The AFL State of Origin match between Victoria and Western Australia saw a close contest, with Victoria ultimately securing a win. However, the game was marred by injuries to key players, sparking debate about the future of the series and its impact on player welfare. The return of State of Origin, after a long hiatus, was met with significant public interest, with a large crowd in attendance at Optus Stadium.
Context of the Match
AFL State of Origin football returned on Saturday night for the first time since 1999. The match, held at Optus Stadium in Perth, featured a heavily favored Victoria against Western Australia, who were playing in front of a home crowd. The atmosphere was described as intense, with both teams playing with a pressure comparable to finals matches.
Read More: Victoria Wins AFL State of Origin Game, But Injuries Worry Fans
Key Timeline:
State of Origin matches had not been played since 1999.
The recent match occurred on Saturday night.
Reports of the match outcome and related events were published around 12 hours ago and 12 minutes ago prior to the compilation of this report.
Main Actors:
Victoria (Big V): The favored team, comprised of many star players.
Western Australia (WA): The home team, playing in front of a significant crowd.
Jesse Hogan: WA player who performed exceptionally well.
Caleb Weitering: Victorian player who sustained a significant injury.
Lachie Ash: Victorian player who was awarded best on ground for his team.
Evidence of Play and Outcome
The match was closely fought, with Victoria eventually triumphing over Western Australia by 24 points.
Score and Performance:
Victoria won the match.
Jesse Hogan was a standout performer for Western Australia, scoring five goals and almost single-handedly bringing his team back into the game during the final quarter. His efforts earned him the Graham Moss Medal as Western Australia's best player on the ground.
Lachie Ash was awarded the E.J. Whitten Medal as Victoria's best player.
Match Intensity:
The game was not an exhibition, but rather a "fiery clash" with genuine intensity from the start.
Reports suggest a "three-goal game" at one point, indicating a close contest.
There were instances of strong individual plays, such as Lawson Humphries outmaneuvering Nick Daicos and Jesse Hogan taking strong contested marks.
Player Welfare Concerns Emerge
A significant aspect of the match was the injury sustained by Carlton star Caleb Weitering. His injury, described as a serious concern for both Carlton and the AFL, occurred during the game and required him to be taken to hospital.
Read More: AFL State of Origin Game Returns After Long Break
Weitering's Injury:
Caleb Weitering of Victoria was injured during the match.
Players from both teams immediately attended to him, and he exited the game.
The injury is seen as a potential indicator of the high intensity of the game and raises questions about player safety.
Jason Dunstall noted that the "final injury list" from the match could heavily influence the future of State of Origin games.
Player and Expert Sentiments on Origin's Future
Following the match, there is a clear sentiment among some players and commentators that the State of Origin series should continue. However, the injury toll remains a significant point of discussion.
Player Desire for Continuation:
Players are calling for State of Origin to continue next year. This indicates a desire among participants to see the series revitalized.
Expert Opinion on Impact:
Jason Dunstall believes the severity and number of injuries will be a crucial factor in determining Origin's future. He also suggested that other states, like South Australia, could host future Origin matches.
Public Engagement:
Discussions like "Is Origin back for good? Your view" suggest that the public is also weighing in on the series' relevance and continuation.
Conclusion and Implications
The return of the AFL State of Origin match was a notable event, marked by a hard-fought contest between Victoria and Western Australia. While Victoria secured the victory, the game's intensity led to significant injuries, most notably to Caleb Weitering. This outcome has fueled a debate about the series' viability, with players expressing a desire for its continuation while experts and observers highlight player welfare as a paramount concern. The impact of the injuries sustained will likely be a decisive factor in the AFL's decision regarding future State of Origin fixtures.
Sources
The Age: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/victoria-vs-western-australia-live-afl-state-of-origin-returns-as-victoria-wa-battle-at-optus-stadium-20260213-p5o288.html - Reported on player desire for continuation and potential impact of injuries on Origin's future.
7NEWS: https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-origin-live-victoria-and-western-australia-do-battle-as-state-footy-returns-c-21637445 - Provided live updates and context on the match's return.
ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-14/afl-state-of-origin-wa-victoria-live-blog/106345370 - Detailed the close scoreline and highlighted Jesse Hogan's performance and Weitering's injury.
Fox Sports: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/live-afl-origin-game-2026-state-of-origin-western-australia-vs-victoria-live-scores-start-time-aedt-updates-blog-stats-latest-news-how-to-stream/news-story/e441f9615ad7727f3571dfdce76c7287 - Covered the outcome, confirmed the 24-point win for Victoria, and mentioned both Hogan and Ash receiving medals.
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/afl/story//id/47883130/2026-afl-state-origin-live-results-stats-scores-updates-highlights-report-western-australia-victoria-optus-stadium - Emphasized the genuine intensity of the match and confirmed the awardees for best on ground.
Read More: Jacob Weitering Hurt in AFL Origin Game
Note: Article 6 (Sofascore) and Article 7 (Cricbuzz) relate to cricket matches between Western Australia and Victoria and are not relevant to the AFL State of Origin game. Therefore, they have not been included in the source list.
