{"id":385576,"date":"2026-01-01T22:28:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T22:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/385576\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T22:28:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T22:28:57","slug":"victoria-adds-more-star-power-to-squad-ahead-of-aami-afl-origin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/385576\/","title":{"rendered":"Victoria adds more star power to squad ahead of AAMI AFL Origin"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                                Noah Anderson celebrates a goal during Gold Coast&#8217;s clash with Essendon in round 24, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n<p>The anticipation for AAMI AFL Origin continues to build, with Victoria today confirming a further nine players who will join the \u2018Big V\u2019 squad to face Western Australia on February 14 at Optus Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>Melbourne premiership captain Max Gawn headlines the latest contingent of Victorian players to be announced, with the eight-time All Australian to be joined in the midfield by back-to-back Brisbane premiership star Hugh McCluggage, Gold Coast SUNS captain Noah Anderson and two-time Geelong Best and Fairest winner Max Holmes.<\/p>\n<p>Victoria\u2019s defensive stocks have also been bolstered with the inclusion of 2022 premiership Cat and five-time All Australian Tom Stewart and Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering, while St Kilda two-time All Australian Jack Sinclair will add speed and class across half back.<\/p>\n<p>Up forward, inaugural GIANT, three-time All Australian and four-time GWS leading goalkicker Toby Greene will play a key role for Victoria and will be joined inside 50 by Western Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcy, who follows in the footsteps of his father in playing state representative football, with Luke representing South Australia twice in the 1990s.<\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s announcement brings Victoria and Western Australia\u2019s squads to 14, following the confirmation of nine West Australian players on Wednesday, headlined by the West Coast Eagles Liam Baker, Fremantle\u2019s Luke Jackson and Brisbane\u2019s Charlie Cameron.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell was unveiled as Victoria\u2019s assistant coach, who will work alongside head coach Chris Scott as preparations continue for the blockbuster return of Origin football.<\/p>\n<p>Victoria coach Chris Scott said he is happy with the balance and depth of the Victorian squad so far, while acknowledging there are some tough selections decisions ahead.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to have more than half of our squad locked in, and it\u2019s coming together as a well-balanced team that we feel represents what Victorian football is all about,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam and I will sit down with Garry Lyon in the coming weeks to lock away what the final squad could look like, and with the depth of talent available, there are going to be some very tough calls to make, but it\u2019s what makes the return of Origin football such an exciting prospect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2026, AAMI AFL Origin will be delivered with the support of the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA, and showcase the best of the state to fans all over the country.<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 AAMI AFL Origin game will be broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox, as well as 7Plus and Kayo streaming platforms, spotlighting Perth and its world-class sporting facilities to the rest of the nation. The match will begin at 4:40pm AWST\/7:40pm AEDT. Tickets for the AAMI AFL Origin are on sale now, for more information head to Origin.AFL.<\/p>\n<p>VICTORIAN SQUAD<\/p>\n<p>Noah Anderson<br \/>AFL Club: Gold Coast SUNS<br \/>State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers<br \/>Community Club: Hawthorn Citizens<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Bontempelli<br \/>AFL Club: Western Bulldogs<br \/>State League Club: Northern Knights<br \/>Community Club: Eltham<\/p>\n<p>Zak Butters <br \/>AFL Club: Port Adelaide<br \/>State League Club: Western Jets<br \/>Community Club: Darley<\/p>\n<p>Jeremy Cameron<br \/>AFL Club: Geelong Cats<br \/>State League Club: GWV Rebels (formerly North Ballarat)<br \/>Community Club: Dartmoor<\/p>\n<p>Sam Darcy<br \/>AFL Club: Western Bulldogs<br \/>State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers<br \/>Community Club: Glen Iris<\/p>\n<p>Max Gawn<br \/>AFL Club: Melbourne<br \/>State League Club: Sandringham Dragons<br \/>Community Club: Ormond<\/p>\n<p>Toby Greene<br \/>AFL Club: GWS GIANTS<br \/>State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers<br \/>Community Club: Ashburton<\/p>\n<p>Max Holmes<br \/>AFL Club: Geelong Cats<br \/>State League Club: Sandrinham Dragons<br \/>Community Club: Prahran<\/p>\n<p>Hugh McCluggage<br \/>AFL Club: Brisbane Lions<br \/>State League Club: GWV Rebels (formerly North Ballarat)<br \/>Community Club: South Warrnambool<\/p>\n<p>Matt Rowell<br \/>AFL Club: Gold Coast SUNS<br \/>State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers<br \/>Community Club: Canterbury<\/p>\n<p>Jack Sinclair<br \/>AFL Club: St Kilda<br \/>State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers<br \/>Community Club: Kew Comets<\/p>\n<p>Tom Stewart<br \/>AFL Club: Geelong Cats<br \/>State League Club: Geelong VFL<br \/>Community Club: South Barwon<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Weitering<br \/>AFL Club: Carlton<br \/>State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays<br \/>Community Club: Mount Martha<\/p>\n<p>Official Accommodation Partner ALL Accor offers fans access to a variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets with 12 hotels and apartments across Perth. Travelling fans can choose from brands like Art Series, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, and ibis. Visit ALL.com to book, plus unlock a special member rate by joining Accor\u2019s loyalty program, ALL Accor, for free.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As the Official Airline Partner of the AFL, Virgin Australia is focused on offering value and choice for footy fans travelling to the event. To book your flight to 2026 AAMI AFL Origin, visit www.virginaustralia.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Noah Anderson celebrates a goal during Gold Coast&#8217;s clash with Essendon in round 24, 2025. 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