AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan admits while he would love to see State of Origin return to the AFL, he says it simply will not happen.
Every year when the NRL's version begins, AFL media and fans alike consider how an AFL State of Origin might work.
But McLachlan has shut the idea down, stating it simply would not work and will not return to the AFL under his tenure.
The League's chief believes there are two major stumbling blocks.
The fact clubs want to protect their players and are likelyย to be unwilling to let their best players play and the fact sides in South Australia and Western Australia essentially play against other states every week.
โI would love to (see it return), as a guy who grew up in South Australia watching Tony Hall kick checksides on the run from 50m (in State of Origin contests),โโ McLachlanย said on 3AW on Friday morning.
โI would love to play State of Origin, the majority of supporters would and there was a poll where 60,000 people responded and 92 per cent wanted it.
โI get it and we would love to do it too. But there are two issues. One is that essentially if you are in South Australia or West Australia they feel they are plying State of Origin every week, they are playing against other states.
โAnd our clubs are so strong and tribal that they protect their players.
โIf you donโt have every player for State of Origin, as soon as you donโt have one or two of the best players available then itโs not as (good).โ
The other obvious issue is when the games would be played, with an already busy AFL schedule taking its toll on players.
However, the fact remains the fans want it back.
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