Australian Rules-Victoria beat Western Australia in AFL 'State of Origin' revival

PERTH, Feb 14 : The Australian Football League (AFL) on Saturday staged its first "State of Origin" match since 1999 at Perth Stadium, where Victoria defeated Western Australia 125-101 but injuries to two number-one draft picks illustrated the risks of such a game.

Featuring teams rich in talent with eligibility tied to junior clubs, Victoria led a combative high-paced contest at every break to outclass Western Australia in front of 58,141 spectators.

Collingwood's Nick Daicos ran free in Victoria's midfield with 38 disposals and a goal, while Western Australia forward Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants) booted five goals to keep his side within touching distance until the visitors pulled away in the final minutes.

"I couldn't be prouder of how we played the game ... We stuck it right up 'em!," said Victoria captain Marcus Bontempelli, invoking the spirit of fierce Origin advocate Ted Whitten.

An Indigenous All-Stars exhibition match in Perth last February attracted 38,000 fans, proving an appetite exists for representative games, but critics fear the injury risk in matches not played for premiership points is too great. 

Those concerns were underscored after a heavy first quarter collision saw Carlton's 2015 number-one pick, Victoria full-back Jacob Weitering, carried off the field and taken to hospital with rib and shoulder complaints. 

"He's going to miss a period of time I think, but I wouldn't like to say any more than that out of respect for Carlton," Victoria coach Chris Scott told reporters.

Victoria midfielder Matt Rowell, Gold Coast's 2019 prized recruit, also left the field prematurely with a finger injury while three Western Australia players were taken off with hamstring strains.

Victoria, the traditional heartland of