DREAM Team stars Brett Burton and Kane Cornes have backed an Olympic-style approach to representative football, which would see a game, similar to the Hall of Fame Tribute match, played every four years.
AFLPA vice-president Burton said, while it was not feasible to play such a game on a yearly-basis, it was important players still had the opportunity to represent their state.
“One of the reasons State of Origin footy fell over was because you couldn’t get coaches and players committing to it every year,” Burton said.
“If you do it every three, four or five years, what it means is that you get players who really want to get involved because they might only have the opportunity to play once of twice in their whole career.
“Then you’ll see there’s more of a burning desire to want to play and represent your state.
“You saw the involvement of the players last week. I didn’t speak to one player, regardless of whether they were involved in the game or not, that didn’t want to be a part of it, so I think it’s definitely got some legs.
“The game got 70,000 people to the MCG, which is a good effort. All the coaches, the staff and everyone I spoke to was really excited about it and enjoyed the week.”
Port Adelaide midfielder Cornes, who lined up alongside his traditional Crows rival Burton on Saturday night, agreed that a four-year-gap might be the way to go.
After the game Cornes was asked if representative footy had a future and his response was ‘no’, but after talking to other players involved in the MCG blockbuster, the All-Australian had changed his tune.
“Possibly every four years might work. When I was asked the same question after the game I hadn’t though about it too much and I hadn’t spoken to any of the other players about what they thought - it was just my opinion,” he said.
“I just thought it would make it all the more special if the game was a one-off. I thought it would take away from the game if it were a regular thing. They said it was going to be a one-off and if they stick to their word it would be great and the players that played can look back with fond memories.
“But [in saying that], in four years time it would probably be as special as it was on Saturday.
“The game was just an amazing experience and probably the second biggest highlight of my career behind the [2004] Grand Final. I loved every minute of it and it was one of the best weeks of my life.
“Coming together with the superstars of the AFL- you don’t really know what to expect, but the quality of football and the quality of people we were working with was great. The AFL were just terrific in the way they organised it and the boys were right into it and wanted to win.”
Burton said the Dream Team’s loss to Victoria on Saturday night was compounded by the fact there might never be a chance for redemption.
“We were shattered after the game. It’s also disappointing because you know that you’re not going to get the opportunity to beat them again next year,” he said.
“We don’t know when they are going to play another game like this, if ever, so unfortunately Victoria has the edge and the bragging rights and that’s what happens when you win.”
He also denied suggestions it was the spirit of the Big V jumper that got Victoria over the line in the dying stages.
“We had opportunities to win in the last quarter, but we didn’t nail our goals and I think that was the difference in the end. From my point of view, there was certainly a burning desire and passion to play for the Dream Team guernsey simply because of the fact that I hate Victorians,” Burton said.
“You grow up as a South Australian and anyone that is South Australian, West Australian, a Queenslander or Tasmanian - anyone outside of Victoria - hates, well hate is probably a strong word, but has that dislike for the Victorian jumper, Victorians and whoever plays for them in that game.”
