There was a time when pulling on the Big V meant everything.
Before club loyalties dominated the national competition, State of Origin football was the ultimate proving ground. This Saturday, after a long break, the tradition resumes, with Victoria taking on Western Australia in a rare modern state clash that taps into decades of rivalry.
For older fans, the memory is unforgettable – navy guernsey, white "V", arms locked before the bounce, Teddy Whitten exhorting the team in the warm-up. For younger supporters, it's a glimpse of a more primal era when state pride cut deeper than club allegiance.
Why the Big V Still Matters
The "Big V" jumper represents more than a team. It symbolises Victoria's role as the traditional heartland of Australian Rules football. While the AFL is now a national competition, the old state battles were fierce, fast, and uncompromising.
Western Australia built its own powerhouse reputation through the WAFL and later through AFL clubs such as the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers. The rivalry wasn't symbolic – it was physical, visceral, and unrelenting.
In the 1980s and 1990s, State of Origin clashes routinely drew huge crowds at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Subiaco Oval. Pride was on the line.
Why It Disappeared
As the AFL season expanded and player workloads increased, representative football became harder to schedule. Clubs began prioritising premiership campaigns over state honours.
The last official State of Origin match was played in 1999. Since then, occasional tribute games and bushfire relief matches have kept the spirit alive, but a true Victoria vs WA clash has been rare.
That's why this weekend feels different.
What This Game Means Now
This is not a full return to a State of Origin series. It's a celebration match – part nostalgia, part showcase, part experiment.
But don't expect it to be gentle.
State pride still runs deep. Western Australians have long relished beating Victoria on its own turf. Victorians still see the Big V as football's original standard.
For players, it's a chance to represent more than a club. For fans, it's a reminder that footy once felt tribal in a different way.
For the Croweaters watching on, it will be bitter knowing that South Australia isn't part of it - and eager for a return.
Where to Watch
Expect strong turnout at major sports pubs across Melbourne and Perth, particularly at venues hosting themed "retro round" events. For live-site guides and venue listings, check local AFL watch-party updates in your city.
If it reaches the heights of the old days, this could open the door to more representative football in future seasons.
One thing is certain – when the navy jumper with the white V runs out, it won't feel like just another exhibition match.
It will feel like history stepping back onto the field.