Forget Origin, says Demetriou

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Despite hailing Saturday night's Hall of Fame tribute match as an "incredible success," AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou says regular interstate competition is not on the agenda.

Almost 70,000 people flocked to the MCG to watch the match between the Victorians and a 'Dream Team', featuring players from all states and territories outside Victoria.

Demetriou says the game was only such a success because players - who knew it was a one-off occasion - threw their support behind the concept.

"We pitched it to the players as a one-off and we still think it is just a one-off because we wanted to celebrate our 150 years," he said.

"The fact that it (a state match) hasn't happened for a number of years contributed to the success of the night but it is not on our radar to do it again next year.

"It's a really difficult thing to get the best players together to play a game and I know how difficult this would have been to do if it wasn't for the support of the players."

The healthy crowd created a good atmosphere, but the match lacked the real passion from the fans that state-versus-state clashes brought forth at the height of State of Origin competition in the 1980s.

Demetriou nevertheless defended the Dream Team concept.

"To get a team, a Dream Team with players from all states was terrific and we are not complaining and we saw some wonderful football and skills," he said.