AFL chief Andrew Dillon responds to Ken Hinkley’s criticism of Origin coaches

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has defended the decision to have current club coaches in charge of State of Origin teams after criticism from Ken Hinkley that there may be a conflict of interest.

Hinkley suggested on SEN it was “an absolute advantage” for Victorian coaches Chris Scott and Sam Mitchell and Western Australia bosses Dean Cox and Justin Longmuir to “create a connection” with the game’s top stars and potentially help poach them to their clubs down the track

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“There’s enough discrepancies in the game, this is another one the AFL didn’t need to add to it. This was a simple AFL decision they have not thought about in any way shape or form about the advantages,” Hinkley said.

“There’s so many others that could have coached the sides. Adam Simpson, Paul Roos … the list goes on.”

Responding to the former Port Adelaide mentor’s comments, Dillon said installing some of the best modern coaches made the most sense to help ensure the players and clubs invested in the revival of Origin.

“It was a conversation we had but we thought the way to get the best buy-in from the players and clubs was to have current coaches,” Dillon said on SEN.

“To have ‘Coxy’ with Justin Longmuir for WA and ‘Mitch’ and Chris Scott for Victoria — all incredible coaches — (and) I think the clubs would feel more comfortable.

“That doesn’t mean into the future a recently retired coach like Hinkley couldn’t do it or pay a role as well.

“But I think having the current coaches gives the clubs a bit.”

Rugby league State of Origin technically allows current NRL club coaches to head up state teams, but the code has recently shifted away from it to avoid conflicts of interest.

Buy-in from players for Saturday’s AFL Origin clash has been one of the big question marks of the format, but Dillon has full faith that it’ll be taken seriously.

The AFL boss says it was the players that drove the return of the format and getting other stars involved, revealing WA skipper Patrick Cripps was already on a recruiting drive on Brownlow night.

“I don’t have concerns, because I just can’t see that happening,” Dillon said of the potential for players to not dig in on Saturday.

We have 50 of the best players in the competition. They’re competitive beats and it just isn’t going to happen.

“The great thing about this renewal of Origin is the way the players from day one have bought in. They have all been keen to represent their state. It’s been amazing.

“You get that buy in an the club’s get behind it and fantastic support from the WA government. We will see on Saturday with the incredible crowds.”