Victoria has announced their next group of players that will feature in the 2026 AFL Origin match, with superstar Geelong duo Max Holmes and Tom Stewart set to pull on the 'Big V' against Western Australia. 

The pair join fellow Cats champion Jeremy Cameron in the squad, along with some of the competition's best players including Marcus Bontempelli, Zak Butters, Matt Rowell and Nick Daicos. 

It will be the first opportunity for both players to represent Victoria in their AFL careers, as Origin returns for its first official match since 1999. 

The selection adds to an ever-growing resume for Tom Stewart, which also includes a premiership, five All-Australian selections and he is also a two-time Carji Greeves Medallist. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Tom Stewart of the Cats celebrates a goal during the AFL Second Qualifying Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Stewart put together another terrific campaign in 2025, sitting in the top three players at Geelong for average intercept marks per game (2.7), total marks (7.4), score launches (2.2), intercept possessions (6.9) and rebound 50s (4.8), all while going at an impressive 87.3% disposal efficiency. 

Despite being just 23 years old, Holmes has already been thrust into the competition's top echelon of players after a dominant two years, able to have an impact both through the midfield and off half-back. 

Holmes claimed his second consecutive Carji Greeves Medal in 2025, while also earning a spot in the initial All-Australian squad for the second straight year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Max Holmes of the Cats kicks a goal during the AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

His ability to accumulate the football was immense throughout Geelong's campaign, averaging 26.9 disposals and 6.6 score involvements per game while also providing plenty of run and carry, finishing second in the AFL for total metres gained.

The star Cat pairing join the Victoria squad which will be led by Geelong head coach, Chris Scott. 

Other players added to the Victorian squad today include Max Gawn, Hugh McCluggage, Noah Anderson, Jacob Weitering, Jack Sinclair, Toby Greene and Sam Darcy. 

Western Australia also unveiled six new players in their squad, which included the likes of Luke Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett. 

AFL Origin will return on Saturday February 14, with Victoria set to take on Western Australia at Optus Stadium from 4.40pm local time and 7.40pm AEDT. Tickets are on sale now for fans looking to head West for the match.