AFL Origin set to kick off 2026 AFL season – The Seven Network is set to welcome the return of AFL Origin, as Victoria takes on Western Australia in front of a sold-out Optus Stadium on Saturday, 14 February, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Featuring the game’s biggest superstars from the two states, the clash will mark the return of Origin for the first time in over 25 years, with the last match played in 1999 between Victoria and South Australia at the MCG.
Seven’s lineup for the match will be star-studded, with iconic voices Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw to call the play-by-play commentary, joined by Seven expert commentators Kane Cornes, Luke Hodge and Abbey Holmes.
Joining them on the boundary will be West Australian favourite and former AFL superstar Nic Naitanui, set to give the coverage some West Australian flavour as the state welcomes the first AFL match of 2026.
Naitanui said he was thrilled to be joining Seven’s commentary team for the match.
“I’m pumped to be joining the Seven team as an expert commentator for the return of AFL Origin. Like many others who played throughout the 2010s, I would have loved the chance to represent my state at the highest level, so I can’t wait to see the two states battle it out at Optus Stadium in front of a roaring crowd,”
– he said.
“There has been a lot of chatter about how Victoria will be the easy winners of the match, but I wouldn’t be so sure. I think the WA boys will be absolutely raring to go and the home ground advantage will be a massive factor.
“I don’t think the Vics will be able to control the speed and agility of the WA boys. Kozi [Pickett], Charlie Cameron, Shai Bolton, Chad Warner and others are going to run riot and prove a nightmare for defenders, that’s why I think WA will win the match,”
– Naitanui said.
“I can’t wait to get among the atmosphere on the boundary line for the Seven broadcast and hopefully see WA pull off a huge win against the Vics. It will be a must watch!”
Victoria’s Origin team is headlined by Nick Daicos, Marcus Bontempelli and Jeremy Cameron, while Western Australia features Patrick Cripps, Chad Warner, Sam Taylor and Jesse Hogan.
Seven’s Head of AFL and Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, said:
“It’s extremely exciting to be welcoming AFL Origin, an event which has such a rich history in Australia, back to Seven.
“Seven was the host broadcaster for the very first Origin match in 1977 and also the most recent match in 1999, so it feels right for us to continue the tradition and welcome the state-based rivalry to our screens again in 2026.
“We feel we have compiled an all-star commentary team for the match, so viewers on Seven and 7plus Sport are in for a real treat. It’s exciting to be kicking off the season in February and it will give fans a great taste of what to expect for Seven’s AFL coverage for the 2026 season,”
– he said.
Seven’s AFL Origin coverage will kick off on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport from Saturday, 14 February, at 7.00pm AEDT, with the match commencing at 7.40pm AEDT.
Immediately following Seven’s AFL Origin post-game coverage, Seven will air the first episode of No Holds Barred, a docuseries inside the GWS Giants’ 2025 season.
The eight-part series will give viewers an inside look into the inner sanctum of the Giants’ 2025 AFL season, featuring superstar players Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Finn Callaghan and retiree Callan Ward, as well head coach Adam Kingsley.
The docuseries continues Seven’s documentary style programming about AFL clubs, with Hawthorn’s Full Sweat in 2025 and upcoming series with St Kilda and Collingwood still to come in 2026.
BROADCAST TIMES ON SEVEN:
Saturday, 14 February
AFL Origin: Western Australia vs Victoria
Melbourne 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Sydney 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Brisbane 6.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 6.30pm live on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth 4.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
AFL Origin 2026 – Western Australia v Victoria – Live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Media Release – Seven
Link to 7plus HERE
TV Central AFL content HERE
AFL Origin set to kick off 2026 AFL season
