The much-anticipated AFL Origin is officially back on the national stage in 2026, ending a 27-year hiatus for the classic state showdown. Western Australia will host Victoria at Perth’s iconic Optus Stadium in what promises to be a blockbuster clash, bringing together some of the AFL’s biggest stars under one roof. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of representative footy, and the excitement is palpable.
Here’s your complete guide to the 2026 AFL Origin, including match timings, predicted line-ups, player selections, and broadcasting details.
Match Start Time
The 2026 AFL Origin match kicks off at 7.40pm AEDT on Saturday, February 14. For fans in Perth, the game will begin at 4.40pm AWST, allowing for a perfect mid-afternoon spectacle.
The last time Victoria and Western Australia faced off in an official Origin match was in 1992, when the Vics dominated WA by 67 points at the MCG. For Western Australia, this marks the first official Origin game since 1998, making the return all the more historic.
The match is already sold out, with Optus Stadium expected to host a full-capacity crowd eager to witness the revival of this classic rivalry.
How to Watch
For those planning to catch the action live, the match will be broadcast in 4K Ultra HD on Fox Footy, and available via Kayo Sports and Foxtel (504).
Fox Footy’s coverage will start at 6.30pm AEDT, featuring a highly experienced commentary team:
Play-by-play commentators: Anthony Hudson and Adam Papalia
Special comments: Jonathan Brown and Jason Dunstall
Host and boundary reporter: Kath Loughnan
Fans can expect in-depth insights and expert analysis from the moment the pre-game coverage begins.
Perth Weather Forecast
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Perth is set to enjoy a sunny day with a top of 33 degrees, though there’s a slight chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Spectators are advised to stay hydrated while enjoying what promises to be an epic display of footy.
AFL Origin History and Return
The last official AFL Origin match occurred in May 1999, when Victoria hosted South Australia at the MCG. In wet conditions, Victoria prevailed 17.19 (121) to 10.7 (67) in front of 26,063 fans.
The concept of Origin declined in the 2000s due to scheduling pressures, the national expansion of the AFL, and player availability. Teams like Fremantle (1995), Port Adelaide (1997), and the growing demands of the premiership season contributed to the hiatus.
Despite this, Victorian teams have occasionally been assembled for one-off events, including the 2008 Dream Team match and the 2020 Bushfire Relief match at Marvel Stadium. In 2020, Victoria defeated an All-Stars side by 46 points, with Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, and Tom Papley delivering standout performances.
When the AFL confirmed the return of Origin in 2026, CEO Andrew Dillon stated, “Ultimately it’s about us playing games that the fans want and we know that the fans will flock to this game when we get the best players from WA and Victoria on a massive stage.”
The decision to host the match in Perth follows the successful 2025 Indigenous All-Stars clash, which drew 37,865 fans to Optus Stadium.
Team Selections and Key Players
The Western Australia team is coached by Sydney Swans boss Dean Cox, with captaincy led by dual Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps. WA’s squad boasts stars like Kysaiah Pickett, Luke Jackson, and Chad Warner.
Victoria is coached by dual premiership Geelong mentor Chris Scott, with seven-time All-Australian Marcus Bontempelli leading the team. Victoria features elite players such as Patrick Dangerfield, Nick Daicos, and Zak Butters.
All 18 AFL clubs are represented in the match, with the Western Bulldogs supplying the most players (six), followed by Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast, and the Giants (five each).
Due to injury, Victoria will miss Jeremy Cameron, replaced by Gold Coast’s Ben King, while WA will be without West Coast recruit Brandon Starcevich because of a partial ACL tear.
Western Australia Players and Jumper Numbers
Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle)
Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Stephen Coniglio (GWS Giants)
Callum Ah Chee (Adelaide Crows)
Chad Warner (Sydney Swans)
Jordan Clark (Fremantle)
Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs)
Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Bradley Hill (St Kilda)
Darcy Cameron (Collingwood)
Samuel Taylor (GWS Giants)
Lawson Humphries (Geelong Cats)
Mitchell Georgiades (Port Adelaide)
Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
Wil Powell (Gold Coast Suns)
Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
Nathan Broad (Richmond)
Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
Tom Barrass (Hawthorn)
Tim English (Western Bulldogs)
Jake Waterman (West Coast Eagles)
Liam Baker (West Coast Eagles)
Victoria Players and Jumper Numbers
Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Lachie Ash (GWS Giants)
Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn)
Max Holmes (Geelong Cats)
Noah Anderson (Gold Coast Suns)
Matthew Rowell (Gold Coast Suns)
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs)
Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
Joshua Battle (Hawthorn)
Sam Collins (Gold Coast Suns)
Bailey Smith (Geelong Cats)
Ben King (Gold Coast Suns)
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats)
Tristan Xerri (North Melbourne)
Tom Stewart (Geelong Cats)
Predicted Line-Ups
Western Australia:
B: Lawson Humphries, Tom Barrass, Nathan Broad
HB: Liam Baker, Sam Taylor, Jordan Clark
C: Bradley Hill, Patrick Cripps, Wil Powell
HF: Shai Bolton, Aaron Naughton, Kysaiah Pickett
F: Mitch Georgiades, Jesse Hogan, Charlie Cameron
FOLL: Darcy Cameron, Luke Jackson, Chad Warner
I/C: Callum Ah Chee, Stephen Coniglio, Tim English, Rory Lobb, Jaeger O’Meara, Trent Rivers, Jake Waterman
Victoria:
B: Tom Stewart, Sam Collins, Josh Battle
HB: Lachie Ash, Jacob Weitering, Jack Sinclair
C: Caleb Serong, Matthew Rowell, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Zak Butters, Ben King, Noah Anderson
F: Jack Gunston, Sam Darcy, Patrick Dangerfield
FOLL: Max Gawn, Marcus Bontempelli, Nick Daicos
I/C: Toby Greene, Max Holmes, Zach Merrett, Ed Richards, Tristan Xerri, Blake Hardwick, Bailey Smith
Medals and Trophy
The Graham Moss Medal will go to WA’s best player, presented by the Brownlow Medallist himself, Graham Moss. The EJ Whitten Medal will be awarded to Victoria’s best, presented by Ted Whitten Jnr, son of the legendary EJ Whitten.
The victorious team will lift the Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer Cup, with the trophy presented by Kim Farmer, daughter of AFL Hall of Fame legend Polly Farmer.
Expert Predictions
Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson has tipped Victoria to win by 18 points: “The Vics’ midfield depth will be too strong for WA.”
Graham Moss Medal (WA): Shai Bolton
EJ Whitten Medal (Victoria): Nick Daicos
AFL Origin Odds (as of February 11):
Winner: Western Australia $2.90 | Victoria $1.40
Graham Moss Medal: Kysaiah Pickett $5, Patrick Cripps $7.50, Luke Jackson $8
EJ Whitten Medal: Nick Daicos $7.50, Marcus Bontempelli $8, Sam Darcy $9.50, Hugh McCluggage $10
First Goalkicker: Sam Darcy $9, Ben King $11, Marcus Bontempelli/Toby Greene $13
Fans are in for a thrilling night of top-tier Australian footy as AFL Origin returns in grand style.
