An AFL State of Origin game will be staged in Perth in February under a plan being hatched by Western Australia’s government.

WA’s deputy premier and sports minister Rita Saffioti says the AFL is “very keen” on the concept.

“It’s not a done deal,” Saffioti told reporters on Friday.

“But I know the AFL was very keen, and we’re very keen.”

Fresh from Perth hosting game two in rugby league’s State of Origin on Wednesday night, Saffioti has set her sights on an AFL equivalent.

Origin games haven’t been played in the AFL since 1999, but Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia have a strong tradition in representative matches.

The match would most likely involve WA playing Victoria.

“We’re working on a proposal,” Saffioti said.

“Everyone is very excited about having a WA State of Origin game in the AFL, there’s some good discussions happening at the moment.

“We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state.

“I know many of the players are actually excited, particularly those based over east, are very keen to play for their state, so I think there’s a huge push from the players.”

The AFL has been contacted for comment.

Saffioti pitched the proposal to AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, who put State of Origin on the agenda during the success of the Indigenous All Stars game last February, also held in Perth.

“I can’t rule it in and I can’t rule it out, but it will certainly be a conversation I’d like to have with the players and the clubs,” Dillon said in February.

“There seems to be a bit of a groundswell for it.”

The WA government believed staging a game during the AFL’s pre-season in February was the perfect time.

“Pre-season is a good time to do it, as opposed to in-season ... the clubs are already playing pre-season games,” Saffioti said.

“And we saw the Indigenous All Stars, we had some incredible players out there ... it makes a bit of sense to do it during February.”