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.
Jackson stops the bleeding
A free kick in the middle gives WA a break.
Rivers goes to Cameron who hits Nuaghton.
He sends it inside 50 where Luke Jackson breaks his man to take an uncontested mark.
Much needed for WA.
VIC 7.4 (46) WA 4.1 (25)
Daicos makes it five in a row
Georgiades with a horror turnover in the middle of the ground.
WA caught in transition and Daicos has the set shot. He makes no mistake and it’s five straight for the Vics.
VIC 7.4 (46) WA 3.1 (19)
END OF Q1 VIC 6.3 (39) WA 3.1 (19)
The end of a marathon quarter due to Jacob Weitering’s injury.
WA got off to a dream start before Victoria’s guns came to the fore with Nick Daicos, Caleb Serong and the Bont turning it on.
Ed Richards has been elite off half back and while WA have had to do all the defending after that early burst.
Can they turn it around after the break?
Vics get another
Victoria’s defenders are just sitting behind the ball with WA’s forwards trying to get involved up the ground.
It means if WA do win the ball they have nowhere to go and McCluggage is on the end of this entry with a lovely snap for goal.
VIC 6.3 (39) WA 3.1 (19)
Merrett off the deck
Rory Lobb’s not had a great day so far and his kick from defence is touched and falls to Sam Collins.
Victoria reload and Merrett soccers the ball of the deck to make it a 13-point game.
Third goal from turnover for the Vics.
VIC 5.2 (32) WA 3.1 (19)
Play back underway
WA have it locked in their forward 50 but a holding free kick to Xerri from English releases the pressure.
Victoria nearly go end to end in a matter of seconds but Sam Darcy just can’t pull off a miracle one handed mark.
Weitering being taken from the ground
He’s giving the thumbs up on the stretcher which is a good side.
Both teams check on him and there’s warm applause from the crowd,
Weitering is down!
The Carlton defender gets crunched in a marking contest and he does not look in a good way.
He’s down on the turf, and it could be a concussion or perhaps his knee lands awakardly.
Actually could be a neck injury as the trainers are being very careful with his head. Big stop in play.
Copped an accidental elbow and was then sandwiched into the turf. Stretcher coming on.
Bont’s on the board
Brad Hill’s handball in defence is too hot for Chad Warner and Nick Daicos scoops it up spins out of the tackle and then laces one to Bontempelli.
Silky stuff as the Victoria captain makes no mistake.
VIC 4.2 (26) WA 3.1 (19)
Charlie turns it on!
He stripps Butters in the middle then takes off and kicks it on the run from 50 to put WA back in front.
There’s a scuffle as Jackson lets Butters know about it and the heat is on at Optus.
Originally published on The West Australian
