South Australia returns to AAMI State of Origin

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia is back on the AAMI State of Origin stage.

After nearly three decades, the cherished red guernsey will again feature at elite level when South Australia clashes with Western Australia in Perth next year before hosting Victoria at Adelaide Oval in 2028.

The AFL, in conjunction with the State Government, confirmed South Australia would have its chance to return to State of Origin after Western Australia hosted Victoria in February this year.

”Like all South Australians, everyone at SANFL is incredibly excited to have the Croweaters back on the State of Origin stage,” SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said.

”Our State has an incredibly rich history in State of Origin battles – dating back half a century – so to see the cherished red guernsey grace the national stage again will be a special moment.

”It will not only be a proud occasion for the South Australian players and coaches selected, but also the SANFL and Community Clubs who have played a significant role in fostering their development to reach the elite level.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the AFL was excited to welcome South Australia to the AAMI State of Origin series in 2027.

“Origin inspires passion, State pride and draws upon decades of rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our greatest players,” Dillon said.

“I would like to thank Premier Roger Cook and the Western Australian Government for their support in delivering this exciting event for our code in 2027 and 2029, and to Premier Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian Government for their ongoing partnership and bringing elite-level state footy back to Adelaide in 2028.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was excited to host SA’s arch-rival, the Big V, at Adelaide Oval in 2028, following on from the State’s success of hosting AFL Gather Round since 2023.

“The return of Origin presents another significant opportunity to put our state in the national spotlight, and welcome thousands of thousands of people into South Australia to enjoy the best of what we have to offer,” Malinauskas said.

“Our hotels, restaurants bars and pubs will benefit from Victorians flooding into SA to witness Origin on the most spectacular of stages at the Adelaide Oval.”

The AAMI South Australian team looms as a talented line-up with plenty to consider for the honour of captaining their State including Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson, Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee, St Kilda’s Callum Wilkie or Brisbane Lions premiership skipper Lachie Neale.

Saints star Nasiah Wanagneen-Milera, coming off a sensational 46-disposal, four-goal effort in Round 20, Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis and Crow Izak Rankine will be bring plenty of speed, flair and skill to South Australia’s side.

As the two South Australians currently coaching AFL clubs, Collingwood’s Craig McRae and Adelaide’s Matthew Nicks are in the frame to head up the coaching panel next February.

South Australia last appeared in State of Origin football against Victoria at the MCG in 1999, succumbing to the Vics by 54 points while the last meeting against the Sandgropers was a 36-point win at Football Park in 1998.

On that occasion, SA was captained by Crows premiership ruckman Shaun Rehn and coached by Port Adelaide legend Russell Ebert, with Sydney Swans star Michael O’Loughlin awarded the Fos Williams Medal as the Croweaters’ best afield.

2027
Western Australia v South Australia in Perth (Optus Stadium)

2028 
South Australia v Victoria in Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)

2029 
Western Australia v Victoria in Perth (Optus Stadium)