Nearly one month on from the AFL’s first authentic State of Origin fixture for 27 years, clubs are still said to be frustrated by the rivalry’s “ballistic” nature which saw some of their star players injured.

The highly-anticipated max on February 14 saw the absolute best of the best lock horns in hot Perth conditions at Optus Stadium, though has left some teams hamstrung — literally — with stars unable to suit up for their respective season openers.

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While expected to return this Saturday evening for Round 1, Geelong captain and Victoria midfielder Patrick Dangerfield sustained a minor calf complaint that saw absent in the Cats’ 56-point loss to Gold Coast last Friday night.

Western Australian Sam Taylor and GWS have been dealt a much more frustrating blow, with scans revealing a high-grade hamstring strain that will sideline the intercept defender until at least Round 5.

“Clubs initially toed the line on State of Origin because the players loved it, but it’s now a quiet revolt,” On The Couch’s Jon Ralph told Fox Footy on Monday night.

“Patrick Dangerfield is the latest player who we can trace his calf injury back to that State of Origin game. I spoke to a lot of clubs; it’s not just the game in mid-February, it’s the ballistic nature of it.

“Three of those Gold Coast players, and two of them who came into the squad late (had) record GPS data. Sam Taylor is out for potentially a third of the season, and GWS is now asking for some kind of compensation regarding injury allowance on his deal (with approximately) $400k of missed earnings.

Victoria beat WA in epic Origin clash | 03:02

Taylor’s injury was the unwanted cherry on top for the Giants injury list last month, amid a stretch that saw Tom Green (ACL, season), Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford (both hamstring) all sidelined in quick succession.

Star midfielder Finn Callaghan was also sidelined from the club’s two pre-season fixtures, but did front up for the Giants’ Opening Round win over Hawthorn.

“Clubs are saying: ‘It won’t be that we’ll pull players out, we’ll just make up fanciful excuses if it is that we don’t get less game time (for players).

“Mark Evans, the CEO of Gold Coast, tells Fox Footy: ‘We love the fact our players are involved. We have to make sure the timing of it and game load is something that we encourage clubs and players to continue to support it.’”

Reigning Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell suffered a shattered broken finger during the marquee fixture which has only just seen him get out of a delicate cast, Carlton’s Jacob Weitering was dealt a rib fracture, while Adelaide recruit Callum Ah Chee sustained a low-grade hamstring strain.

Bailey Smith (calf) and Sam Darcy (back) also pulled up sore, but overcame doubt to front up for Geelong and the Western Bulldogs respectively last weekend.

Sam Darcy of Victoria (left) attempts to mark the ball against Sam Taylor of Western Australia (right) during the 2026 AFL Origin match at Optus Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Speaking earlier in the evening on Fox Footy, three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick was supportive of the Origin concept, but

“I love State of Origin, I just didn’t love the timing. It didn’t suit the build-up for our team. We really want our players to play, but probably at the right time,” Hardwick

“It’s really challenging when we’re preparing for Round 0, to have our player three to four weeks out playing the fastest game that’s ever been recorded on GPS. They probably just weren’t ready for it.

“We can’t compromise our season for a game that, although important, is not ready to be played at that time.”

Essendon coach Brad Scott added: “I thought in the lead-up that we had stumbled on the perfect time of it. A lot of people have talked about the middle of the year. I think if you’re a top four side in the middle of the year and you get an injury in origin, that would be an issue.

“I think it’s always going to be a debate … but I’d love it to fit somewhere.”