{"id":313073,"date":"2025-11-27T22:39:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T22:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/313073\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T22:39:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T22:39:15","slug":"melbourne-star-sidesteps-origin-selection-criteria-to-become-eligible-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/313073\/","title":{"rendered":"Melbourne star sidesteps Origin selection criteria to become eligible – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett<\/a> has unexpectedly been granted availability to participate in next year’s State of Origin clash between Western Australia and Victoria, despite not initially fitting the selection criteria.<\/p>\n

The AFL’s criteria state that eligibility is determined by the junior club the player was drafted from, not where he was born<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pickett was drafted out of Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, despite growing up in Quairading, Western Australia.<\/p>\n

Channel 9 reporter Paddy Sweeney revealed that Dean Cox<\/a> and WA will get the opportunity to select the Demons star.<\/p>\n

Ironically, Pickett has flirted with a move to the western state, and has previously hoped to join Fremantle.<\/p>\n

“He’s very happy about it,” Sweeney told 9News Perth.<\/p>\n

“The AFL<\/a> has given the Melbourne superstar the green light to pull on the black and gold, with Pickett identifying as a West Australian and a proud Noongar man.<\/p>\n

“The 24-year-old requested the league to allow him a special privilege due to his close W.A ties.<\/p>\n

How Kysaiah Pickett campaigned the AFL over State of Origin eligibility.<\/p>\n

The superstar cleared to play for WA, despite being drafted from South Australia.@9NewsPerth<\/a> @FootyonNine<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ilb5pDvRcS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Paddy Sweeney (@SweeneyPaddy9) November 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

“Pickett spent the majority of his childhood in Quairading in W.A’s wheat belt and returns every year to see his mother.<\/p>\n

“No doubt he is a massive inclusion for W.A.”<\/p>\n

It will be a massive boost to the WA, who have already announced Carlton captain Patrick Cripps<\/a>, Fremantle star Shai Bolton<\/a>, Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass<\/a>, Western Bulldogs<\/a> key forward Aaron Naughton<\/a> and Sydney midfielder Chad Warner<\/a> in the side.<\/p>\n

Opposing them will be a VIC outfit littered with the competition’s best players, headed by Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli<\/a>, who will line up alongside Collingwood’s Nick Daicos<\/a>, Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters<\/a>, Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell<\/a> and Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pickett’s eligibility for WA may mean that SA, who is tipped to feature in the State of Origin in the years to come, will miss out on his services.<\/p>\n

The State of Origin clash between Victoria and Western Australia is slated for February 14th, 2026, at Optus Stadium.<\/p>\n

CURRENT WESTERN AUSTRALIA SQUAD<\/p>\n

Tom Barrass<\/a><\/p>\n

Shai Bolton<\/a><\/p>\n

Patrick Cripps<\/a><\/p>\n

Aaron Naughton<\/a><\/p>\n

Chad Warner<\/a><\/p>\n

CURRENT VICTORIA SQUAD<\/p>\n

Marcus Bontempelli<\/a><\/p>\n

Zak Butters<\/a><\/p>\n

Jeremy Cameron<\/a><\/p>\n

Matt Rowell<\/a><\/p>\n

Nick Daicos<\/a><\/p>\n