Weller on board with Origin talk

GOLD Coast’s Lachie Weller has thrown his support behind an annual State of Origin match as he prepares to join a cavalcade of stars in next week’s Bushfire Relief clash. Weller is one of three Tasmanians who will represent the state in the All-Stars side to take on Victoria next Friday at Docklands Stadium, alongside Jack Riewoldt and Jeremy Howe. Having enjoyed an interrupted preseason, the Burnie-born talent is excited to take part in the charity fixture, which will see the 54 players raise funds for local footy clubs and families in bushfire-affected areas. And the 23-year-old would not hesitate to support future State of Origin fixtures if they eventuated. “We are in a pretty good position where we can raise a bit of money and be a part of something like this,” Weller said. “Looking at the teams there is a lot of stars around so I am pretty honoured and can’t wait to play with them all. “When you watch half the country burning you feel a bit hopeless so anything we could really do, it is great to see such a big reaction from the players, they want to get on and have a game and I was the same. Obviously it would be pretty cool to do it every year, hopefully everyone goes out there and represents their states and plays really hard.” A first-round pick at Fremantle (13) in 2014, Weller played 47 games in three seasons at the Dockers before requesting a move back to the Gold Coast, where he moved with his family aged 15. He admitted the constant talk engulfing the embattled club in recent times has been frustrating, but is confident the Suns can prove the doubters wrong. “It does get pretty frustrating, nearly to the point where you just delete everything off your phone so you don’t see it. “But we can only control what we can control and that’s to train hard and go out there and give it our all. “We know we are on the right track and we have the right personnel to take us there. “We had a really good draft, the boys that have come in have shown a lot of maturity and look ready to go. “I’m expecting a big improvement this year.”