Once the players and the AFL put it back on the agenda, the coaches were happy enough to support the re-introduction of state versus state footy.
But I, for one, was worried that the health of players could be jeopardised or that if they didn’t play in the match, they might not be able to play the following week.
That’s where the appointment of Mark Thompson and Mark Williams has been fantastic.
With Bomber and Choco in charge of the sides, they understand that players sometimes miss a game as they try to back up week after week.
It’s great that we have a couple of AFL coaches in charge. It gives the rest of us a little bit more peace of mind.
I'm sure the other coaches had similar reservations to me.
Seeing your own players each week and talking to your own medical staff, we’re able to know better than anyone just how a guy is travelling and what sort of shape his body is in.
So the prospect of suddenly handing them over to another group for a week can be a little bit daunting.
That’s why it was very reassuring – and we discussed it in the AFL Coaches’ Association meeting – to have the two coaches for this week’s game sitting right there.
I guess the only downside is the fact that there are a few injuries and some big names are likely to miss the tribute match.
That’s just a fact of footy and it was always going to happen.
We’re going to have a few players involved and I know our guys are really going to enjoy it.
There’s no doubt that playing State of Origin footy was one of the highlights of my career.
To be able to train and play with great players and see how they prepare was a fantastic experience.
Growing up, I remember looking at state games in awe. So to then be able to play in those State of Origin games, they were some of the greatest times in my football career.
The matches meant so much to everyone and were huge games. There was so much pride at stake and everyone wanted to play.
Sometimes we’d play on a Tuesday night and then play again on the weekend.
I guess it was really special for me when I was playing at Fitzroy. We didn’t have a lot of success in my time there, so playing in finals and big games was rare.
Playing in the really big games, the ones that had an electric atmosphere, was a real treat.
I loved playing at Football Park in Adelaide. You knew the crowd was going to be hostile and the odds were stacked against you.
The great Teddy Whitten was such a big part of State of Origin footy back then.
He really helped generate a terrific team spirit within the group. I think Kevin Sheedy will be great for the Vics in creating that this year.
But I remember back in the days when I was playing, you’d walk in the door and everyone would say g’day straight away and couldn’t wait to pull the jumper on.
Teddy had an amazing ability to make you feel proud of the Big V as soon as you set foot in the camp.
He’d just shake your hand and nearly break it – he'd grip it that tightly.
"Welcome aboard son, welcome aboard!" he’d say.
The fact that I was also lucky enough to win two E.J. Whitten Medals, including the inaugural one, makes me feel very proud.
Today, they’re framed and have a special place in my pool room.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
