Tony Lockett and Dermott Brereton of Victoria pose after winning the 1989 State of Origin match between Victoria and South Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia in 1989. Getty Images
The AFL has confirmed the future of Origin footy, with South Australia to return after 28 years and face Western Australia in Perth.
The rivalry will resume at Optus Stadium next year, before South Australia host Victoria at Adelaide Oval in 2029, and then Western Australia take on Victoria in Perth in 2030.
The fixture confirmation follows the return of the Origin concept earlier this year, when Victoria beat Western Australia in front of 58,141 fans at Optus Stadium.
It means the likes of South Australian stars Lachie Neale, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jordan Dawson and Jason Horne-Francis could feature in the Origin arena for the first time.
“State football is one of the great traditions of our game … Origin inspires passion, state pride and draws upon decades of rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our greatest players,” AFL boss Andrew Dillon said.
“Locking in the structure for the next three years provides fans, clubs, players and stakeholders certainty on Origin, allowing them to embrace the state rivalry and celebrate our great game.”
AFL’s Origin Future
* 2027 – Western Australia v South Australia at Optus Stadium
* 2028 – South Australia v Victoria at Adelaide Oval
* 2029 – Western Australia v Victoria at Optus Stadium
By Murray Wenzel in Brisbane.
