A STAR-STUDDED midfield would be the feature of a possible South Australia side for its return to Origin football next year.
The AFL has confirmed SA's first Origin game in 28 years will be on Saturday February 27, 2027 against Western Australia in Perth, before the Croweaters host Victoria at Adelaide Oval in 2028.
As the SA selectors prepare to meet to pick their side to face WA, what could it look like?
One of those selectors could include prospective coach Craig McRae, with the SA native looking to step into the hot seat after five seasons at the top level at Collingwood. It will almost certainly be out of him and Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks for the top job.
If given the nod, the first time McRae coaches his star recruit Lachie Neale could be for the South Australians, with the two-time Brownlow Medallist set to be one of the first picked in the side's midfield.
The attack could feature a new teammate of Neale's, with Beau McCreery eyeing a spot across half forward having emerged as one of the premier pressure players in the competition.
More generally, the defence would be held up by St Kilda co-captain Cal Wilkie and Gold Coast's Charlie Ballard alongside Fremantle's Brennan Cox, with Wayne Milera and John Noble to provide the dash off half-back.
The midfield group is led by Jordan Dawson, Neale and Connor Rozee (if fit), with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Will Day to rotate through, with Brodie Grundy and Sam Draper providing a strong dual ruck pairing.
And there's plenty of goals in the forward line, with Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty the tall options alongside the likes of Izak Rankine, Jason Horne-Francis and Will Hayward, while Rankine and Horne-Francis could also make a big impact on the ball.
We've picked seven players on the bench, as was the case with the WA v Victoria game earlier this year, while the strength of the side is highlighted by those who miss the cut, including the likes of Alex Neal-Bullen, Matt Roberts and Harrison Petty.
Brisbane star Zac Bailey has strong ties to South Australia but has not been selected here as he played his junior football for the Allies, given his roots in the Northern Territory.
Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett has also not been considered as he played for Western Australia this year.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (selected by AFL.com.au)
B: Brennan Cox, Callum Wilkie, Mason Redman
HB: Wayne Milera, Charlie Ballard, John Noble
C: Will Day, Jordan Dawson, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
HF: Jason Horne-Francis, Riley Thilthorpe, Will Hayward
F: Kade Chandler, Darcy Fogarty, Izak Rankine
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Lachie Neale, Connor Rozee
I/C: Tom Sparrow, Jase Burgoyne, Sam Draper, Michael Frederick, Caleb Daniel, Beau McCreery, Max Michalanney
Notable absentees: George Hewett, Alex Neal-Bullen, Matt Roberts, Bailey Williams, Brayden Cook, Rory Laird, James Borlase, Oscar Steene, Isaiah Dudley, Harrison Petty, Dylan Stephens, Tom Powell, Jack Lukosius
