AFL State of Origin: Relive the rivalry as we look at every clash between Western Australia and Victoria

Western Australia v Victoria. The Sandgropers and the Big V. It’s the original State of Origin rivalry. The two proud football states have met 19 times under Origin rules, between 1977 and 1992, with Victoria holding a 12-7 advantage. Here is how each contest played out. October 8 1977, Subiaco Oval WA 23.13 (151) def Victoria 8.9 (57) Crowd: 25,467 The Sandgropers, coached by WA great Graham “Polly” Farmer, drew a line in the sand after years of capitulation in the first-ever State of Origin game. No longer could Victoria call on WA expats to fill its squad. The WA team led by Max Richardson (six goals), Ron Alexander and Graham Moss won by 94 points. The biggest statement made was WA’s Basil Campbell sitting Victorian strong man Don Scott on his backside. Farmer famously asked the players the night before the game what they were prepared to do for the cause. Campbell told the squad if if any player touched one of his teammates, he would kill them. June 10 1978, VFL Park Victoria 25.13 (163) def WA 8.15 (63) Crowd: 45,192 Leigh Matthews was best afield with five goals, Graeme Teasdale and Kelvin Templeton four each and winger Robbie Flower turned it on for the Big V. Bob Beecroft kicked three goals for a WA team that could not adjust to the conditions in Melbourne. October 7 1978, Subiaco Oval Victoria 17.13 (115) def WA 14.17 (101) Crowd: 30,195 Kelvin Templeton’s six goals were enough to exact retribution from the Origin opener almost a year to the day earlier. Alan Johnson, Ross Glendinning and Bill Valli were WA’s best players. October 8 1979, Subiaco Oval WA 17.21 (123) def Victoria 16.12 (108) Crowd: 30,876 Centreman Brian Peake announced himself as one of the best players in the country in the 1979 national carnival grand final, winning the Tassie medal, while Gary Malarkey, Peter Spencer, Bruce Monteath, Ian Miller and Ken Hunter shone for the Sandgopers. July 5 1980, VFL Park Victoria 18.15 (123) def WA 15.12 (102) Crowd: 31,469 Ross Glendinning’s defensive craft and Maurice Rioli’s midfield magic were not enough to withstand a talented Victorian side led by VFL Player of the Century Leigh Matthews. October 11 1980, Football Park (Adelaide) Victoria 14.20 (104) def WA 9.15 (69) Crowd: 10,666 Victorian ruck rover Garry Wilson, with four goals, led the Big V to a comfortable win in the national carnival semifinal played in South Australia. Peter Spencer and Bruce Douperouzel kicked two goals each for WA. April 27 1981, Subiaco Oval WA 16.23 (119) def Victoria 13.12 (90) Crowd: 26,691 Simon Beasley’s six-goal performance put him on the national radar, while Gary Buckenara won the Simpson Medal. Rod Lester-Smith, Graham Moss, Noel Carter and Jim Sewell were others who shone for WA. July 13 1982, Subiaco Oval Victoria 19.10 (124) def WA 15.11 (101) Crowd: 29,182 Warren Ralph’s five goals, Phil Shaw’s 23 possessions and Gary Buckenara’s brilliance were not enough to get WA over the line. Small forward Alex Marcou kicked four goals for Victoria. July 12 1983, Subiaco Oval WA 16.22 (118) def Victoria 16.19 (115) Crowd: 44,231 Midfielder-forward Gary Buckenara kicked seven goals and worked in tandem with South Fremantle great Maurice Rioli who weaved his magic from the centre. Darrell Panizza, Garry Sidebottom, Mike Richardson and Ron Boucher were among WA’s best. July 17 1984, Subiaco Oval WA 21.16 (142) def Victoria 21.12 (138) Crowd: 42,500 Brad Hardie starred in a back pocket to win the Simpson Medal as the Sandgropers won