AFL Origin: Brandon Starcevich, Callum Ah Chee, Trent Rivers headline seven more additions to WA Origin squad

Brisbane premiership teammates Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee will be reunited in the West Australian squad for next February’s AFL Origin clash with Victoria at Optus Stadium. The pair played in successive Lions premierships, lifting silverware together just 82 days ago, but are now at different AFL clubs, Starcevich joining West Coast and Ah Chee heading to Adelaide. They are among seven inclusions in a 21-strong WA squad, alongside Melbourne utility Trent Rivers, Port Adelaide sharpshooter Mitch Georgiades, Geelong defender Lawson Humphries, Western Bulldogs’ forward Rory Lobb and Gold Coast midfielder Wil Powell. Former Adelaide Crows captain and current assistant coach Nathan van Berlo has also been added to the coaching panel, joining WA and Sydney Swans head coach Dean Cox and Fremantle’s Justin Longmuir. Georgiades finished fifth in the Coleman Medal this season with 58 goals. Starcevich gives Cox flexibility and could even reprise his stopping role on veteran Geelong forward Patrick Dangerfield, who has been picked in the Victorian squad, for the February 14 encounter, which is looming as a sellout. Ah Chee is also a big game player, having kicked four goals and providing two assists in the Lions’ 2024 grand final win. Rivers can play in dual roles, across half-back or as a midfielder. He is expected to be a key plank of new coach Steven King’s new-look engine room following the departures of Clayton Oliver to GWS and Christian Petracca to Gold Coast. Rivers and fellow WA squad member Luke Jackson (Fremantle) are both products of Bullcreek Leeming Junior Football Club who were picked up by the Demons in the 2019 national draft after they were teammates in the State’s 18s national championship victory. Another squad member, Sydney midfield gun Chad Warner also played in that team. The latest selections follow last week’s addition of nine players, which will reunite two Melbourne 2021 flag teammates, Kysaiah Pickett, Jackson and Rivers. West Coast’s Liam Baker was also named, giving him the opportunity to play alongside former Richmond premiership teammate Shai Bolton, along with Dockers’ All-Australian defender Jordan Clark, St Kilda winger Bradley Hill, dual Brisbane premiership forward Charlie Cameron, Collingwood ruck Darcy Cameron and GWS pair Jesse Hogan and Sam Taylor. Dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Bolton, Tom Barrass (Hawthorn), Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) and Warner were among the first named last month. The remaining WA squad members will be announced early next year with Western Bulldogs ruck Tim English, key forwards Jake Waterman (West Coast), Shannon Neale (Geelong), Fremantle midfielder Jaeger O’Meara, Brisbane recruit and former Eagles captain Oscar Allen and veteran GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio all in the mix. Victoria, which will be coached by Chris Scott with Sam Mitchell his assistant, has released a preliminary squad that is rich across all lines, led by Carlton’s dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps, veteran Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn and Western Bulldogs match winner Marcus Bontempelli.