Victoria's squad continues to take shape ahead of the 2026 AAMI AFL Origin, with seven more players selected to represent the ‘Big V’ in Perth on February 14 at Optus Stadium.
Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield headlines the latest inclusions with the eight-time All-Australian and 2016 Brownlow Medallist joining his Cats’ teammates Tom Stewart, Max Holmes and Jeremy Cameron in the ‘Big V’.
Hawthorn pair Josh Battle and Blake Hardwick have both been selected, uniting with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell, who is part of the Victorian coaching panel. They’ll be joined down back by GWS defender Lachie Ash, who has earned selection in a defence that already features Jack Sinclair, Jacob Weitering and Tom Stewart.
No stranger to the big stage at Optus Stadium, Fremantle three-time club best and fairest and three-time All-Australian Caleb Serong has been selected to represent Victoria and will be joined in the midfield by the Western Bulldogs’ Ed Richards after his breakout 2025 campaign saw him named All Australian for the first time and win his first club best and fairest.
Six-time Essendon club best and fairest, and three-time All Australian Zach Merrett rounds out the latest selections, joining Serong, Noah Anderson, Marcus Bontempelli, Zac Butters, Nick Daicos, Max Holmes and Hugh McCLuggage in Victoria’s star-studded midfield.
Patrick Dangerfield said: “Growing up I dreamt of playing footy, winning premierships and representing Victoria, so when Chris gave me a call to be a part of the return of Origin, I jumped at the opportunity to finally pull on the Big V.
“Garry, Chris and the wider coaching team are pulling together a great squad that epitomises what Victorian football is all about, we have a great mix of experience and youth, and no doubt everyone involved is looking forward seeing the Big V and Black Swan return in Perth next year.”
As the playing squad continues to take shape, Victorian coach Chris Scott has bolstered his coaching group with the addition of Gold Coast SUNS assistant coach Shaun Grigg. Grigg spent four seasons at Geelong under Scott as both a Development and Assistant coach before joining Gold Coast as midfield coach ahead of the 2024 season.
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 match will be broadcast on Seven Network and Foxtel, 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 with tickets now on sale! For more information, head to Origin.AFL
VICTORIAN SQUAD
Lachie Ash
AFL Club: GWS GIANTS
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Shepparton Bears
Noah Anderson
AFL Club: Gold Coast SUNS
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Hawthorn Citizens
Josh Battle
AFL Club: Hawthorn
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Narre South Saints
Marcus Bontempelli
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
State League Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Eltham
Zak Butters
AFL Club: Port Adelaide
State League Club: Western Jets
Community Club: Darley
Jeremy Cameron
AFL Club: Geelong Cats
State League Club: GWV Rebels (formerly North Ballarat)
Community Club: Dartmoor
Nick Daicos
AFL Club: Collingwood
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Kew Rovers
Patrick Dangerfield
AFL Club: Geelong Cats
State League Club: Geelong Falcons
Community Club: Anglesea
Sam Darcy
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Glen Iris
Max Gawn
AFL Club: Melbourne
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: Ormond
Toby Greene
AFL Club: GWS GIANTS
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Ashburton
Blake Hardwick
AFL Club: Hawthorn
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Beverley Hills
Max Holmes
AFL Club: Geelong Cats
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: Prahran
Hugh McCluggage
AFL Club: Brisbane Lions
State League Club: GWV Rebels (formerly North Ballarat)
Community Club: South Warrnambool
Zach Merrett
AFL Club: Essendon
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: Cobden
Ed Richards
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Hawthorn Citizens
Matt Rowell
AFL Club: Gold Coast SUNS
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Canterbury
Caleb Serong
AFL Club: Fremantle Dockers
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Warragul
Jack Sinclair
AFL Club: St Kilda
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Kew Comets
Tom Stewart
AFL Club: Geelong Cats
State League Club: Geelong VFL
Community Club: South Barwon
Jacob Weitering
AFL Club: Carlton
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Mount Martha
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As the Official Airline Partner of the AFL, Virgin Australia is focused on offering value and choice for footy fans travelling to the event. To book your flight to 2026 AAMI AFL Origin, visit www.virginaustralia.com
AFL Travel makes it easy to be there in Perth to experience the passionate state rivalry for the first time in 25 years! From premium accommodation, flights and epic game-day experiences, it’s all wrapped into one easy package. Book now: https://afltravel.com.au/
