Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Interstate matches in Australian rules football are games between teams that represent Australian states or territories. They began in 1879 and, for many decades, Victoria was the dominant side.
What happened over the years
- Early era: The first intercolonial match was in 1879. Victoria (often led by the VFA) won most games, and crowds grew, especially in Victoria.
- National carnivals: From 1908 to 1993, most interstate clashes happened at large carnivals run by the Australian National Football Council (ANFC). These were major events, sometimes called “the Ashes” of Australian rules football, and Victoria usually did well.
- Rise of state-of-origin: In the late 1970s, players began to be selected more strictly by the state they originated from. Western Australia and South Australia started to challenge Victoria more, and the 1980s produced some famous, highly competitive matches.
- Big changes in the game: As the Australian Football League (AFL) expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, top players began to play most of their football in clubs rather than for state teams. This made regular interstate carnivals harder to sustain.
- Decline of the carnivals: The last major interstate carnival was in 1993. After that, the AFL Commission took over the rules and some of the format. Fewer large state carnivals were held, and the idea of a regular interstate competition faded.
What happened after the big era
- Later exhibitions: Since 1999 there have been a few one-off interstate matches, but no regular carnival.
- Notable modern events: In 2008, the AFL held the Hall of Fame Tribute Match. In 2020 there was a State of Origin for Bushfire Relief. In 1995, the E. J. Whitten Legends Game began, featuring retired players raising money for prostate cancer research.
- A planned return in 2026: A new AFL Origin match between Western Australia and Victoria is scheduled for February 2026 at Optus Stadium.
Rivalries and popularity
- The Victoria vs. South Australia rivalry was famous for passion and intensity, especially in venues outside Victoria.
- Victoria vs. Western Australia also became a strong, long-standing rivalry.
- Western Australia and South Australia sometimes challenged Victoria’s long-time dominance, leading to memorable games in the 1970s and 1980s.
Current status
- Today, interstate football mostly lives on at lower levels and in special events. State leagues now compete against each other in representative matches that are not based on the old State of Origin system.
- Women’s football has added new interstate matchups, with the first such contest between WA and SA in 2024.
- The concept remains popular in history, and organizers hope to highlight the traditional WA vs. Victoria match again in 2026.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 08:33 (CET).