Craig McRae will be in charge of South Australia and Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will oversee Western Australia when the AFL’s State of Origin returns next year in February.
In what will be SA’s first AFL representative match since 1999, the Collingwood premiership coach says he is honoured to be handed the job.
“To have the opportunity to coach South Australia is an enormous honour and I am incredibly proud of the role South Australian football has played in giving me my start in the game,” McRae said.
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“We saw earlier this year the role state football plays in our game and its rich tradition.
“I’m looking forward to helping build a South Australian team that represents the history our proud state has.”
Longmuir was an assistant alongside WA head coach Dean Cox during last season’s match against Victoria and said it was a huge thrill to lead his state this time.
Justin Longmuir will coach WA in next year’s State of Origin clash with SA. Credit: Getty “Western Australia has a proud football history and the rivalry with South Australia has produced some memorable contests in the past. To be part of renewing that rivalry at Optus Stadium next February is very exciting,” he said.
“After being involved earlier this year for the return of AAMI AFL Origin, to now lead the state that I have spent most of my playing and coaching career means a great deal to me and I can’t wait to select a team that reflects the quality of Western Australian football and a team that will put on a great show in front of a sold-out Optus Stadium.”
The match will be Longmuir’s first opportunity to coach a game since the Dockers lost this year’s grand final to Brisbane under heartbreaking circumstances.
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Longmuir had a huge year for the Dockers, leading them to the top of the ladder and their first grand final since 2013. But they lost by seven points despite being 17 points up with just over four minutes remaining.
McRae coached Collingwood to the 2023 grand final – also against Brisbane – and is keen to bring Origin footy back to life alongside the best South Australian players in the country.
– With the West Australian