GIANTS defender Lachie Ash has capped off a starring breakout 2025 campaign by being named to represent Victoria in the 2026 AAMI Origin game.
Ash is among the latest players selected to take part in the highly anticipated Origin clash which will see Victoria and WA do battle at Optus Stadium on Saturday, February 14.
One of the league’s most improved players over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Ash’s selection comes after a 2025 season in which he took his game to even greater heights and was named to his maiden All-Australian squad.
Increasing last year’s average of 20.3 disposals per game to 27.9 this year, the dashing defender also averaged a whopping 543 meters gained, to go along with 6.3 marks and 6.4 rebound 50s per game to become one of the league’s most damaging running weapons.
Ash’s Origin selection is further recognition for his stellar 2025 campaign and cements his standing as one of the league’s best running defenders.
The 24-year-old, who hails from the small town of Katandra and who represented Vic Country as a teenager, will now don the Big V once again as part of the AFL’s return to Origin football in February.
The 2026 Origin game will see state-based rivalry return at the elite level for the first time in more than 25 years, having last been played in 1999 when Victoria played South Australia at the MCG.
Filled with stars from across the league, Ash will feature in the Origin clash alongside his superstar skipper Toby Greene, previously announced as a Victorian representative.
Ash and Greene could go toe-to-toe with some familiar faces in what sure to be a heated state versus state clash, with fellow GIANTS teammates Sam Taylor and Jesse Hogan both chosen to represent their home of WA.
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said it was great to see Ash named to represent Victoria.
“Lachie had a fantastic season and it’s exciting to see him rewarded with the chance to play State of Origin footy,” McCartney said.
“Over the last couple of seasons, Lachie has continued to work on his game and each year he’s become a better player and really established himself as a key part of our side.
“To have Lachie join Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, and Jesse Hogan as GIANTS representatives in the Origin game is a huge honour and something I’m sure they’re all very proud of.”
The 2026 AAMI AFL Origin game will start at 7:40pm AEDT on Saturday, February 14 at Optus Stadium, with the game to be broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox, as well as 7Plus and Kayo.
Tickets for the AAMI AFL Origin are on sale via Ticketmaster.
