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Important update on 1476AMLyon: The surprise name who’d now make Big V squad
SEN • April 23rd, 2026 10:47 am
Victoria’s chairman of selectors for the 2026 State of Origin clash, Garry Lyon, has revealed the shock name he’d add to the Big V squad if it were picked right now instead of during the pre-season.
After seven rounds of AFL football, Lyon looked back on the team that was picked, given Origin squads used to be selected around this time of the campaign during the format’s heyday.
That name, who no one even considered originally, that would now be well and truly in the squad, is Sydney’s Justin McInerney.
The 25-year-old has had a career-best patch to start this season, averaging 25.8 disposals while ranking first in score involvements and goal assists league-wide.
“If you were playing State of Origin footy back in our day, it is around now where a State of Origin squad would be announced with an eye to the game being played in maybe three or four weeks,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“I know we did it in the pre-season, but if we were doing it now, there's a player playing for the Sydney Swans who pre-season, I don't think anyone would have thought he’d get in. Certainly, his name never got brought up when we were talking about state footy.
“But Justin McInerney, right, if the state squad was named right now, he's in it. Isn't he?”
As well as McInerney, Lyon named a few other Victorians who would be pushing for selection after impressive starts to the season.
“There are a few others,” Lyon said.
“Josh Treacy would be in the squad. Nick Watson, the Wizard, who was discussed at the time but didn't get in. He’d be there.
“Christian Petracca, who didn't play, but his form (would have him in). Finn Callaghan, who I tried (to get in)… even Clayton Oliver has come back.
“I'm not saying they're in the team, but if we're putting a squad together, it used to happen back in the day after about Round 6 or 7.
“The McInerney story is exactly the one that I love about the whole thing.
“Here he is dominating footy, and he's gone from being outside of Heeney, Warner, Gulden and all those jets, to now being slap bang in the middle and would probably get a Victorian State of Origin jumper right now.”
