Sydney coach Dean Cox says there’s no greater honour in football than being able to represent where you came from, following his appointment as WA coach for next year’s State of Origin clash against Victoria. 

The Dampier product will coach the side after just one season as senior coach, after taking over from John Longmire at Sydney last year. He’ll go up against Geelong premiership coach Chris Scott, who was named Victoria’s coach. 

State of Origin returns after a 26-year hiatus, with it scheduled to be played in February next year at Optus Stadium, spurred on by the success of the Indigenous All Stars game that preceded the 2025 season.  

Speaking to SportFM, Cox says he is humbled to be named WA coach and is looking forward to getting started.

“I’m a proud West Australian, I’ve watched a lot of State of Origin games when I was young and idolised a lot of those players towards the end of my teen years,” he said.  

“When I got to represent the West Coast Eagles and play alongside a few of them who have represented the state. I couldn’t do it at under-18s level, and I couldn’t do it as a footballer, so it’s great to be doing it as a coach.” 

Several names have been thrown around for possible inclusions in the WA side, with the AFL confirming players would be selected based on the location of the club they were drafted from.

It is heavily speculated that Carlton captain and dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps, originally from Northampton, is a frontrunner to captain the Western Australian side. 

However, he says his primary focus is getting the best talent available to represent the side, injuries and pre-season workload management permitting. 

“I don’t speak a lot to other clubs, certainly with the players over (at Sydney), but our players are really open to it. I think that’s, that is the first thing we need to make sure that we can get the best talent available,” he said. 

“With that being ticked off by the football clubs, but I think once it does get into motion and the wheels start turning, then the players will jump on board, and they’d love to be a part of it. 

“They get to play against the best, with the best, and represent where they’re from, which there’s no greater thing as a football team.” 

With West Australian players dispersed around the country, Cox has revealed some of the players he has an eye on. 

“I’ve got to have a really good look at the list, but the experience of Cripps is obviously probably one of the high points,” he said.

“The ability to coach some key forwards, in Aaron Naughton and Jesse Hogan, some key backs, Tom Barrass and Sam Taylor and running halfbacks in Jordan Clark. 

“Maybe get Luke Jackson roaming around where he wants to roam and whether he’s on ball, whether by ruck and forward.” 

“There’s some obviously unbelievable talent, and it’s just going to be great to get them the gel together and play a really exciting brand of footy with plenty of energy that can please and make the WA faithful proud.”

IMAGE: Sydney Swans