How to Watch AFL Origin 2026: Western Australia v Victoria - Full TV and Radio Guide with Star Commentators James Brayshaw, Gerard Whateley and More

The highly anticipated 2026 AFL Origin clash between Western Australia and Victoria kicks off on Saturday, 14 February at 4:40pm AWST (8:40am UK time) at the sold-out Optus Stadium in Perth. This blockbuster state rivalry, the first between these sides since 1992, marks the return of elite-level interstate football after more than 25 years, drawing massive interest from fans worldwide[2][3]. While UK and global audiences won't find coverage on familiar British channels like BBC, Sky Sports, ITV or TNT Sports this time, the extensive Australian broadcast lineup offers multiple ways to tune in via streaming, radio and TV, including the world feed narrated by AFL legends. With tickets exhausted since January, this pre-season spectacle - complete with the Graham 'Polly' Farmer Cup, Graham Moss Medal for WA's best and E.J. Whitten Medal for Victoria's star - promises fierce competition led by captains Patrick Cripps (WA) and Marcus Bontempelli (Victoria)[2][5].

For British and international viewers craving access, platforms like Kayo Sports and BINGE provide streaming options, often with VPN compatibility for global reach, while radio streams via apps like SEN or Triple M are freely accessible worldwide. The match, organised in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, features powerhouse squads: WA boasts Tom Barrass, Stephen Coniglio and Aaron Naughton, while Victoria fields Max Gawn, Nick Daicos and Patrick Dangerfield[6]. Pre-match hype centres on home-ground advantage for WA, coached by Dean Cox, against Chris Scott's Big V[6].

Broadcast coverage spans radio giants, free-to-air TV and premium streams, packed with iconic voices who've shaped AFL commentary. Leading the charge on free-to-air is Channel 7 and 7+, where presenter James Brayshaw - a former North Melbourne star with 190 games and five-time Best and Fairest winner - teams with co-presenter Abbey Holmes, the versatile ex-NT Thunder and Adelaide Crows player turned award-winning broadcaster. They front pre-match build-up from 7pm AEDT, using the world feed commentary featuring James Brayshaw again on call alongside Brian Taylor, the legendary voice of the game with decades at Channel 7. Co-commentators Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge - both Brownlow Medallists (Cornes with 300 Port Adelaide games, Hodge a four-time Hawthorn premiership captain) - provide razor-sharp analysis, joined by pundits Nic Naitanui (West Coast ruck legend, 190 games) and reporter Abbey Holmes[6]. Brayshaw's charismatic style, honed from his playing days and Seven's footy shows, makes this a must-watch panel.

Radio fans will relish 3AW (Melbourne) and FiveAA (Adelaide), manned by main commentators Bruce Eva and Matt Granland, with co-commentators Brad Hardie - a Sandover Medallist and outspoken WA icon with Geelong premierships - and Tony Shaw, Collingwood's 1990 premiership captain and 313-game veteran known for his no-nonsense insights. Eva's decades in Melbourne radio and Granland's versatile career across SEN and 3AW bring authority to the call.

In Perth, 6PR delivers local flavour with Karl Langdon and Mark Readings leading, joined by Will Schofield (West Coast premiership player, 246 games, now media star) and David Mundy (Fremantle's games record holder with 378 appearances). Langdon's coaching pedigree and Readings' deep footy knowledge amplify the home-state passion.

AFL Nation, SEN1116 (Melbourne) and SEN App unite under Gerard Whateley and Tim Gossage as mains, with Peter Bell (North Melbourne captain, Fremantle games record until Mundy) and Scott Cummings (former Eagles and Bulldog forward, 1999 All-Australian). Whateley, Australia's premier sports caller with a journalism background from ABC and SEN, elevates every broadcast with his eloquence.

Fox Footy and streaming powerhouse Kayo Sports share Adam Papalia and Anthony Hudson on main duties, co-commentated by Jonathan Brown (Brisbane triple premiership captain, 256 games) and Jason Dunstall (Hawthorn legend, 294 goals record until Hawkins, Hall of Fame inductee), with reporter Kath Loughnan, a multi-award-winning journalist covering AFL for Fox and radio. Papalia's rising star status and Hudson's seasoned play-by-play pair perfectly with Brown and Dunstall's elite analysis.

BINGE mirrors this team, ensuring premium viewers get the same star call. ABC Sport features Corbin Middlemas and Clint Wheeldon with Shane Woewodin (West Coast 2006 premiership, Brownlow runner-up) and Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood and West Coast premierships). LiSTNR and Triple M have Lachy Reid and Jack Heverin alongside Andrew Embley (West Coast premiership co-captain) and Steve Johnson (Geelong triple premiership, 2007 Norm Smith).

Regional calls add diversity: K Rock 95.5 with Ben Casanelia, Tom King and Mark Neeld (ex-Coach of Melbourne); National Indigenous Radio Service led by Chris Johnson and Eugene Warrior with Ash McGrath and Brendon Ah Chee. Global feeds like ABC Australia (Asia-Pacific), Premier Sports Asia, ESPN (Africa), TSN Canada 2, Sportdigital1+ (Germany) and in-flight/sea services use the world feed.

This AFL Origin revival, absent since Victoria's 1999 win over South Australia, reignites state pride with WA hosting for the first time since 1998[2][3]. Squads staggered announcements from November 2025, with late injuries to Brandon Starcevich (WA) and Jeremy Cameron (Vic)[2]. WA's possible lineup includes Nathan Broad, Sam Taylor, Shai Bolton; Victoria counters with Jacob Weitering, Tom Stewart, Toby Greene and Ben King[6]. Fremantle fans eye Jaeger O'Meara, Luke Jackson, Jordan Clark and Shai Bolton[7].

Optus Stadium's electric atmosphere - capacity 60,000, all sold out - sets the stage for a gauge of 2026 form before practice matches[4]. Punditry from Cornes (fierce Port critic-turned-analyst), Hodge (Hawthorn dynasty architect) and Naitanui (ruck mastermind) promises heated debates on tactics, with home edge touted as decisive[6][7].

Whether streaming on Kayo, radio via SEN or watching Channel 7, this guide unlocks every angle. For deeper dives, explore 2026 AFL Origin on Wikipedia[2], official AFL Origin page[3] or Optus Stadium event details[4]. Tune in at 8:40am UK time for history in the making.

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Article generated: 14 February 2026, 08:40 GMT