AFL unveils first batch of superstars to feature in State of Origin battle between Victoria and Western Australia

The AFL is already attempting to drum up hype for the return on next year’s State of Origin, unveiling the first batch of stars who will feature in the game in Perth in February.

Respected captains Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps look set to lead Victoria and Western Australia respectively, while another eight guns have also been named to play.

Former Richmond premiership hero and Fremantle jet Shai Bolton, Hawthorn defender and former Eagle Tom Barrass, and Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton will play for WA along side Cripps.

Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell, Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters, and Geelong power forward Jeremy Cameron will play alongside Bontempelli for the Vics.

But the early unveiling has come with a grim warning from Channel 7’s AFL expert Kane Cornes.

“Bont, no arguments from me there and firmly if not favourite to be captain,” Kane Cornes said on SEN on Friday morning.

“Butters no arguments and a top-five player in the league. Matt Rowell and Jeremy Cameron. It’s a great start, a good first four.”

But Cornes had some major issues with the WA team, noting that Naughton had not even earned All-Australian honours during his career..

“For WA, Cripps no worries and he could captain. Aaron Naughton is the second player from WA selectors,” he said.

“Who is on the panel? Has he ever been All-Australian?

“I don’t know if he’s going to be as good if Sam Darcy is not there next to him. Bolton and Barrass, it’s not as strong a four.

“You have to hope the home ground advantage helps here because right now it looks like the Vics will win by 10 goals.”

Cripps has revealed he is hoping to boost the WA team with more talen and has his eye on gun Sydney midfielder Chad Warner.

But the Vics are sure to add more star power too and Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos is almost certain (barring injury) to line up for the Big V.

“Growing up in Victoria, you always dream of representing your state alongside the best players in the game, so to now get the chance again is pretty special. I can’t wait to run out there and represent the Big V,” Bontempelli said.

Geelong mastermind Chris Scott is the coach of Victoria while West Coast great and Sydney boss Dean Cox is coaching Western Australia.

“After sitting down with Garry Lyon, it was quickly apparent there’s a phenomenal talent pool to pick from and it’s fantastic to have Marcus, Matt, Zak and Jeremy commit to the Vics,” Scott said.

“Marcus, Matt, Zak and Jeremy are elite players in their own right and embody what is great about our game and what Origin football represents and as we edge closer to the game, there’s a real sense of anticipation building.

“I know I speak for all the boys when I say there’s enormous pride and excitement about pulling on the Big V and representing our state.”

Cox said the excitement and anticipation for the match was already really starting to build.

“There’s more top players to be announced in the squad in the coming weeks and I know the Western Australian players are extremely proud to have the opportunity to represent their state and play in the return of Origin and take it up to the Vics,” Cox said.

The AFL is expected to drip feed the selected players over the coming weeks.

The last time a serious AFL State of Origin game was played was way back in 1999.

The concept started to fizzle out with clubs reluctant to allow their big-name players to feature in the game, while interest from the players also waned.