AFL State of Origin live scores: Western Australia and Victoria reignite historic rivalry
Any doubt about how hard players would go was quickly cast aside as WA and Victoria produced a scintillating start to their Origin battle. Follow all the action live!
AFL : It’s state against state as AFL Origin returns for the first time in more than 20 years as Western Australia and Victoria reignite a historic rivalry at Optus Stadium.
Victoria, led by Marcus Bontempelli are heavy favourites with a midfield stuffed full of premiership winners and All-Australians, including the likes of Nick Daicos, Matt Rowell and Bailey Smith.
But don’t discount Patrick Cripps and his WA counterparts who will be desperate to spring an upset in front of a parochial sell-out crowd.
Follow all the action live!
Jake Santa Maria is reporting live.
HALF-TIME VIC 11.8 (74) WA 8.4 (52)
Bontempelli misses a kick on the siren to make it 22 points at the main break.
A see-sawing quarter as WA roared back only for Victoria to regain control and then WA to fightback.
But that McCluggage goal keeps Victoria in control, who just look to have WA covered through the middle.
Chad Warner was immense that quarter while Daicos is the leading possession getter with 17.
McCluggage with a dagger
Great vision from Toby Greene to have the vision and weight the kick perfeclty for the Lions forward to take the mark over the shoulder.
Takes the margin back to 21 points with less than a minute to go in the half.
VIC 11.7 (73) WA 8.4 (52)
Hill gets his first
WA just looking for Warner at every opportunity now and why wouldn;t you?
He gets a step on Nick Daicos and sends it inside 50 where Brad Hill crumbs off the deck to bring the margin back under 20 points.
VIC 10.7 (67) WA 8.4 (52)
Hogan pegs one back
Warner burns Bont on the wing and send the ball inside 50 where Hogan presents to take a strong mark.
He gets his second to stop the Vic momentum.
Wil Powell is down to the rooms after copping a heavy hit.
VIC 10.7 (67) WA 7.4 (46)
Buttes makes it three in a row
Victoria have grab back control of this game with another centre clearance win and it’s coming in too hot for WA to defend.
Butters with an uncontested mark in front of goal for his first.
VIC 10.7 (67) WA 6.4 (40)
Optus apologises to fans
Optus Stadium apologises to any fans impacted by delays at the gates this afternoon.
The combination of a late arriving crowd and the recent introduction of an enhanced digital ticketing system, which reduces the risk of fraud, are contributing factors.
Whilst the system was operational, for some fans, additional time was required at gates as they adjusted to the new process. This caused delays for others in the queue. We acknowledge the inconvenience and disappointment of those fans who missed the start of the match and thank those impacted for their patience.
The decision was made to lower turnstile arms at gates, for a period, to enable a smoother entry. The gates were largely clear of fans by 4.50pm.
Cripps gives away a freebie
He holds onto to Xerri to give away a 50m pentaly and give him a set shot from 40m out directly in front.
Makes no mistake and the margin is back out to 21-points.
King has three
Broad flattened him off the ball, but he gets up in time as Patirck Dangerfield gets the handball away despite two tacklers
Keeps WA at bay.
VIC 8.7 (55) WA 6.4 (40)
WA are coming
Cameron snaps and squeezes it through after Warner burst through the middle of the ground.
Three in a row and it’s a nine-point game.
VIC 7.6 (48) WA 6.3 (39)
Waterman makes it two in a row
Beyond 50 on the boudnary Waterman works it back through the middle to cut the margin back to 15.
It was build off the back of Mitch Georgiades who ran down Nick Daicos of all people to win the ball back in the middle.
VIC 7.6 (48) WA 5.3 (33)
Originally published on The West Australian
