State of Origin: Rita Saffioti bids to hold match in Perth next year

West Australian

11 hours ago

Western Australia is kicking goals in its bid to hold an Aussie rules State of Origin match in Perth next year.
The Sunday Times understands the State Government has received a detailed proposal from the AFL for a game to be played at Optus Stadium in February.
It's understood the proposal was finalised and put to the Government after Sport and Recreation Minister and Treasurer Rita Saffioti met with AFL boss Andrew Dillon in Perth last month.
A WA v Victoria State of Origin is being mooted, in what would be a return of one of the biggest rivalries in Australian sport.
It's understood the discussions centre around how much the WA Government will contribute financially to the event, stadium fees, how many days Victorian AFL players would spend in Perth and how the city would be promoted for the match.
On Saturday, Ms Saffioti refused to give details of negotiations, but made it clear she wants to bring the game back to WA.
She pointed to the success of the Indigenous All-Stars v Dockers exhibition clash in February as proof there would be incredible interest in reviving State of Origin.
'Western Australians absolutely love their AFL and we saw only weeks ago the incredible success of the NRL State of Origin game which drew more than 55,000 to Optus Stadium,' Ms Saffioti told The Sunday Times.
'We also saw the incredible success of the Indigenous All Stars Game earlier this year, and I don't think there would be any better place than Western Australia and Optus Stadium to host a return of State of Origin football.'
The first State of Origin match was in 1977 between Victoria and WA, with the Vics winning a first game by 63 points. Later that same year the boys from the west got their revenge with a 94-point win.
The WA versus Victoria games were legendary, with the late Ted Whitten's 'Stuck it right up em, that's what you did. You stuck it right up em' whenever Victoria beat WA becoming part of footy folklore.
With the WA Government and AFL backing a return of the match, the last remaining hurdle appears to be convincing current coaches and sides, as well as the AFL Players Association, to agree on the Perth match.
With teams already paying mega bucks to stars, the clubs are also concerned about players sustaining serious injuries during the regular season.
'I've previously spoken directly with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and expressed our interest in hosting a State of Origin match,' Ms Saffioti said.
'Those conversations were really positive, but ultimately a decision on whether there is a return of State of Origin football is one for the AFL.'
Already, it has been speculated that Carlton's Patrick Cripps would most likely captain a WA State of Origin side, with Max Gawn, Patrick Dangerfield and Marcus Bontempelli all in the mix to lead the Vics.
The sight of West Coast's Harley Reid potentially playing in a Victorian jumper matched up against WA's Chad Warner, from the Sydney Swans, would in itself be worth the admission fee.
At a Captains Day at the MCG earlier this year, Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield said players were in favour of State of Origin but the timing of the match was crucial.