COACHES across the country have backed a return to state-of-origin football after the AFL confirmed matches could be played as soon as next year.

Sydney coach Paul Roos, a vocal critic of relaunching the concept, said he, too, would "canvass our players to see what their thought are" after learning a state-of-origin competition was clearly back on the agenda.

The last state-of-origin match was held eight years ago, but AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou told The Age this week he wants to bring state-versus-state football back to coincide with the league's 150th anniversary celebrations next year.

Demetriou said there was already "a number of scenarios in mind," including a two-week pre-season competition that replaces the NAB Cup, a one-week carnival at the end of round eight and a two-week carnival, potentially played after rounds eight and 12.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy said he supported a return to state of origin "100 per cent" and suggested a game between South Australia and Victoria as a feature of any format being considered by the AFL.

"The one that would always get the crowd is South Australia and Victoria in Adelaide, because they hang for it. They are desperate for it, South Australia," he said.

"I don't know if there's anything such as 120 per cent, but I'd go for it."

Before the last state-of-origin match was played between Victoria and South Australia, Sheedy said clubs had already become "a bit selfish" in their efforts to protect players from potential injury.

"I think the clubs are probably a bit selfish on it," he said. "To be quite honest, when you played yourself, you felt it was just one step in the next direction, lifting the bar as a performer … if you could go and beat the best from another state."

After writing in his Sydney column last week that he still opposed the concept, Roos said yesterday he would ask his players if they wanted to play representative football.

"Obviously I've got a view as an individual, but before we form an official view as a club, we'll get to our players and have a chat to them and get their thoughts," he said.

Fremantle coach Chris Connolly said it would be "great for football" and suggested Vic Country and Vic Metro teams "just like the Teal Cup" playing against teams from Western Australia and South Australia.

"The Vic Country team would have Barry Hall and Jonathan Brown, Scott Lucas and Fraser Gehrig, they've got a fantastic team, (and) on the flip side, so do Vic Metro," he said.

"I think it will be fantastic for football … everyone wants state-of-origin as long as the timing's right."

Connolly suggested holding the competition in the fourth week of the season "so there's no excuses with injury" and players would have had time to run into some form.

West Coast coach John Worsfold said he enjoyed playing for Western Australia and would not prevent his players from pulling on a state jumper. "If there's a state-of-origin game or a representative game at any level, I would encourage our players to go with what their heart says," he said.

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, who played in Tasmania before joining the VFL in 1976, was another who quickly threw his support behind the concept, provided his home state was represented.

"It's a terrific idea. I think it's fantastic and I'm one coach that would support it, no doubt," he said.

He said players from Tasmania could be included in the combined Allies team with players from NSW and Queensland.

"Tassie has been around a lot longer than a couple of the other states and has probably produced more players," he said. "The fact Tasmania could even be thought of missing out, I find incredulous, to be honest."

Eade was reluctant to see the NAB Cup scrapped. "I'd have to look at (the format) more closely and see which is the best one, but if we got rid of the NAB Cup it might limit some players' preparation."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig said state football was exciting for players and spectators and he supported it, as long as the timing was right. "If the programming can be done correctly I would be more than happy for any player at the Adelaide Football Club to play state-of-origin footy," he said.

"The issue will be programming … because the one thing I do know is the players really look forward to the season break.

"If the AFL can get the programming of it set correctly and it's not interfering with the competition proper, I think it would be fantastic."

THE SUPPORTERS

KEVIN SHEEDY "We invented the game and rugby have stolen it ... we’ve dropped the baton in that area and obviously we should relook at it."

JOHN WORSFOLD "I would encourage our players to go with what their heart says."

CHRIS CONNOLLY "We know there’s a bigger picture with the game and we want to be a part of that ... I think it would be great for football."

PAUL ROOS "I read that all the players are interested, so we’ll canvas our players to see what their thoughts are."

NEIL CRAIG "The concept of state-oforigin creates a lot of excitement for the football public and generally it creates excitement for the players."

RODNEY EADE "It’s a terrific idea, I think it’s fantastic and I’m one coach that would support it, no doubt."

With DIGBY BEACHAM, ASHLEY PORTER