It’s not just State v State on Saturday – there’s also individual pride on the line with some blockbuster match-ups. We look at the biggest one-on-one battles that’ll be worth the price of admission alone.
PATRICK CRIPPS V MARCUS BONTEMPELLI
When the ball is bounced at Optus Stadium, every fan will want to see the two superstar skippers go head-to-head.
The big-bodied midfielders are both contested beasts, with an ability to win the ball and find space at the stoppage earning them a plethora of individual accolades.
While Cripps’ biggest strength is his size and power, Bontempelli combines his towering frame with silky skills and a versatility that allows him to punish teams as a forward threat.
With no shortage of stars in both midfields, expect to see lots of different match-ups, but none will demand the attention more than captain v captain, Cripps v Bontempelli.
DARCY CAMERON V MAX GAWN
Two of the best ruckmen in the AFL will go head-to-head in a battle of the big men for the ages.
An eight-time All-Australian, Gawn is one of the greatest rucks of the modern era and at 209cm, the Melbourne captain’s towering frame makes him a nightmare to face at stoppages and around the ground.
Cameron is fresh off a superb individual season for Collingwood, where he claimed a maiden club best-and-fairest. His work-rate around the ground and ability to hit kick goals makes him a scoreboard threat as much as an aerial one.
Gawn and Cameron will likely take the majority of the ruck load for their respective sides with exciting young duo Luke Jackson and Sam Darcy set to pinch-hit.
SAM TAYLOR V BEN KING
This was going to be the battle of the AFL’s best full-back up against the reigning Coleman medallist. But given Jeremy Cameron’s late withdrawal, the runner-up in the Coleman Medal race from last year will do nicely.
King has been on an upward trajectory since returning from a full year out of the game in 2022, booting 40, 55 and 71 goals in the past three seasons.
The Suns spearhead will have his hands full getting separation from Taylor, who last year earned his second All-Australian nod.
King was held to just three kicks in his most recent meeting with Taylor’s GWS last season.
CALEB SERONG v SHAI BOLTON
While one of the best parts of AFL Origin is seeing the best of the best line up against each-other, it’s also an opportunity for players to take on their teammates.
Ditching their club colours, allegiances will be put to the side when they represent the Black Swan or the Big V.
Among the possible friends-turned-foes are Fremantle triple club champion and vice captain Serong, who could line up against Dockers star recruit Bolton.
Bolton was often injected into the midfield in his first season in purple to give the Dockers a spark, and expect WA coach Dean Cox to utilise him in the same way.
RORY LOBB v SAM DARCY
Despite hailing from Western Australia, former Docker Lobb has copped his fair share of boos whenever he returns to his home State.
But he has an opportunity to win back the affection of a parochial Perth crowd when he lines up in the back six after cementing himself in the role at the Western Bulldogs.
At 207cm tall, Lobb might be the only defender who has the wingspan to stop young forward-ruck Darcy.
As his current teammate, Lobb would know more than most what Darcy’s strengths and weaknesses are. Or will the young pup show the old Dog some new tricks playing for the Vics?
JACOB WEITERING V JESSE HOGAN
Carlton’s ever-reliable full back will likely have the Giant task of stopping Greater Western Sydney spearhead Hogan from wreaking havoc as the deepest forward threat.
The 2024 Coleman Medallist and club champion was restricted to 16 games last season but enjoyed hauls of nine, seven and six goals to finish the year with a more than respectable 46 majors.
One-on-one battle between the two will be an enthralling dance of strength, size and smarts, with Hogan’s elite marking prowess matched by Weitering’s ability to get a fist on the ball.
CHAD WARNER V NICK DAICOS
Two of the biggest superstars of the competition, both Daicos and Warner have already established themselves as household names before the age of 25.
Warner is known for his explosive pace out of the contest, while Daicos boasts elite foot skills and a work rate that puts him in a field of his own while both are damaging with every touch.
The midfield battle as a whole will be box-office viewing but these two young stars will ensure eyes are glued to the screen and bums are glued to seats.
WIL POWELL V TOBY GREENE
He is one of the hardest players in the entire competition to shut down. Now the job of stopping Toby Greene falls on emerging West Aussie defender Powell.
The Gold Coast backman had a career-best season last year after recovering from a serious leg injury. While he offers some offensive weapons coming out of the back-half, he is also one of the league’s best small one-on-one defenders.
New West Coast recruit Brandon Starcevich will miss the match through injury, which leaves Powell in the hot-seat.
JACK GUNSTON V NATHAN BROAD
This is the battle of two AFL stalwarts who may have thought they would never get the chance to represent their states. They are both three-time premiership heroes at their clubs.
Gunston was the latest addition to the Victorian squad after a remarkable All-Australian season that actually started with him being left out of Hawthorn’s round one team. He kicked 73 goals in 2025 as his medium size and ability to kick them from anywhere made him a nightmare for defenders.
Richmond backman Broad is one of the toughest defenders in the game and it’s likely the two veterans line up for much of the clash.
MAX HOLMES V BRAD HILL
Remember Lewis Jetta’s race with Cyril Rioli down the wing of the MCG during the 2012 grand final? That’s the sort of thing we could be in for when Victoria’s Max Holmes and WA’s Brad Hill line up on a wing against each other at Optus Stadium.
Geelong transformed Holmes into an explosive inside midfielder last season, but in a stacked representative team, he will return to his old home on the wing.
It will put him against fellow speed demon Hill, who returns to play a home game in Perth for the first time since he left the Dockers at the end of 2019.
