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Camera IconReece Whitby, Rita Saffioti and Ron Alexander visit the soon-to-be displayed State of Origin exhibit at the State Library. Credit: Ian Munro\/The West Australian<\/p>\nAs excitement over AFL Origin in Perth next Saturday reaches fever pitch, the WA Museum and State Library have both unveiled exhibits honouring the history of State football.<\/p>\n
A display is now open at the museum which has pride of place taken by Rob Wiley\u2019s jumper from the inaugural State of Origin clash against Victoria in 1977.<\/p>\n
Other items on show include a page from the Weekend News proudly trumpeting the Sandgropers\u2019 94-point thrashing of the visitors at Subiaco Oval and a match program from the day, complete with scores written in.<\/p>\n
The museum will also have a display showing off some of WA\u2019s football history at Optus Stadium on the day of the game.<\/p>\n
The library\u2019s exhibit will open next Tuesday and features several items from the career of icon Graham \u2018Polly\u2019 Farmer, including a telegram informing him he had been selected as the State\u2019s vice-captain and his Simpson Medal from the 1959 WAFL grand final.<\/p>\n
WA football legend Ron Alexander, who both played for and coached the State in Origin, took an early look at the items on Friday, alongside Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti and Tourism Minister Reece Whitby.<\/p>\n
Both WA\u2019s coach in Dean Cox and one of his assistants Justin Longmuir have made a point of saying they will look to call on the State\u2019s football history ahead of the game and educate the current crop of Sandgropers on the feats of those who came before them in the black and gold.<\/p>\n
Camera IconReece Whitby, Rita Saffioti and Ron Alexander visit the soon-to-be displayed State of Origin exhibit at the State Library. Credit: Ian Munro\/The West Australian<\/p>\n
But Alexander said he had no doubt the players would be able to motivate themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players don\u2019t need any messages from anyone, they\u2019ll be going hard as,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be a good game to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon on Thursday refused to lock in State of Origin as an annual affair moving forward, but Saffioti said she would continue to strongly advocate to have the showpiece event in Perth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe State of Origin has a role in modern-day football,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very keen to continue that relationship. Of course, Western Australia winning will help do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Get a FREE WA AAMI AFL Origin Guernsey worth RRP $130 when you sign up for a 12-month subscription to thewest.com.au<\/p>\n
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