With state vs state footy returning this week, there’s no better time to look back on some of the best moments in Origin history relating to the Pies.

While there have been two faux State of Origin games featuring combined Dream Team/All Star teams against Victoria this century, this Saturday’s game is the first time two purely state-based sides have locked horns since 1999.

That was between Victoria and South Australia on a wet day at the MCG, while it’s been 34 years since this weekend’s opponents in Victoria and Western Australia have played each other.

Fifth-year star Nick Daicos is the sole Victorian representative from the black and white, while reigning Copeland Trophy winner Darcy Cameron will return to his home state of Western Australia and take to Optus Stadium for the Sandgropers.

Ahead of the landmark clash, let’s look back on some of the best Collingwood adjacent moments in the history of Origin.

Gavin Brown’s Victorian legacy

While his Collingwood career was as good as anyone’s, Gavin Brown’s Victorian legacy perhaps usurped it, as the star of the ‘90s dominated on the big stage for his home state.

Playing in the Big V 11 times, Brown won the E.J Whitten Medal for best Victorian player twice, with both performances coming in victories against South Australia in 1989 and 1997.

He was captain of the side in that ’97 win, with the eight-point margin in favour of the Vics in no small part due to his heroics while lined up on SA star Darren Jarman.

As hard-nosed and courageous of a player as any in his generation, Brown’s passion for his state came through each time he pulled on the jumper.

McGuane’s torpedo tops off Vics’ ’92 drubbing

In what was the last time the Vics took on Western Australia, star Magpie Mick McGuane was a standout performer for the Big V in 1992.

The hard-runner finished with two majors, including an amazing torpedo from well outside fifty that was a highlight in the 67-point drubbing the home side handed out at the MCG.

Daicos dazzles in the Big V

Before son Nick earned his inaugural selection in the Victorian side, it was Peter who donned the Big V with aplomb.

Appearing five times in the blue guernsey, Daicos starred in 1984 against South Australia with three goals, while he remained part of the state’s side in the twilight of his career too, suiting up in 1990 against WA.

Nick will do the same this weekend when he makes his maiden appearance for his home state in the much-anticipated clash against the Western Australians.

Craig’s flying start in ‘99

While not technically a Collingwood moment given McRae was representing his home state of SA while with the Brisbane Lions, we’re prepared to give the Senior Coach his moment in the sun here.

In what would end up being the last State of Origin fixture as it was known at the time, McRae got the South Australians off to a flying start in the 1999 clash against the Vics.

On a wet May day at the home of footy, McRae’s smarts came to the fore as he twice found the big sticks in the opening quarter.

While Victoria would go on to win the game comfortably, the current Pies coach made his presence known in the memorable match.

Hall of Fame tribute match lights up the ‘G

Nine years on from the last state-based Origin game at the turn of the century, a Victorian and ‘Dream Team’ clash was staged at the MCG in honour of the AFL’s 150th anniversary in 2008.

The Pies were well represented, particularly on the Big V side, with young gun Scott Pendlebury suiting up for his state in only his third season, alongside established stars Josh Fraser and Heath Shaw.

Leon Davis was on the opposition – in a team comprised of players from all states/territories outside of Victoria – with the high-scoring affair ending in a 17-point win for the home team.

Pendlebury shone on the big stage and was one of his victorious side’s better players, as almost 70,000 fans saw representative football for the only time during the 2000s.

Five Pies take the stage for 2020 Bushfire relief match

As a one-off benefit match on the back of the devastating bushfires across the country over the 2019/20 summer, the AFL staged a Victoria v All Stars match ahead of the 2020 AFL season.

Three Pies were selected for the Vics, including Pendlebury, who pulled on the Big V over a decade on from his maiden Origin clash in 2008. He was joined by teammates Darcy Moore and Steele Sidebottom, while Jeremy Howe and then-Magpie Brodie Grundy suited up for the All Stars.

While not contested as hotly as historical Origin clashes, an entertaining match ensued between the two sides with Victoria finishing 46-point winners.

Pendlebury was again an important player and showcased his class at opposite ends of his career in the Big V.