AFL Origin: WA to play South Australia in Perth in 2027 after return of idea towards Victoria in February | UNW

After the hugely-successful return of AFL Origin in Perth earlier this year, a new opponent will head west to take on WA in 2027.

State Government sources have confirmed to The West Australian a deal has been agreed for the State-against-State representative clash to remain at Optus Stadium for the second year running, with the hosts to take on against South Australia.

On Thursday night, 7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary reported AFL clubs had been informed of the agreement over the preceding 24 hours.

A sold-out crowd of 58,141 people — including thousands of fans from interstate — flocked to Optus Stadium to see WA take on Victoria on February 14 in the first Origin game since 1999.

WA were gallant but went down to the star-studded visitors by 24 points, trimming the margin to one goal in the final term before being defeated 18.17 (125) to 15.11 (101).

On Friday, Deputy Premier and Sports Minister Rita Saffioti turned down the chance to confirm WA would take on the Croweaters next year, but said “beating anyone is quite satisfying”.

“We’re having really constructive talks with the AFL,” Saffioti said.

“I won’t confirm any of those details. I know there’s been some reports around the nation, but as I said, we’re still in discussions and deliberations, so I don’t want to pre-empt those.

“There was a lot of criticism or scepticism, I’d say, from a lot of people around the nation about State of Origin . . . we brought it back, we made it a success, and we want to keep it here.”

Saffioti also did not comment on whether the State Government would pay less to secure a game against SA than they did against Victoria, citing “commercial discussions between the tourism agency and the AFL”.

Immediately after February’s game, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon — who played a key role in the return of the concept — confirmed Origin would be back in some form in 2027, but would not be drawn on the teams involved or the location.

WA coach Dean Cox led calls for the game to remain in Perth, and even his Victorian counterpart Chris Scott said the State had earned “the front running” to host the event after a hugely-popular week-long celebration of football in one of the final weeks of summer.

“I think what you saw the WA Government, WA Tourism and the WA public showed that they’ll support it, no matter what time of the year it comes,” Cox said.

SA’s side for their first clash with WA since 1998 could feature St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and two-time Brownlow medalist Lachie Neale.

The AFL have been contacted for comment.