The key reason why the AFL’s State of Origin return will work when 2008 and 2020 games didn’t

The AFL have announced the return of State of Origin. It will take place in February next year, just as pre-season practice matches kick in, over in Perth.

For most of the footy public, or the noisy ones anyway, it has been poorly received. But should it be?

If you’re over 40, you probably yearn for the good old days. It was about Ted Whitten’s bravado and Tuesday nights at Football Park; state pride was such that you might end up clubbing your teammate you played alongside last weekend.

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