AFL State of Origin: Chad Warner hopes to beat the heat and Victoria as Toby Greene warns they’re ‘locked in’

As the heat ramps up ahead of the AFL State of Origin, Sydney superstar Chad Warner hopes the Optus cauldron can cook Victoria’s star-stuffed midfield. The mercury on Saturday is tipped to hit 33 degrees, unseasonal conditions for Victoria’s stars, and Warner said it could be a difference in the clash. “It’s going to be a bit stingy, and hopefully it’s a little advantage for us,” he said on Seven’s AFL Origin Countdown. “To be able to join up with players you usually play against a teammate up is so good, and hopefully we can make each other better too.” Despite favourable conditions, Western Australia still face a huge ask to overcome Victoria’s packed midfield, who have a combined 53 All-Australian blazers. Toby Greene also warned that coach Chris Scott will not allow for any slacking, instilling the match is no exhibition. “Training was great fun today, having Daicos lace you out is pretty handy, and I’ll be telling my kids I got to play with the likes of them. “Scotty has been pretty serious and locked in. We’re not too strucutred but we know what we want to do and hopefully come over in front of 60,000 and get the win.” They also boast an imposing forward line, with premiership defender Tom Barrass admitting there are no easy match-ups for WA’s defence. “There’s some paper, scissors, rock over who’s going to get who in the back three.” But WA legend Stephen Michael said the return of Origin is already a massive success beleiving it will be able to capture the magic he experienced. “Those games were legendary to play against and with the best player in Australia, and you look at footy at the moment, and it’s just unbelievable,” he said. “This is bringing back football to the people, and to see these legends play against each other is just unbelievable.