On Notice: Scott Gullan has an Essendon big man, the tired State of Origin debate and even Katy Perry in his sights.

Scott Gullan has lined up those calling for State of Origin’s AFL return in his weekly On Notice column, arguing it’s time they stopped wasting their breath.

Eagle-eyed football journalist Scott Gullan sharpens the pencil and announces who is on notice for the coming round ...

STATE OF ORIGIN

The first radio station or news outlet who asks whether the AFL should bring back State of Origin on the back of Wednesday night‘s Game One of the NRL series should have their media accreditation revoked. It’s not going to happen any time soon, in fact it is more than likely never going to happen. Yes it’s sad but unfortunately that’s life in the AFL so let’s not waste any energy discussing the subject.

SAM DRAPER

We love the hair and the aggression when it‘s on show. Friday night is a statement game for Essendon and the Bombers ruckman is the fire-starter. He needs to own the centre bounce against Carlton who don’t have a recognised ruckman and then throw his body around at as many Blues as possible. Draper and Jake Stringer are the two players who can generate something in this team which has failed to show anything resembling a pulse this season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Sam Draper of the Bombers in action during the 2022 AFL Round 10 match between Richmond and Essendon (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

JAKE LEVER

Can he be elite without his partner in crime? Jake Lever is an All-Australian defender and last year was the best intercept marker in the competition. He did all of that riding shotgun with Steven May in a one-two punch which helped shape the Melbourne premiership. This season there is a sense rival teams have figured him out and limited his output by playing directly through his man. With his team under the pump and May missing, Lever has the opportunity to knock that theory on the head.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Jake Lever and his Demons team mates look dejected after losing the round 12 AFL match between the Melbourne and Sydney. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

NAT FYFE

This is going to be an intriguing watch. How does Fremantle‘s captain assimilate into what has become a premiership contending outfit? Obviously he is a superstar so he’s going to be able to impact but what happens in terms of the synergy which has been built up in his absence through the midfield. Will he rock the Andrew Brayshaw, Will Brodie, Caleb Serong, Blake Acres and James Aish boat?

FM RADIO SLOTS

The old regular cozy early morning radio slot has claimed a few over the years. Players get lulled into a more relaxed state than normal and with their guard down seem to, wait for it, tell us what they‘re really thinking. It’s a glorious thing and we’re frightened to highlight this as it may make clubs even more reticent to let players’ show some character. Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca is the latest offender on KIIS 101.1 during the week when he gave his opinion about the poor crowds at Melbourne games this year, declaring its too cold for Demons fans because they were too old. Hilarious and on the money but something he would never have said anywhere else.

Christian Petracca of the Demons soccers the ball forward. Photo by Michael Klein

KATY PERRY

Please Channel 7, we don‘t care how much Menulog throws at you but the Katy Perry ad cannot be part of your AFL finals coverage. Your opponents Channel 9 drove viewers insane on Wednesday during State of Origin Game One playing the ad on repeat seemingly every five minutes. The last thing any viewer wanted to do at the end of the broadcast was order Menulog or play a Katy Perry song.

Originally published as On Notice: Scott Gullan has an Essendon big man, the tired State of Origin debate and even Katy Perry in his sights.