AFL Origin: Glen Jakovich declares Western Australia will be unleashed on powerhouse Victorian outfit

Western Australia are being given a license to thrill as they look to take down a star-studded Victorian outfit in next week’s historic AFL Origin clash at Optus Stadium. The Sandgropers’ squad is littered with X-factor players including Sydney star Chad Warner, Melbourne premiership star Kysaiah Pickett, dual Brisbane flag forward Charlie Cameron and Fremantle star Shai Bolton. Victoria head into the clash as favourites on the back of their potent 25-man squad, but Western Australian chairman of selectors Glen Jakovich said the home side would play with no fear and no restriction. “We’re going to take it on at all costs and let them play on their instincts,” Jakovich told The West Australain. “We’ll have a few basic fundamentals that you need to adhere to and respect which is going to be not dissimilar to club land but when you’ve got talent like that, the best form of defence will be with ball in hand. “Our forward line is pretty formidable. We’ve got (Mitch) Georgiades and (Aaron) Naughton — they’re going to launch themselves at everything because they do that on instinct. They’re not just going to try to play conventional forward play. “Everyone is going to have to give respect to each other because the talent is unbelievable.” Electric Geelong half-back Lawson Humphries said Western Australia’s game style would play to his strengths and allow him to be at his best on the big stage. “Representing the Indigenous All-Stars (against Fremantle) last year, I felt I played well in that. When everyone is trying to be really aggressive and fast, that’s when I read the ball the best,” Humphries told The West Australian. “It’s a big oval at Optus Stadium which I love. Heaps of space, it’s going to be hot — boys will be tiring quickly and that means it’s going to be fast. “I am super excited for that because I think the game will open up a lot and when that happens is usually when I can capitalise. I feel a lot fitter as well which is exciting as well.” Jakovich has picked three genuine ruckmen in the Western Australian squad, selecting Dockers hybrid athlete Luke Jackson as well as reigning Collingwood club champion Darcy Cameron and Western Bulldogs star Tim English. The dual premiership Eagle said they picked the trio because he believed they could expose Victoria’s rucks in eight-time All-Australian Max Gawn and North Melbourne colossus Tristan Xerri. “We’ve got the luxury that we can swing those three around. Jackson’s hard to beat in the air and he’s hard to beat on the ground — he is now in the prime of his career and arguably one of the best big men in the AFL,” Jakovich said. “He is chomping at the bit to get out there and take on his premiership teammate in Max. “Gawn and Xerri are unbelievable players ... this is an opportunity for us to expose those two or take it to them. If we beat those two, if we are able to get on top then we’re going to give Warner, (Patrick) Cripps and Kozzie better opportunity for clearance work.”