Indigenous stars named in WA's State of Origin squad

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published December 11, 2025 at 9.35am (AWST)

A trio of the AFL's Indigenous stars have been added to Western Australia's squad for footy's first State of Origin match since the late 90s.

Veterans Charlie Cameron, Bradley Hill, and premiership Demon Kysaiah Pickett will run out for WA against Victoria in February, the trio joining Shai Bolton who was announced last month.

Victoria played two showcase representative fixtures against the 'Dream Team' and 'All Stars,' celebrating 150 years of the sport in 2008 and raising funds for bushfire relief in 2020, respectively.

WA's return marks their first match since the disbandment of regular State of Origin fixtures in 1998.

Names in both sides' squads have been drip-fed in recent weeks.

14 players have been selected for both Western Australia and the 'Big V'.

Victoria are yet to name a First Nations inclusion, with the likes of Jarman Impey, Jy Simpkin, Jade Gresham, Karl Amon and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan all eligible.

Jy Simpkin, who is eligible for the 'Big V,' won the Polly Farmer medal for the Indigenous All Stars in February 2025. (Image: Richard Wainwright)

Charlie Cameron, who spent his early days in Mt Isa, came through the system to the AFL via Newman Satins and Swan Districts, Bolton plying his trade as a junior with Forrestdale then South Fremantle, Hill with Quinns Dictrict and West Perth, and Pickett with Quairading in WA's wheatbelt before moving to South Australia.

Bobby Hill, Tim Kelly, Callum Ah Chee, Lawson Humphries and Liam Ryan are all available for selection to pull on the iconic yellow and black jumper in Dean Cox's team.

Before the end of State of Origin footy in the late 90's, Indigenous icons of the game had similarly run out for the state.

Graham 'Polly' Farmer pictured in the WA strip in 1970. (Image: afl.com.au)

More recent figures include Peter Matera, Winston Abraham, Jeff Farmer, Dale and Derek Kickett and 80's stars Maurice Rioli Sr, and Krakouer brothers Jim and Phil.

All-time greats of WA football, and the game more broadly, Polly Farmer, Stephen Michael, Bill Dempsey and Ted Kilmurray all played for their state earlier in the century.

WA host Victoria at Optus Stadium in Boorloo/Perth on Saturday February 14.

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