Optus Stadium, Perth – Victoria defeated Western Australia by 24 points in a highly anticipated AFL State of Origin clash on , at a sold-out Optus Stadium. The match, which concluded with a score of 18.17 (125) to 15.11 (101), has been hailed as a successful revival of the Origin format, drawing a crowd of 58,141.
The game was marked by fierce intensity and physical play, with players from both sides demonstrating a clear commitment to victory. A concerning incident occurred in the first quarter when Carlton defender Jacob Weitering was stretchered off after a collision, requiring hospital treatment for rib and shoulder concerns. This underscored the uncompromising nature of the contest, dispelling any doubts about the players’ willingness to put their bodies on the line.
Despite a spirited fightback from Western Australia in the final quarter, reducing the margin to just six points, Victoria ultimately proved too strong. Key contributions from Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, who kicked a crucial 50-meter goal, and late goals from Caleb Serong and Zach Merrett sealed the win for the Big V.
Victoria’s victory was built on a dominant midfield performance, led by Nick Daicos (38 disposals, seven clearances, one goal), Marcus Bontempelli (30 disposals, one goal), Zak Butters (27 disposals, one goal), and Zach Merrett (20 disposals, two goals). Forward Ben King also impressed with four goals.
Western Australia’s Jesse Hogan delivered a dazzling performance, finishing with 5.0, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Victoria’s overall strength. Brad Hill (26 disposals, 457m gained) and captain Patrick Cripps (20 disposals, nine clearances) also played significant roles for the home side.
Lachie Ash of Victoria was awarded the EJ Whitten Medal as best afield, while Hogan received the Graham Moss Medal for his efforts for Western Australia.
The match wasn’t without its heated moments. Zak Butters, speaking post-game, described a physical exchange with his housemate and Western Australian player Mitch Georgiades. “I don’t know why I picked on him. He’s too big for me. I turned one over early and my housemate Mitch Georgiades had me in a headlock for a little bit, he’s been telling me for a couple of weeks he was going to do that and he did,” Butters said.
Butters also highlighted the courage displayed by Jacob Weitering, stating that his willingness to contest a mark in the first quarter, resulting in injury, demonstrated the seriousness with which the players were approaching the contest. “It was a good contest, especially from some of the boys, that was a courageous effort from Weiters to go back with the flight in the first quarter. If you don’t think the boys were taking it serious, that was the example. It was a great contest.”
The return of State of Origin football has been a topic of discussion within the AFL community, and the success of this match suggests a promising future for the format. Butters expressed his enthusiasm for a rematch, simply stating, “Let’s run it back.”
The game provided a platform for players to showcase their skills alongside some of the league’s biggest stars. Butters expressed his excitement at the opportunity to play with players he normally competes against, specifically mentioning Nick Daicos and Matt Rowell. “I was just so excited to play with a number of these boys. You play against them and you think ‘What would it be like to play with some of them?’ Like Nick Daicos and Matty Rowell – he’s one of my favourite players. We played some junior games together for the Big V, so it was great to get back together.”
The AFL’s decision to revive State of Origin appears to have resonated with fans and players alike, offering a unique and compelling spectacle that differs from the regular season. The intensity and passion displayed on the field suggest that this format has the potential to become a regular fixture on the AFL calendar.
The match also served as a reminder of the physical demands of Australian Rules Football, with Weitering’s injury highlighting the risks involved. While the focus was on the competitive spirit and skill on display, the health and safety of the players remain a paramount concern.
