Sydney Swans coach John Longmire loved attending rugby league’s State of Origin opener, but has no desire to see the AFL revive that concept.
While interstate clashes were once part of the AFL calendar, the establishment of a national competition with at least two teams in each of the most populated states seems to have reduced if not eradicated the need for Origin.
Longmire once kicked eight goals for NSW against Victoria in an Origin game.
However, the bone-jarring intensity of the league model has convinced him that Australian Rules can do without Origin.
“Oh no, I’d be too concerned about the players getting injured, it couldn’t happen in the AFL,” Longmire said with his tongue partly in his cheek.
“As a coach I’d imagine some of the NRL coaches I’ve spoken to sit there with their hearts in their mouths, as you do.
“You can’t help but see the intensity it’s played at and they are your best players.
“Obviously from a purely selfish point of view, and probably speaking on the club’s behalf as well, we wouldn’t want any of our players exposed to injury when we haven’t got control over it.
“We enjoyed it when it was around as players, but since that the national competition has really expanded.
“I think the real challenge is that certainly the AFL Players Association are talking about less games and more breaks, so I’m not sure how we can fit State of Origin games into the schedule.”
Longmire said it was unique to go and experience the pinnacle event in another code.
“I loved the game,” Longmire said.
“As a New South Welshman to go out and watch the game last night and sit there with my kids, and it was their first Origin, and be apart of that experience, I really enjoyed it.
“It was terrific to see the blue boys get over the line.
“Myself and the two boys thoroughly enjoyed the whole spectacle.”
Rugby union players are not immune to Origin’s brutal charms either, even when it clashes with the British and Irish Lions playing the Force in Perth.
“We had two screens up in the team room, one for State of Origin and the Lions on the other one,” Wallaby centre Adam Ashley-Cooper said.
“It was really good. We had guys tuning in and out of each game.”