Longmuir to lead WA as coaches named for next State of Origin clash

Detailed summary

South Australia will be involved in the new-look Origin format, which started this year, for the first time in 2027 at Optus Stadium.

Fremantle mentor Justin Longmuir will replace Dean Cox as Western Australia’s coach in next year’s State of Origin match while Collingwood’s Craig McRae will coach South Australia.

South Australia will be involved in the new-look Origin format, which started this year, for the first time in 2027, replacing Victoria for the game at Optus Stadium on Saturday, February 27.

Victoria beat Western Australia 125-101 to win the 2026 trophy at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Collingwood’s 2023 premiership coach McRae started his career at SANFL club Glenelg before he was drafted to the Brisbane Bears in the 1993 pre-season draft.

McRae, a triple-premiership Lion, also represented SA as a player in 1999.

“To have the opportunity to coach South Australia is an enormous honour and I am incredibly proud of the role South Australian football has played in giving me my start in the game,” McRae said in a statement.

“We saw earlier this year the role state football plays in our game and its rich tradition, and I’m looking forward to helping build a South Australian team that represents the history our proud state has.”

Longmuir was drafted out of West Perth by Fremantle with pick No.2 in the 1998 AFL draft.

This year, he led Fremantle to the minor premiership and the grand final, where the Dockers suffered a horror capitulation to Brisbane.

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