![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/245a9dc77424f23f4ec226ed4c0d90d56d9e73a0ff3a04ffd72ae9cb4692f3a3.png\")
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says he realises players have the potential for injury while playing pre-season matches, but the feedback from this year\u2019s return of State of Origin football has been overwhelmingly positive.<\/p>\n Dillon joined WA Premier Roger Cook, Sport Minister Rita Saffioti and West Coast legend Glen Jakovich<\/a> on Monday to announce the interstate contest will return to Perth next year with a match between South Australia and a local representative side.<\/p>\n The 2028 match will be played in Adelaide before returning to WA the following year.<\/p>\n Dillon said the players loved the opportunity earlier in the year after the match resumed from hiatus when WA took on Victoria<\/a> at Optus Stadium in February.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got good feedback in relation to length of game, squad sizes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cActually – one of the best bits of feedback we got was the players wanted to spend more time together as a group.<\/p>\n \u201cInjuries are part of AFL football, and they can happen at any time.<\/p>\n \u201cI think what our players do love is that ability to come together, represent their states, and perform at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n Dillon also weighed in the recent debate about West Coast star Harley Reid,<\/a> after Eagles coach Andrew McQualter flagged the club would consider approaching the AFL over the lack of apparent protection afforded to their midfielder.<\/p>\n Related Article Speaking at a press conference on Friday night following West Coast\u2019s loss to Fremantle in the Western Derby, McQualter said he will analyse the tape before deciding whether to take the issue further.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t talk to it specifically, I\u2019m not allowed to,\u201d McQualter said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we will definitely look closely at it and look to get some clarity if we think there\u2019s some inconsistency in the way that Harley\u2019s been treated.\u201d<\/p>\n Dillon said there was open dialogue between the club and the AFL.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHarley Reid is a super, super player, and I love coming over here, seeing the West Coast play, and one of the reasons you do that is because of Harley Reid and the way he plays,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand Andrew McQualter had mentioned he\u2019ll talk to our footy department, and there\u2019s an open dialogue between West Coast and Greg Swann and his team, and that\u2019ll continue.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Harley\u2019s a great player, and yeah, he\u2019s certainly worth the price of admission.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if he had any advice for the West Coast star, Dillon quipped that he should simply stop giving away free kicks.<\/p>\n The AFL boss was also questioned on the price of flights to Melbourne for the grand final, with Fremantle currently three games clear on the top of the ladder.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll work with our partners on that one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut ultimately, you know, that is the airlines. It\u2019s their pricing. We can influence, but we obviously can\u2019t direct.<\/p>\n![\"AFL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32797f8639ab07a09d166da331a4c67a0f06afc3.jpeg\")
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon.Justin McManus<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785146540_68_fe41e00fe47689aa2c834d29f25cfb2031c19fa5.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Harley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/117ab20cdfd9caf67682b9292e11747e5d0e5cd5.jpeg\")
Harley Reid of the Eagles reacts after giving away a free kick to Luke Ryan of the Dockers.Getty Images<\/p>\n