by four points. Ross Glendinning starred, Garry Sidebottom kicked six goals and Robbie Wiley four. It was also the game Gary Ablett Sr announced himself with eight goals after gaining selection after just nine games with Geelong. July 16 1985, Subiaco Oval Victoria 19.16 (130) def WA 9.11 (65) Crowd: 38,397 Dale Weightman and Paul Roos steered the Big V to a 65-point win. WA was never in the contest despite the efforts of Rod Lester-Smith, Michael Mitchell, Gary Buckenara, Brian Peake, Leon Baker and Andrew Purser. This match was part of the 1985 Australian Football Championships, which South Australia ultimately won. July 8 1986, Subiaco Oval WA 21.11 (137) def Victoria 20.14 (134) Crowd: 39,863 The Vics were three points down in the dying seconds when WA’s Wayne Blackwell threw himself on to the boot of Brian Royal as he was streaming into shoot for a goal that would have won the game for the Big V. Brian Peake, a surprise pick at full-forward, kicked seven goals, Brad Hardie was outstanding in a back pocket and Gary Buckenara kicked the sealer with a trademark snap over the shoulder. July 22 1987, Subiaco Oval Victoria 16.20 (116) def WA 13.14 (92) Crowd: 22,000 Victoria broke away in the second quarter led by Paul Salmon who finished with five goals. Mark Bairstow (three), Alex Ishchenko and Jim Krakouer (two each) were WA’s leading scorers. Phil Narkle, Craig Holden and Chris Mainwaring were WA’s best. March 2 1988, Football Park Victoria 20.13 (133) def WA 10.13 (73) Crowd: 5195 Andrew Lockyer (four goals), Richard Dennis and Earl Spalding worked hard in attack while Steve Malaxos and Dani Laidley toiled in midfield for WA as a Victorian unit, led by midfielders Dale Weightman, Gerard Healy and Greg Williams and ruckman Simon Madden dominated in the 60-point win in a Bicenetennial Carnival match in Adelaide. July 5 1988, Subiaco Oval Victoria 21.23 (149) def WA 15.9 (99) Crowd: 23,006 WA was outclassed again with ruck rover Gerard Healy slotting through five goals for the Big V and centreman Greg Williams picked up 39 possessions. Chris Mainwaring, Gary Buckenara, Michael Mitchell, Michael Christian, Andrew Lockyer and John Worsfold were WA’s best. May 16 1989, WACA Ground Victoria 19.12 (126) def WA 10.12 (72) Crowd: 20,993 Jason Dunstall kicked nine goals for Victoria and was the difference. Peter Wilson, Chris Mainwaring, Chris Waterman, Mark Bairstow, Nicky Winmar and Paul Harding shone for WA, while the only WAFL player to earn selection was South Fremantle young gun Peter Matera. June 26 1990, WACA Ground Victoria 14.13 (97) def WA 8.12 (60) Crowd: 21,897 This was the game in which 17-year-old Glen Jakovich achieved the treble: representing WA at three levels, in the under-18s, for the WAFL against the SANFL, and against the Vics in State of Origin. Gary Ablett starred for the Vics, WA’s effort anchored by Derek Kickett, David Bain, Steve Malaxos, Chris Lewis, Michael Mitchell and John Gastev. July 16 1991, WACA Ground WA 19.13 (127) def Victoria (7.9 (51) Crowd: 24,397 The last time WA defeated Victoria in a State-of-Origin clash. Peter Sumich kicked six as one of 15 West Coast players in the team. Eagles’ coach Mick Malthouse later said it hurt their flag chances. Chris Mainwaring captained the WA team while Earl Spalding was prominent for the Sandgropers. May 26 1992, MCG Victoria 23.19 (157) def WA 13.12 (90) Crowd: 32,152 The last time the two teams met in an Origin game. Tony Lockett kicked five and Ablett Sr three for the Vics. Derek Kickett, Jon Dorotich, Ashley McIntosh, Nicky Winmar and Dean Kemp were WA’s best.