It's a massive highlight. As a kid, I came to watch the Vics play at the 'G when E.J. Whitten was going around in the car and it was a freezing cold day in June. Victoria played South Australia and smashed them and I always thought: 'How good would it be to play for your state'. I played at a younger level, but the game has come back this year and hopefully I'll get to play - it'd be great!
2 - How do you expect the match to be played?
I think it'll be an attacking game, which will be great for the forwards. Hopefully there won't be many defenders dropping back and with the class of the midfield playing, it'll be pretty special leading out to those players.
3 - Where does this match rank in your career?
This ranks high up. I've played in finals and I was picked to play for Australia but didn't end up playing, which was disappointing. But running out in front of 80,000-90,000 people with the best players in the league will be a highlight. It's a massive achievement. When I was a kid, I always wanted to play, so to wear the 'Big V' will be a proud moment.
4 - Which players are you most looking forward to playing with?
It'll be great to play with blokes like Brad Johnson and Jonathan Brown -- you won't be telling him where to go in the forward line. And it'll be great to play with the likes of [Gary] Ablett, [Jimmy] Bartel and [Chris] Judd - that will be awesome.
5 - Which opposition players are you looking forward to taking on?
You play against those blokes anyway, but it'll be good to see their big-name forwards go around. It'll be good to see the likes of the Cornes and the Burgoyne brothers running around too.
6 - What are you favourite State of Origin/representative matches as a fan?
I always remember the Vics and South Australia game in 1995. I got the video tape for Christmas and I used to watch it all the time. It was great to watch them in the rooms before the match and seeing blokes like Danny Frawley, who was with E.J, go up and talk to players like Gary Ablett and Robert Harvey. There was a song they played with it [Hero by Mariah Carey] when E.J. went around the ground in the car and then the Vics absolutely smashed SA. Those memories were awesome.
7 - What are your favourite State of Origin/representative matches as a player?
I played under-16s [for Vic Metro] in Darwin and we won the under-18s [in 1998 for Vic Metro], the year after in Adelaide and got to take the cup home. I still see some of those blokes I played with and against now and you have a bond with them. Hopefully that will happen again in the Hall of Fame Tribute Match, and hopefully the Vics can have a win.
8 - Would you like to see State of Origin/representative matches played every season or on a more regular basis?
I'd like to see it every two or three years, because it gives a new batch of players and the younger kids an opportunity to play. I think it's a pretty special game to play. I think there is a place for it, but whether the powers that be think that remains to be seen. As a player, it'd be great every couple of years.
9 - Who is your tip for the Allen Aylett Medal for best on ground?
I'll say Juddy [Chris Judd].
10 - Who will win the match?
The Vics by a couple of goals. It'll be pretty high-scoring, but hopefully it'll be close for the crowd.
