analysis
AFL Origin Depth Chart: Every Western Australian and Victorian player ranked from 1-50

The West Australian’s football writer Mitchell Woodcock ranks every player ahead of Saturday’s historic AFL Origin clash based on their ability to impact the game. 50. Jaeger O’Meara (WA) Like his good mate Coniglio, O’Meara can have an impact but is not one of the bigger names in this game. 49. Stephen Coniglio (WA) A veteran of the AFL now, selection in this team is a great reward for a good career but he’s no longer on the same level as the stars in this game. 48. Rory Lobb (WA) Has transitioned into a backman in recent seasons with plenty of success, but is not as prominent as other defenders in this bumper game. 47. Nathan Broad (WA) A veteran and three-time premiership Richmond defender, Broad was a late addition to cover injured West Coast backman Brandon Starcevich. 46. Blake Hardwick (VIC) The ultimate hybrid swingman, Hardwick could be a surprise weapon for Vic coach Chris Scott should he need to add security at either end of the ground. 45. Trent Rivers (WA) The Melbourne premiership defender has been transitioning into a midfielder in recent years but is yet to establish himself. 44. Tristan Xerri (VIC) One of the best ruckman in the AFL, Xerri will be in the unsual position of back up to Gawn for this bumper fixture. 43. Sam Collins (VIC) Understated but not undervalued at the Gold Coast, the big full back will be a tough match-up for the WA forwards to beat. 42. Lachie Ash (VIC) A ball magnet in defence for the Giants, Ash can be as lethal a running defender as there is. 41. Wil Powell (WA) A hybrid defender who is brave overhead and loves to break the lines, he will try to take the game on. 40. Brad Hill (WA) A veteran now in the AFL, Hill still has pace to burn which is still dangerous when you combine it with his experience and football nous. 39. Lawson Humphries (WA) Supremely talented and the youngest player in the WA team, Humphries will be licking his lips if the game becomes an all out attacking affair. 38. Ben King (VIC) A late call up for the injured Jeremy Cameron, King is coming off a career-best year for the Suns as a spearhead who rarely leaves the forward 50. 37. Tim English (WA) Will have to back up Cameron in the ruck against Gawn and North Melbourne monster Tristan Xerri. It’s going to be a tough day for the big Bulldog. 36. Callum Ah Chee (WA) Has proven in the past two grand finals he can perform in big games whether as a goalkicker or playing a selfless role. What can he do for WA? 35. Josh Battle (VIC) Had an outstanding first year at Hawthorn to earn a maiden All-Australian blazer. But can he stop WA’s aerial offence? 34. Darcy Cameron (WA) Is going to have his hands full with the best ruckman in the game, but expect the reigning Collingwood club champion to not have his colours lowered. 33. Jacob Weitering (VIC) A naturally gifted key defender who rarely loses a one-on-one battle. 32. Jake Waterman (WA) The new leader of West Coast’s forward line, Waterman is coming off an injury-interrupted 2025 but at his best is one of the AFL’s most formidable spearheads. 31. Mitch Georgiades (WA) Like Naughton, Georgiades is going to be a strong aerial threat who is capable of kicking a bag on his day. 30. Jack Gunston (VIC) Coming off arguably a career-best year at 33, Gunston will be an awkward match-up for Western Australia’s backline. 29. Tom Barrass (WA) An intercept marking key defender who will look to disrupt Victoria’s attacking forays at all costs. 28. Charlie Cameron (WA) If the Brisbane speedster revs the engine, good luck trying to catch him. Cameron loves a goal and a celebration, so will want to have plenty of both in front of 60,000. 27. Aaron Naughton (WA) The Bulldogs high-flying forward will be given a licence to leave his feet as often as possible which will challenge the Vic defence. 26. Jack Sinclair (VIC) Sinclair has made a name for himself as a work-man like half-back who gains an elite amount of territory for the Saints. 25. Liam Baker (WA) Baker is skilled, but his best attribute is arguably his toughness in the contest and willingness to put his body on the line. Expect the new Eagles co-captain to go all out from the opening contest. 24. Jordan Clark (WA) Has established himself as one of the best running half-backs in the competition in the past few year. Clark will be in his element when the ball is moving up and down the ground at a quick pace. 23. Patrick Dangerfield (VIC) Could and maybe should be higher on this list, but expect Dangerfield to spend the majority of the game up forward on managed minutes. Still, the Cats captain can wreak havoc on an opposition without any warning. 22. Tom Stewart (VIC) A general down back for the Cats, expect Stewart to bring his smarts and leadership into the Victorian side. The 32-year-old will pick off any errant kicks from the West Australians when they’re going forward. 