AFL Chief Andrew Dillon Expresses Strong Interest in Bringing Back State of Origin

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon is keen to see the return of representative football and is taking steps to make it a reality.

The league has not seen a consistent State of Origin format since the 1990s, while Australia’s international match against Ireland last took place in 2017.

Nonetheless, the positive response to February’s Indigenous All Stars match against Fremantle has reignited discussions about representative footy.

Dillon, who took the reins as AFL chief in 2023, expressed a personal desire to revive representative football.

“This is something I would really love to see happen, if feasible,” Dillon remarked in a conversation with SEN.

“When I chat with players from the Hall of Fame, particularly those who played in the ’80s and ’90s, they often reminisce about the representative footy they experienced.

“I believe that exploring international rules or representative footy could be tremendously beneficial for the league, and I’m confident that fans would enthusiastically support it.

“The All-Star game held in Perth this year demonstrated its viability, as fans truly engaged when the stakes were high for both players and clubs.

“We’re currently collaborating with our clubs and players to get this right because I think it could be a fantastic addition, just like Gather Round has proven to be an extraordinary enhancement to the football calendar.”

Dillon emphasised that the essence of its success lies in ensuring it feels special, stating that creating memorable opportunities for players is essential for garnering fan support.

“If a player has a 12-year career, I want them to have the chance to represent their state multiple times and possibly represent their country,” he added.

“It’s also about making it a special moment, where it feels like a unique opportunity. That was a key element of State of Origin in the past; players felt they couldn’t miss out, as they knew they might not have many chances to play again.

“It’s a delicate balance. It’s crucial to create a situation that resonates with players, as that will in turn resonate with fans.”

Over the past two decades, the AFL has attempted various one-off representative matches, including the Victoria versus The Allies contests in 2008 and 2020.