Richmond great Matthew Richardson has questioned the AFL's decision to bring back State of Origin football, saying next year's match between WA and Victoria won't reach the heights of the NRL's showpiece event.
On Monday, the AFL announced State of Origin will return on February 14 next year, with WA hosting Victoria at Optus Stadium.
The Valentine's Day fixture will mark the first time in 27 years state football has been played in the AFL, with the league hopeful players and clubs will embrace the occasion.
Speaking on Channel 7's AFL Finals Coverage, Richardson said he wasn't sold on the return of the marquee fixture.
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"I would be pumped if the players and the clubs were as passionate about it as they are in the NRL, and it's never gonna be the case," Richardson said.
"You're never gonna get that true State of Origin vibe that you get in the NRL.
"It's more of an exhibition game...there's gonna be a bit of circle work in early February.
"The stars will be out there, but clubs won't want them to get injured."
Hawthorn triple premiership captain Luke Hodge also questioned whether players would commit wholeheartedly to the game.
"It's when you get out there and you've got the best playing beside you, all of a sudden the ego does jump in," Hodge said
"So it will get a bit more competitive than what they intend to.
"It's a scratch match...so you're going about 80 percent.
"You're not going back with the flight, you're not dump tackling, you're not diving in head first...because at that stage of the year, you don't want to put any risk on."