The AFL have today announced Melbourne Football Club great Garry Lyon and West Coast Eagles champion Glen Jakovich as Chairs of Selectors for the 2026 AAMI AFL Origin, for Victoria and Western Australia respectively.

Lyon and Jakovich will work alongside the already confirmed coaches Chris Scott (Victoria) and Dean Cox (Western Australia) to pick the teams for the return of football’s most anticipated representative match on Saturday 14 February 2026 at Optus Stadium, Perth.

A former Melbourne captain and five-time All Australian, Lyon played a decorated 226 game career for Melbourne and throughout the 1980s and 1990s represented the Vics 10 times in State of Origin, including as captain in 1994.

"It's an incredible honour to be involved with Victoria and Origin again," Lyon said.

"Some of my proudest moments in football came wearing the Big V and I know how much it means to both the players and supporters, and I can't wait to work with Chris and the other coaches to help build a team that embodies what Victorian football is all about."

Garry Lyon after being inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame on June 10, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

A two-time premiership player, dual All Australian and West Coast Eagles and Australian Football Hall of Famer, Jakovich was regular for Western Australia throughout the 1990s, proudly donning the iconic black Swan guernsey nine times.

Playing 276 games for the Eagles from 1991 to 2004, Jakovich remains one of the club's most respected figures and will reunite with Cox after the pair spent time together at the Eagles between 2001 and 2004.

"There's nothing like representing Western Australia, the state and jumper have a lot of pride and history, and I'm thrilled to be part of it," Jakovich said.

"To work alongside Dean will make it even more special, I saw him develop from a young ruckman into a six-time All Australian and now watching him quickly become a highly respected coach from afar, and I can't wait to work with him again."

Glen Jakovich speaks during the launch of the 2026 State of Origin Game between Western Australia and Victoria at Optus Stadium on September 15, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

In 2026, AAMI AFL Origin will be delivered with the support of the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA, and showcase the best of the state to fans all over the country.

The 2026 AAMI AFL Origin game will be broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox, as well as 7Plus and Kayo streaming platforms, spotlighting Perth and its world-class sporting facilities to the rest of the nation.

The match will begin at 4.40pm AWST / 7.40pm AEDT.