Origin Rebooted: Jeremy McGovern just wants to play alongside Buddy

Jeremy McGovern might never get the chance to play State of Origin football for Western Australia.

But the West Coast star was thrilled to be recognised by Seven West Media’s State of Origin Rebootedconcept after being named at centre half-back for WA for this month’s fantasy blockbuster against Victoria.

“I think it would be awesome to get it back again. I don’t know why they got rid of it,” McGovern said.

“It would be great to represent WA and I think it’s a good spectacle for fans as well. You look at State of Origin in the NRL and it’s huge. The AFL could probably have that similar impact I feel.

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“It’s doing your State proud and you get to play for where you come from. There’s a lot of good WA players who aren’t in WA, so it puts a big emphasis on how many good players have actually come from WA I think.”

Even better for McGovern, he gets to team up with Sydney champion Lance Franklin in State of Origin Rebooted rather than having to worry about defending against him.

“That would be nice, he’s one of the harder ones to play against Buddy. But I’d love to play with him one day,” he said.

The Sunday Times today revealed the final 22 for each team, after more than 10,000 votes were cast by readers in a huge response this week.

McGovern is one of six Eagles who have made the WA team. He will be part of a blue-and-gold half-back line, with teammates Elliot Yeo and Brad Sheppard on the flanks.

Midfielder Matt Priddis and forwards Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras have also been selected. A seventh West Coast representative, wingman Andrew Gaff, will feature for Victoria.

Six Fremantle players will also play for the Sandgropers, with brothers Stephen and Bradley Hill, defender Michael Johnson, forward Michael Walters, ruck Aaron Sandilands and Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe all included.

The stats gurus at Champion Data will use their wealth of information on the 44 players to predict how the game would play out. The simulated match will take place on Saturday, June 17, and the result will be published in The Sunday Times the next day.

A new public vote is now open to decide the coaches and captains of each State.