'Get after it': hot start predicted for AFL Origin

Weitering and WA ruckman Darcy Cameron said the risk of injury would be worse for anyone who does not go in hard.

State of Origin's AFL comeback has no shortage of sceptics, mainly around how seriously players will approach the game and what clubs think of their stars being involved.

But the motivation is being fuelled by banter at club level - Cameron has warned Collingwood teammate and Victorian opponent Nick Daicos against any mind games at centre bounces.

Similarly, Weitering predicted Carlton captain Patrick Cripps would not kick any goals on him should the WA gun be sent forward.

At a Melbourne airport departure press call on Wednesday, Weitering was asked if he felt pressure to put on a good show.

"I could probably re-word it a little bit better - I just think it's going to be hot," the key backman said.

"The boys are going to compete for the jumper and each other. It's an opportunity you just don't get regularly.

"The first 10 minutes, there are going to be a few contests."

What about the potential to take that one step further and have some of the aggression that helped cement State of Origin in rugby league?

"I think so - friendly - hopefully no suspensions or reports. But again, we'll play pretty fair and get after it," Weitering replied.

He added Cripps had been busy talking up WA's credentials and also said a direct match-up would be welcomed.

"There's been a bit of chat, he's been pretty vocal in team meetings recently," Weitering said.

"I will try to make that (playing against Cripps) work for maybe five minutes, but he won't be kicking one on me, that's for sure.

"It's just going to be a competitive environment. That first 10 minutes is going to be pretty hot, guys will get a feel for it."

Similarly, Cameron will take no lip from Daicos at ruck contests.

"I've told him he'd better not, otherwise he won't get the ball for the rest of the year," Cameron said.

"He likes to get a few cheap handballs around the back, so he'd better be careful."

Cameron's AFL career has been at Sydney and Collingwood. He noted this would be the first time in 13 years he will play alongside his good friends Cripps and Tom Barrass.

"The best of WA against the best of Victoria - it's something I don't take lightly and I'm very proud to be representing WA," Cameron said.

Weitering said having 25 players per side meant they would be able to cope with the forecast hot conditions.

"Clubs have had the opportunity to have that conversation (about managed game time). That's just player to player," he said.

"For the most part, players will be on managed minutes anyway.

"You'll probably get three quarters."

This will be the players' first competitive hit-out in their pre-seasons. Cameron and Weitering said the only way to approach it is as seriously as possible.

"If you go out thinking maybe going 80-90 per cent, that's when you do get injured. It will be all-out," Weitering said.