Senior coaches Sam Mitchell and Justin Longmuir have been added to AFL Origin after being appointed to assistant roles for Victoria and Western Australia respectively.
Mitchell will work under Geelong's Chris Scott to help lead the Big V at an expectedly hostile Optus Stadium in mid-February, with the Hawks coach partnering the coaching counterpart that saw his side exit the finals race this year.
The Brownlow Medal winner has previously represented the Big V, doing so as a player in the 2008 Hall of Fame game against the Dream Team.
Victoria have already confirmed the selections of Marcus Bontempelli, Nick Daicos, Jeremy Cameron, Matthew Rowell and Zak Butters, with an extended squad to be named close to the match.
"I am honoured to have the chance to work alongside Chris," Mitchell said.
"He is a highly respected and credentialled coach, and to help build and coach a team that reflects the pride and tradition of Victorian football is a really exciting proposition."
Longmuir will unite with Sydney coach Dean Cox in the Western Australia coaches box, with the Black Swans.
The Fremantle coach expressed his excitement to represent the "proud football state".
"Having spent most of my playing and coaching career in Western Australia, representing WA means a great deal to me," Longmuir said.
"We're a proud football state, and working alongside Dean is an exciting opportunity to help bring Origin footy back — and hopefully knock off the Vics."
WA have named Chad Warner, Patrick Cripps, Shai Bolton, Tom Barrass and Aaron Naughton as their first set of squad members.
The 2026 AFL Origin clash will take place on Saturday, February 14 at 4:40pm local time and 7:40pm AEDT.
