A Collingwood superstar and Sydney Swans dynamo have become the latest pair to be confirmed for the 2026 AFL Origin match.

Nick Daicos and Chad Warner have been selected to the Victorian and Western Australian teams respectively, meaning there are now five confirmed players on either side ahead of next February’s anticipated fixture.

It comes just days after superstar duo Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps headlined the first batch of big names locked in for the state-versus-state tussle at Optus Stadium.

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Warner, who made his maiden All-Australian appearance last year, will line up for the Black Swans, who will be coached by his Swans mentor Dean Cox.

“I’m pumped and it’s a huge honour to get the chance to represent WA, especially with Coxy as coach,” Warner said on Tuesday.

“Having spoken to a few of my WA teammates, we are all excited to get together as a team and take it to Victoria in front of hopefully a sold-out Optus Stadium, with a loud home crowd drowning out all the travelling Victorian fans.”

Daicos, meanwhile, continues the representative legacy left by his father, Peter, who appeared five time for Victoria throughout his career.

The premiership player and three-time All-Australian is excited to carry that torch as the Victorians and Sandgropers prepare to clash in the first AFL Origin match in 25 years on Saturday, February 14.

“It’s a huge honour to be selected to represent Victoria. Dad always spoke about how special it was to wear the Big V, and to now have the opportunity to do that is very exciting,” Daicos said.

“AFL Origin is something players and fans will love, and I can’t wait to get over to Perth and take on WA in front of a packed Optus Stadium with plenty of Victorians in the stands backing the Big V on the night.”

Nick Daicos and Chad Warner are the latest players to be selected for next February’s AFL Origin blockbuster. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Daicos is joined by Bontempelli, Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and 2025 Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell in a star-studded Victorian midfield, while two-time Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron will spearhead the Big V’s forward line.

As for Western Australia, Cripps will team up with Fremantle’s Shai Bolton, Bulldogs’ Aaron Naughton and Hawthorn’s Tom Barrass, with four players locked in from both sides.

“Growing up in Victoria, you always dream of representing your state alongside the best players in the game, so to now get the chance again is pretty special. I can’t wait to run out there and represent the Big V,” Bontempelli said.

Cripps described it as a “huge honour to be chosen to represent WA”.

“There’s a real excitement around the return of the match and I can’t wait to play alongside Shai, Tom, Aaron and other WA stars come February,” the Blues skipper said.

Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli are locked in for AFL Origin (Photo by Dylan Burns / AFL Photos)Source: AFL Photos

Further players to represent both sides will continue to be announced in the coming weeks.

“After sitting down with (Victorian chairman of selectors) Garry Lyon, it was quickly apparent there’s a phenomenal talent pool to pick from and it’s fantastic to have Marcus, Matt, Zak and Jeremy commit to the Vics,” Victoria coach Chris Scott said.

“Marcus, Matt, Zak and Jeremy are elite players in their own right and embody what is great about our game and what Origin football represents and as we edge closer to the game, there’s a real sense of anticipation building.

“I know I speak for all the boys when I say there’s enormous pride and excitement about pulling on the Big V and representing our state.”

WA coach Dean Cox was thrilled with the “incredible calibre” of names that have already committed to the Origin match.

“With some of the best players available including a dual Brownlow medallist, Premiership stars and All Australians, the excitement and anticipation is really starting to build for the match,” he said.

“There’s more top players to be announced in the squad in the coming weeks and I know the Western Australian players are extremely proud to have the opportunity to represent their state and play in the return of Origin and take it up to the Vics.”

CURRENT WESTERN AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Tom Barrass

Shai Bolton

Patrick Cripps

Aaron Naughton

Chad Warner

CURRENT VICTORIA SQUAD

Marcus Bontempelli

Zak Butters

Jeremy Cameron

Matt Rowell

Nick Daicos