21. Hugh McCluggage (VIC) The dual Brisbane premiership midfielder will likely return to his old spot on the wing where he is one of the game’s best. Has an uncanny knack of being able to hit the scoreboard as well. 20. Shai Bolton (WA) On his day, Bolton is as unstoppable as they come in the AFL. The Dockers goalsneak will get a run through the midfield as well and should be an all out attack option for WA. 19. Jesse Hogan (WA) A Coleman medallist who loves the ball coming in swiftly and accurately, expect Hogan to enjoy some lace out delivery. The Giant is hard to beat on the lead and in a wrestle. 18. Toby Greene (VIC) There are fitness questions around the Greater Western Sydney captain, but when he steps out onto the field he will not take a backward step. Greene can turn a game on it’s head in a matter of moments. 17. Max Holmes (VIC) The Cats running machine won’t be bothered by the hot Perth conditions and will blow up the GPS when it comes to the amount of kilometres he runs. Might find himself pushed out to a wing role given the talent of Victorian midfielders in the squad. 16. Ed Richards (VIC) It takes a good player to get a club champion award off Bontempelli and that’s exactly what Richards did at the Western Bulldogs last year. Not as heralded as other midfielders, but don’t sleep on the 26-year-old. 15. Luke Jackson (WA) Ruck, forward or as a rover — where will Jackson play? It is one of the most intriguing selection questions of the match but what is undeniable is wherever he plays, the Dockers big man will be impactful. 14. Sam Taylor (WA) A dual All-Australian full back who is as good as intercepting as he is at beating forwards in the one-on-ones. When the ball is coming in hot, Taylor will be a wall down back for WA. 13. Zach Merrett (VIC) Take away all the trade drama of last year and remember Merrett is still among the best midfielders in the game. One of the few versatile Victorians as well who can mix it up on a wing, or at half-forward. 12. Max Gawn (VIC) The best ruckman for the past decade, Gawn’s impact is unmatched by any big man in either squad. His ruck-work is top notch but his ability to cause a problem behind the ball will be a challenge for WA coach Dean Cox. 11. Zak Butters (VIC) Uncompromisingly tough and a more than prolific ball winner, Butters is going to have a lot of fun in this type of game. Don’t underestimate his speed as well when the game opens up. 10. Kysaiah Pickett (WA) Skill, speed and a natural born entertainer — if anyone was ever born for this type of match it is Pickett. The Melbourne premiership hero will light up both the midfield and forward line for the home side. 9. Noah Anderson (VIC) If not for his teammate Rowell, we could be talking about Anderson as a Brownlow medallist. The Suns skipper is coming off a career-best season and is yet to turn 25. 8. Bailey Smith (VIC) Polarising in public, but unmissable on the football field, Smith has a proven track record in monster matches. The 25-year-old will want to upstage everyone else in front of a national audience. 7. Chad Warner (WA) Warner is one of the most aggressive and competitive footballers in the AFL. The Sydney gun will be up for the fight from the first bounce and combine that with his talent, he will run amuck. 6. Caleb Serong (VIC) Fremantle’s vice-captain is a big game player and has worked unbelievably hard to establish both his inside and outside game. Serong will enjoy not being the main focus in the midfield. 5. Patrick Cripps (WA) One of Western Australia’s favourite sons, Cripps will look to captain WA with unbridled passion. The dual Brownlow medallist is someone who will go to war for the guernsey, so don’t expect to see him take a backward step. 4. Matt Rowell (VIC) The reigning Brownlow medallist will be in and under every pack, happily clashing into the bodies of those in the gold jumper. Rowell will be the man to dish it out to his star midfield mates. 3. Marcus Bontempelli (VIC) Earned the honour of skippering the ‘Big V’ in the historic clash and will undoubtedly want to lead from the front. Expect “The Bont” to have an impact in both the midfield and up forward. 2. Sam Darcy (VIC) Another son-of-a-gun, Darcy is expected to take another step in his already exciting career and establish himself as a genuine A-Grader in 2026. The 205cm monster is going to be hard to stop if the delivery is on point into the Victorian forward line. 1. Nick Daicos (VIC) The Collingwood superstar is arguably the best player in the game, having finished runner-up in the past two Brownlow Medal counts. Expect Daicos to relish the all-out attacking nature of the clash.

analysisAFL Origin Depth Chart: Every Western Australian and Victorian player ranked from 1-50

analysis
AFL Origin Depth Chart: Every Western Australian and Victorian player ranked from 1-50