Push from stars to bring back State of Origin footy thwarted in favour of International Rules Adam Baldwin
Herald Sun
April 24, 2014 8:30PMTHE AFL has blocked an attempt by the AFLPA to revive State of Origin football next year, despite overwhelming support from the competition’s biggest stars.
The AFLPA believed it presented a strong model and had unanimous support from the players, but the AFL executive instead committed to the revamped International Rules series.
Resistance by AFL clubs to a pre-season representative football concept and scheduling difficulties around the six-week 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup are the main roadblocks.
The AFLPA is left disappointed by the outcome, as it saw representative football as the ideal enter’ to the 2015 season, but remains committed to it’s proposal and is confident of its inclusion in the 2016 pre-season.
“It’s a decision of the current AFL executive, but that’s not to say this position won’t change the following year. We’ll continue to lobby for support from the AFL with a view to 2016,” acting AFLPA chief Prendergast said.
An AFL spokesman last night said the league are focused on the International Rules Series in November, but remain open to other concepts.
“We are open to discuss representative options for 2016 and no determination will be made on that until well into 2015.”
The AFLPA’s representative football proposal featured a traditional State of Origin carnival played over three years or a City vs. Country showcase game.
Under the proposal, Victoria and South Australia would play at Etihad Stadium or Adelaide Oval in the first year, Western Australia and The Allies at Patersons Stadium in the second year, with the winners to play off in a final in the third year.
Alternatively, the City vs. Country concept would be played every second or third year and while it doesn’t evoke the same emotion as State of Origin, players are enthused by the opportunity to reunite with junior teammates.
In a survey of 40 players likely to be selected, the AFLPA found 54 per cent prefer State of Origin, 38 per cent in favour of City v Country and the remainder supportive of either concept.
Sixty-eight per cent of players want representative football to be staged every year.
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is one of these players and while he acknowledges the issues at club level, he feels the concept is worth fighting for.
“I’ve been a big supporter of this. While I understand it’s not without its challenges, and that we need to work through these issues, I don’t think this should stop it from going ahead. I’m confident we’ll get there eventually and I’m it’ll be exciting for everyone involved once we do,” Pendlebury said.
In a bid to alleviate the burden on the clubs, the number of players from each would be capped at four, but players not released by their clubs may be ineligible for the following weekend’s games.
The proposal also includes plans to broadcast the team selection process and provide fans with the opportunity to select interchange players by voting online.
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