The AFL's state of origin game has come with a marketing blitz, a lobster charter off Rottnest Island, some champions saying all the right things, and vague and fading memories of the concept's glory years. There's a dearth of sporting offerings at this time of year. The T20 World Cup, the fourth in five years, is too bloated and politically riven to capture our attention. In footy, February is a time for puff pieces and flogging memberships. A state game fills that hole, at least in theory. But every time the AFL throws up or recycles another idea like this, and every time there’s a wildcard fixture, a tacked-on round, or another analysis show, it begs the question – who actually asked for this? The first is an administration that’s increasingly NRL-conscious. The AFL season is increasingly predictable and formulaic, a competition where the same clubs tend to contend each year. I wonder if this is an attempt to recreate what once was – an era of suburban tribalism and state versus state. There’s a growing sense that footballers are no longer tied to their club, but that they’re part of a program. In the 80s and early 90s, state football meant something. It didn’t always mean the same things to the same players, or to the same states. But it was rich with meaning and drama. And it showcased how differently football could be played in different leagues and conditions. The stadium will be full and the scores will be high, but it still won’t mean anything. And when it doesn’t mean anything, we’re left with an exhibition game, a footballing version of a Nick Kyrgios doubles match. That should suffice for the middle of February 2026. The doubt is whether it works next February and the February after that.
