Victoria Claims Victory in AFL State of Origin Revival with Classic Whitten Tribute
Marcus Bontempelli delivered a classy nod to football legend EJ Whitten after leading Victoria to a hard-fought 24-point victory over Western Australia in Saturday night's State of Origin revival at Optus Stadium.
The Victoria captain echoed Whitten's famous "We stuck it right up them" phrase during his acceptance speech, connecting two generations of Western Bulldogs icons in a moment that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Thrilling Contest Lives Up to Hype
The rebirth of State of Origin football delivered exactly what fans had hoped for as 58,141 spectators packed Optus Stadium to witness Victoria's 18.17 (125) to 15.11 (101) triumph.
Victoria appeared to have the match secured with a 29-point lead at three-quarter time, but Western Australia mounted a stunning comeback led by Jesse Hogan's dazzling five-goal performance.
"WA had all the momentum and looked prime for an upset," one observer noted as Hogan's three quick goals helped reduce the margin to just six points with more than 17 minutes remaining.
Dangerfield's Crucial Intervention
The momentum swung decisively back to Victoria when Patrick Dangerfield nailed a crucial 50-meter goal that settled his team's nerves and ultimately sealed the victory.
Victoria's star-studded midfield proved the difference, with Nick Daicos (38 disposals, seven clearances, one goal), Marcus Bontempelli (30 disposals, one goal), Zak Butters (27 disposals, one goal), and Zach Merrett (20 disposals, two goals) combining to dominate the contest.
Ben King contributed four goals for Victoria, while Lachie Ash (25 disposals, 498 meters gained) earned the EJ Whitten Medal as best afield for the winning side.
Hogan's Brilliant Display for WA
Despite the loss, Western Australia had plenty of positives to take from the match, particularly the outstanding performance of Jesse Hogan, who kicked a perfect 5.0 and won the Graham Moss Medal for his team.
Brad Hill (26 disposals, 457 meters gained) and captain Patrick Cripps (20 disposals, nine clearances) also delivered strong performances for the Sandgropers in the losing effort.
Physical Contest Takes Its Toll
The match lived up to its physical reputation with several players suffering injuries throughout the contest:
- Jacob Weitering was stretchered off in a neck brace during the first quarter after a heavy collision
- Mitch Georgiades and Sam Taylor both suffered hamstring awareness issues
- Matt Rowell exited with a finger concern in the third quarter
- Callum Ah Chee injured his right hamstring during the final term
The physical intensity answered critics who had questioned whether modern players would commit fully to State of Origin football, with both teams displaying fierce tackling and courageous play throughout.
Historic Context and Future Implications
Saturday's showdown marked the first AFL State of Origin match since 1999 and the first Victoria-WA encounter since 1992, when the 'Big V' recorded a 67-point victory at the MCG.
With this victory, Victoria now leads the historic head-to-head battle 13-7, cementing their dominance in interstate football while providing a compelling argument for more regular State of Origin fixtures in future seasons.
The successful revival of the concept, complete with record attendance and television ratings, suggests Australian Rules football fans have embraced the return of state-versus-state competition with open arms.
