State of Origin could have shorter quarters, bigger squads and even a cap on the number of players from the one team, as part of a raft of measures aimed at allaying injury concerns from clubs, as South Australia returns to the representative footy.
The AFL has locked in three further years of State of Origin footy, with Perth playing host to Western Australia vs South Australia in February next year, Adelaide Oval hosting the first clash between South Australia and Victoria in 29 years in 2028, and a return matchup between Western Australia and the Big V in 2029, again in Perth.
In Origin’s return earlier this year, both GWS defender Sam Taylor and Adelaide recruit Callum Ah Chee sustained injuries that have impacted their campaigns for their clubs. Gold Coast star Matt Rowell also suffered a fractured finger requiring surgery.
Crows great Mark Ricciuto, who has been named as the chairman of selectors for the South Australian team, said there would be changes implemented to ease any concerns from clubs.
“There were a few injuries but I think the AFL is going to look at changing a few of the rules,” he said.
“Adding a few more players, probably making the game a little bit shorter.
“Hopefully [that will] minimise any injuries.”
While the 2027 Origin clash has again been scheduled for February, AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley said the game would probably be held later in the month as part of these changes.
“The number of players available in the squad, the time, the length of the game, the coaching structures and the like we’ve taken all that feedback on board,” he said.
Harley said the AFL could be open to a cap on the number of players selected from one club, with the Crows keen on this given they could otherwise have a significant amount of players represented in a South Australia team.
“That’s been discussed,” Harley said.
“I don’t think that necessarily will come into play, but if the feedback is overwhelming it is something we will look at.”
Harley also said the possibility of more than one Origin game a year had been discussed, with NSW and Queensland footy figures said to be keen to revive an Allies side.
But the historic Origin game at Adelaide Oval poses some challenges in 2028.
Any planned date for the South Australia and Victoria game is set to fall in a period when cricket has primary access to Adelaide Oval, and while the relationship is nowadays better between the two sports, they have had their run-ins in recent years.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas today played down any notion of tension between the administrations, stating: “The truth is Adelaide Oval has brought SACA and the SANFL closer than they have ever been in the past and it will be a relationship that continues to flourish.
“I’m sure there have been challenges around scheduling but this is something we are capable of resolving, and I have no doubt that the parties will do that.”