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!
Key events
21 mins ago - 07:48 PM
Lachie Ash wins the EJ Whitten Medal
22 mins ago - 07:47 PM
Jesse Hogan wins the Graham Moss medal
29 mins ago - 07:41 PM
FULL TIME VICTORIA 18.17 (125) WESTERN AUSTRALIA 15.11 (101)
1 hour ago - 07:01 PM
END OF Q3 VIC 15.11 (101) WA 11.6 (72)
1 hour ago - 06:58 PM
Rowell in trouble
2 hours ago - 05:56 PM
Optus apologises to fans
2 hours ago - 05:27 PM
END OF Q1 VIC 6.3 (39) WA 3.1 (19)
3 hours ago - 05:04 PM
Weitering is down!
3 hours ago - 04:44 PM
Warner gets Optus rocking!
3 hours ago - 04:26 PM
WA’s secret weapon
Jake Santa Maria is reporting live.
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.
Greene puts Vics in front
It’s been all Victoria after WA’s early burst with WA struggling to get their hands on the footy.
They’ve had the last four inside 50s and Barrass can’t stop this one giving away a free.
Greene makes no mistake and now WA need a repsonse.
VIC 2.2 (14) WA 2.0 (12)
King gets Vics first
WA are all out pace but the kick inside 50 is fended off.
In contrast, Victoria pin point there way up the wing before Ben King outmarks Rory Lobb and nails the set shot.
WA 2.0 (12) VIC 1.0 (6)
Two in a row
Jackson combines with Baker to win it on the far wing.
O’Meara gets on the end of a dribller kick and Jesse Hogan is at the top of the sqaure to boot through WA’s second.
Dream start for the Swans.
Originally published on The West Australian
