With the success of this year's Victoria v Western Australia State of Origin return to footy, the AFL is certainly heading in the right direction when it comes to creating a similar atmosphere to the event of the NRL's State of Origin. Though nothing still measures up quite like the rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland in the NRL.
Tonight, Melbourne plays host to the two states in Game 2 of the Rugby Origin series, so I thought it would be fitting to see how those sides would fare against each other if there were an Australian Rules football match between the AFL's best players from each state.
The qualifications are the same as they were for the AFL's Origin clash (players will be picked based on their junior club location from where they were drafted) at the start of the year.
New South Wales
Back line
FB: Callum Mills (C), Jack Buckley, Connor O'Sullivan
HB: Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Harry Cunningham
Four different Swans players start the trend of players representing their club state, but these players are no slouches at stopping momentum and getting the ball out of danger. Blakey is the star here after his breakout All-Australian season, who can run through the corridor and create opportunities like few in the competition can.
Down at the very back, GWS' Buckley is an in-form stabilising force to squash any scoring chances alongside Captain Callum Mills. While young-gun Connor O'Sullivan will be extremely handy with his elite marking ability.
Midfield
C: Errol Gulden, Matthew Kennedy, Will Setterfield
FOLL: Jarrod Witts (R), Isaac Heeney (RR), James Peatling (R)
Heeney headlines the Blues midfield as arguably the best player in the competition right now, with him and Gulden already proving to be near unstoppable when together. Witts is the tap ruckman you want on a side like this, and Peatling gets the rover role after playing some of his best footy.
Kennedy and Setterfield fill out the centre, both having solid seasons defined by a strong knack for finding the footy backed by years of experience that you need in a game like this.
Forward line
HF: Lachlan Schultz, Jobe Shanahan, Harvey Thomas
FF: Harrison Himmelberg, Taylor Walker, Patrick Voss
I know what you're thinking: there's a lot of size here, almost too much. But Lachie Schultz can still cause chaos and Harvey Thomas is one of the most improved players we've seen this season who can push to the midfield if needed.
The rest of the forward line showcases some exciting scoring targets in Shanahan and Voss, as Walker and Himmelberg give the young guns some veteran guidance.
New South Wales full team
FB: Callum Mills (C), Jack Buckley, Connor O'Sullivan
HB: Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Harry Cunningham
C: Errol Gulden, Matthew Kennedy, Will Setterfield
HF: Lachlan Schultz, Jobe Shanahan, Harvey Thomas
FF: Harrison Himmelberg, Taylor Walker, Patrick Voss
FOLL: Jarrod Witts (R), Isaac Heeney (RR), James Peatling (R)
Int: Lachlan McAndrew, Jacob Hopper, Cooper Sharman, Daniel Turner, Dane Rampe
