As the AFL Origin approaches, football legend Ron Alexander believes that Western Australia (WA) can leverage its home advantage to challenge a star-studded Victorian team. Scheduled for next Saturday at Optus Stadium, the match is expected to draw a significant crowd, including around 8,000 supporters from Victoria.
Home Crowd Impact
While WA may enter the contest as underdogs, Alexander is confident that the enthusiastic Perth crowd can provide a crucial boost. Optus Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, will likely be filled predominantly with WA supporters donning black and gold, creating a vibrant home atmosphere.
Alexander, who played in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1977 and coached WA to a memorable victory over Victoria in 1986, acknowledged that the home advantage in modern football may not be as pronounced as it was during his playing days. In earlier times, venues like Subiaco Oval presented an unknown challenge for many visiting teams from Victoria. Nevertheless, he believes the local crowd will have a significant impact on the game.
“The West Australian boys will be out there wanting to win the game, and having a West Australian crowd certainly helps,” Alexander stated. He emphasized that the players’ familiarity with the stadium will also be an asset, noting that many WA players have extensive experience playing at Optus Stadium.
Underdogs Against Victoria
Despite the home advantage, Alexander conceded that Victoria’s team is likely to enter the match as favorites. The impressive roster of Victorian players includes numerous winners of prestigious awards such as the Brownlow Medal. “WA would have to go in as underdogs,” he remarked, highlighting the historical context of the rivalry.
Reflecting on his early career, Alexander noted that players were once aligned with the league they competed in rather than their home states. He himself represented Victoria during his time with Fitzroy, which made the underdog feeling even more pronounced for WA teams. “Before the format changed, you felt you were the underdogs because it was WA versus the rest of Australia,” he explained.
In a sport known for its unpredictability, Alexander emphasized that the match could yield surprising results, stating, “You just don’t know, that’s why you play the game.” The rich history of the State of Origin series reminds fans and players alike that pre-game expectations often do not translate into outcomes on the field.
As the countdown to the AFL Origin clash continues, WA’s hopes rest on its passionate fanbase and the potential for a thrilling upset against the formidable Victorian side.
