There will be no AFL All-Star or State-of-Origin game in 2014 after the clubs joined together to squash any chance of a spectacular alternative to the league’s beleaguered NAB pre-season cup.
A number of AFL All-Star options were considered, including an East v West and captain’s pick scenarios, as a possibility for early March, however the game will no longer go ahead despite support from the league and the AFL Players Association.
“We won’t do anything unless we have everyone on board, and that’s looking increasingly unlikely. That’s just the reality of it,” AFL deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan said Thursday.
“We understand that there are issues that need to be sorted out before this game can become a reality and that it will only be successful if we have ‘buy in’ from fans and general support from the AFL clubs.”
A number of clubs allegedly opposed the idea of a game featuring the AFL’s top talent at a Grand Final week meeting, citing a risk of injury and lack of player interest.
Scott Pendlebury is one high profile player to have thrown support behind an All-Star game, however Pendlebury’s sentiments are not universally shared. GWS recruit and former Magpie Heath Shaw is not a fan of the proposal.
”I’ll be honest, I won’t be putting my hand up to play seven days out from the start of the season,” Shaw said on 3AW.
”Obviously the focus is on Round 1 and getting yourself right for Round 1 … I’ll kindly decline that offer if it ever comes to me.
”I’d just say I’ve got a bit of hamstring tightness and get the physio to back me up.”
The last State-of-Origin match was played in 2008 between Victoria and an All-Star team that attracted a crowd of 69,294 to the MCG.
The 2014 AFL schedule was also released on Thursday.
Key free agency matchups will include Hawthorn’s visit to Sydney to take on the recently departed Buddy Franklin in round eight and the subsequent rematch in Melbourne in round 18.
Dale Thomas and Carlton will face off against the Magpies in round seven while Paul Chapman will take on Geelong with new team, the Bombers, in round 15.
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