BendigoBank Cats captain James Byrne has described captaining Victoria in last week’s state of originclash as one of the proudest moments in his football career.

In adecorated career including best and fairest awards, a grand final appearanceand state representative honors, Byrne says the opportunity to lead Victoria into battlerates as one of his greatest football achievements.

“It was areally good honor, it was one of the better things I’ve done in footy, I had alot of fun and I enjoyed it,” Byrne said.

“It was areally big thrill to play for Victoria,even though it is only at VFL level.”

A rampantVictoria clinically dismantled a disappointingWestern Australiaby 119 points, with Byrne leading the charge through the midfield with 30possessions and two goals.

Soemphatic was the victory that it was second only to a 178-point pumping in 1959as Victoria’s biggest win over Western Australia of alltime.

ForByrne, it was his fourth state match since 2002 and his first as captain.

He madehis state of origin debut in 2002 for South Australiaand in 2003 represented Western Australia,before joining the Cats in 2004 and earning state selection for Victoria.

“I’veplayed for the other two states – Western Australiaand South Australia– and I definitely found that the (Victorian) guys wanted to play more,” Byrnesaid.

“They hada lot more pride in what they were doing and in their preparation and so forth.”

Forfootball purists, VFL football provides the essence of state of originfootball.

It isstate league against state league, reminiscence of bygone era of state oforigin football when there was no national competition.

Byrnesaid the experience of state of origin football was an eye opening perspectiveto the workings of players he is at war against every other week of the season.

“It gives you a different perspective on how guys preparefor footy, and obviously they were all quality players in the VFL,” Byrne said.

“It was a good opportunity to play with really good playersand the best players in the comp. 

“We played pretty well together and I really enjoyed it.”

Byrnesaid the stature of the match provided aspiring draftees with the platform inthe spotlight to press for a potential AFL selection.

“Therewere a couple of players like (Coburg’s)Alistair Neville and (Sandringham’s) ShaneValenti and those guys.  It’s an opportunity for the guys from WA as wellthat are young enough to put their hands up,” Byrne said.

“It’s oneof the more highly watched games, it’s probably played at a lot more intenselevel to just your normal VFL game.

“Sodefinitely, it’s a big opportunity for guys to play well and put their hands upif they’re in line to possibly get drafted or rookie listed it’s the game to doit in.

Geelong rookie-listed Jason Davenportalso played and was damaging in the second half as he joined in on the WesternAustralian obliteration party.

VFL coachLeigh Tudor watched the match andwas impressed with the performances of Byrne and Davenport.

“Jameswas fantastic – him and Jason were really good,” Tudor said.

“Theyboth got a lot of the ball, but their defensive work and their tackling andtheir spoiling and that (pressure) was outstanding.  They both playedreally well.”

The honorof state captain is yet another feather in the cap for Byrne, whose decoratedfootball career continues to build accolades.

Last season Byrne took out his second club best and fairestaward, was named captain in the Victorian team of the year, came fourth in theJJ Liston Medal and was Geelong’sbest player in last year’s grand final.

But oneglaring omission from his impressive ensemble of football achievements is theelusive accomplishment – a premiership medallion as captain of Geelong.

With theCats on track to emulate last season’s resurgence, perhaps 2007 will see one ofthe VFL’s most deserving players afforded the ultimate prize.