Kane Cornes questions State of Origin selection as questionable calls torn to shreds

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has questioned the AFL State of Origin teams as the first few players who will take part were revealed.

The first few players who are set to take part in the revamped AFL State of Origin in 2026 have been revealed.

But the plan to drum up hype for the format’s return didn’t go to plan, with many of the selection choices questioned by the AFL world, including Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes.

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Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps are set to lead Victoria and Western Australia, with another eight stars also locked in for the match to take place in Perth in February.

Aaron Naughton, Shai Bolton and Tom Barrass will represent WA alongside Cripps.

And Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell, Zak Butters, and Jeremy Cameron will line up alongside Bontempelli for Victoria.

While on paper that is some of the game’s biggest stars, AFL pundit Kane Cornes was not impressed with the WA side.

“For WA, Cripps no worries and he could captain. Aaron Naughton is the second player from WA selectors,” he said.

“Who is on the panel? Has he ever been All-Australian?

The selection for the upcoming AFL State of Origin has been questioned. Image: Getty

“I don’t know if he’s going to be as good if Sam Darcy is not there next to him. Bolton and Barrass, it’s not as strong a four.

“You have to hope the home ground advantage helps here because right now it looks like the Vics will win by 10 goals.”

The AFL is expected to continue releasing names of the selected players over the coming weeks.

But fans already fear it could be a one-sided, pointless affair.

“State of Origin was great when it wasn’t a national competition. Now it’s just meaningless,” one fan wrote on X.

“WA looking down the barrel of 200 point thrashing early if Bolton and Naughton are among the first 4,” another said.

“WA team is grim if Tom Barrass is one of the first players announced,” a third commented.

“Who wants to see a one-sided flogging?” a fourth added.

The last time the AFL held a State of Origin game was back in 1999.

The concept was phased out after clubs started to push back on allowing their stars to feature.

It is also safe to say fans and players lost interest in the concept.

And if the reaction to the first eight players is anything to go by, it may be a tall task to see it stay for the long run this time around as well.

Originally published as Kane Cornes questions State of Origin selection as questionable calls torn to shreds