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Important SN update for Southland"Mickey Mouse event": Moore lifts lid on Origin returning
Nicholas Quinlan • July 5th, 2025 2:24 pm
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has confirmed that he has received calls throughout the week regarding the possibility of State of Origin returning to the AFL calendar for the first time in 26 years.
It comes after the 18 AFL CEO's discussed bringing it back throughout the week.
In his role as AFLPA President, Moore noted that players were open to the concept but want to ensure that it was not a ‘Mickey Mouse event’ and that it made sense within the AFL calendar.
“I think there is certainly an openness to the concept,” Moore said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“I don't think players largely, aren’t going to stand in the way of it.
“Where it sits in scheduling, what it sort of offers to the fans, broadcasters, all the commercials (sponsors) that sort of stuff definitely needs to be worked through.
"Where does it fit as part of a broader fixturing chat as well, is probably part of it.
“And then, what is the medium and long-term goal of it.
"We don’t want to do it, commit to it and then it be a Mickey Mouse sort of event that happens once in a while.
“It’s sort of like, if we’re going to do it, I think there is consensus that we want it to be a sustainable thing and something that makes sense in the calendar and ultimately serves the fans.
“So, there’s a bit to work through. I know the CEOs have chatted about it this week. So yeah, we’ll see.
“Watch this space on that one, I think, there’s still some chats to be had.”
Since State of Origin was decommissioned back in 1999, there have been plenty of calls for its return.
Although in recent months, it seems plans to bring it back have gathered momentum with Western Australia’s Sports Minister Rita Saffioti saying the WA Government is interested in hosting it in February 2026.
“Everyone is very excited about having a WA State of Origin game in the AFL, there’s some good discussions happening at the moment,” Saffioti said to Fox Sports.
“We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state.
“I know many of the players are actually excited, particularly those based over east, are very keen to play for their state, so I think there’s a huge push from the players.”
