THE WESTERN Bulldogs' Jasmyn Smith insists AFLW players would be prepared to play during their off-season if given the chance to feature as part of future AFL representative showcases.

Men's state v state competition returned after more than 25 years in the wilderness when Victoria beat Western Australia at a sold-out Optus Stadium last Saturday.

AFL officials have all but guaranteed the concept will continue in some form next year and beyond, most likely as a pre-season fixture.

The push is on from the game's top female players to be involved, despite the February slot falling in the middle of the AFLW off-season.

"Absolutely," Bulldogs midfielder Smith said at the 2026 NAB AFL Auskick on Tuesday night.

"We have such a long off-season that it would actually be beneficial for us to get a few more games under our belt in our off-season period.

"It's like six months we have off."

There is also support for an international women's fixture, given the large contingent of Irish players in AFLW ranks.

A record five Irish players were named in the AFLW All-Australian team last season.

"State versus state would be really cool to see but there's also been a lot of talk about the Irish versus Australian team," Smith said.

"There's that big talk at the moment as well."

On Tuesday, AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley said he believes State of Origin has a "really exciting future" on the league's calendar.

"There's clearly an appetite. In terms of what it looks like (in future), let's breathe out and assess," Harley said.

"What I think we can confidently say is there's a place for it."