All 18 AFL captains have their say on a potential State of Origin return

The potential return of State of Origin is creating plenty of buzz around the AFL.

The recent Indigenous All-Stars v Fremantle match was a nice test run to stage a representative game in February as the playing fraternity prepares for the season ahead.

On Sunday night, all 18 AFL captains were canvassed on the concept at a dinner with the competition’s executive general manager Laura Kane. All captains were broadly supportive.

On Monday morning, SEN.com.au asked them all if they’d be keen for State of Origin and the response was overwhelming.

100 per cent of the skippers were for the reintroduction of a State game, or representative footy in some shape or form, which has only occurred sporadically in different forms over the past decade or so.

Read their responses below.

ADELAIDE - Jordan Dawson - “Definitely. Something I’d love to do is represent my state and to try and beat the other states would be nice for bragging rights amongst teammates. It’s something that I’d love to do for South Australia.”

BRISBANE - Lachie Neale - “Hell yes. I’d love to play in that, I think it would be an awesome concept. A lot of the players love the idea.”

CARLTON - Patrick Cripps - “A big yes. February is a great time for it as it gets us out of clubland for a bit. I reckon it’s a good chance for people from their home state to represent it. It would be good for the fans and I know all the players are pretty keen to get it going.”

COLLINGWOOD - Darcy Moore - “It feels like it’s an intuitive one for us (the players). How that works with calendars and clubs, and of course the suits who want to make money, we’ve got to make sure everybody is happy with the timing. February seems like a natural place for if it was to happen.”

ESSENDON - Zach Merrett - “A massive yes. I’d love to watch or play in it. I think it’s an element of our game the would be cool if it came back.”

FREMANTLE - Alex Pearce - “It would be good fun to play with the best players in the comp. If it’s in February I might get out of a few intra-club games too.”

GEELONG - Patrick Dangerfield - “Yes, but as long as it’s not every year. I think you need it in small doses so the demand is there. You don’t want to oversupply, but I think there is a thirst for it.”

GOLD COAST - Noah Anderson - “Yes. I think it would be a great thing to watch and be a part of.”

GWS GIANTS - Toby Greene - “Yeah, it would be great, I’d love to play it. It’s something we don’t get to do as AFL players, to get to play against the best players in the comp. It would be a great initiative and you’d get big buy-in I reckon.”

HAWTHORN - James Sicily - “Yes. I think it would be fun. I was a part of the Bushfire game and it was amazing to be a part of.”

MELBOURNE - Max Gawn - “Yes. I’m quite patriotically Victorian. That would be fun. I’m patriotic city Victorian as well so even if it’s country, I’d love to beat up on the country boys as well.”

NORTH MELBOURNE - Jy Simpkin - “Big yes. I think it’s just great for footy. We saw the indigenous All-Stars game work really well a couple of weeks ago. State of Origin would definitely be a hit.”

PORT ADELAIDE - Connor Rozee - “I love watching the rugby State of Origin and I think we can do it even better. I’m not sure exactly how it looks but I’d love to be involved.”

RICHMOND - Toby Nankervis - “Big yes for State of Origin. I think the best players playing against each other would be great for spectators. It would create a lot of energy and buzz.”

ST KILDA - Jack Steele - “Yes. I think most players sit in that category. It would be exciting watch the best of the best go at it and something I’d love to see a little bit more of. It’s something I’d love to be a part of.”

SYDNEY - Callum Mills - “A big yes. Everyone wants to see it.”

WEST COAST - Liam Duggan - “Yes, big fan. I’d love to see it, I think it would be a great spectacle. I think there would be plenty of buy-in.”

WESTERN BULLDOGS - Marcus Bontempelli - “Yes. I think the recent Indigenous All-Stars game gives us a good template of how it would probably work. I think that’s the best timing where it doesn’t force anyone out of their normal programming during the season.”