We do much the same things with much the same people week after week. Especially living in a one-team-town like Brisbane, we can get a bit isolated.
But it’s our job, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
But every now and then it’s great to do something a bit different. To escape the routine and to see the football world from a different perspective. Like next week’s Hall of Fame Tribute Match.
I’m really looking forward to it, and hoping to get a game for the Dream Team and a chance to take on the Big V of Victoria in front of a packed house at the MCG.
If I’m totally honest, I’d like it even more if it was my home state of Western Australia playing against Victoria, but I understand and accept why that’s not happening.
If I’m lucky enough to be selected it’ll be a terrific honour to play with and against the cream of the AFL in what I’m sure will be a game of electric pace, and a real test.
There’s just something special about state footy, or anything that is a bit above the norm.
As a kid growing up in Perth, Chris Mainwaring was my hero, and my first vivid memory of interstate footy was when he captained WA to a big win over Victoria on a Tuesday night at the WACA in 1991.
Peter Sumich kicked six goals, Paul Harding won the Simpson Medal as WA’s best, and guys like Peter Matera and Glen Jakovich were also in the WA side. It was sensational.
I was fortunate enough to represent WA at under-18 level and that, too, was another highlight because it was above and beyond normal football routine. I’ve still got that jumper, even though we didn’t wear the traditional gold strip with the black swan.
It’s a shame there isn’t regular State of Origin football any more because I would have loved a crack at it.
Chatting this week with Justin Leppitsch, he recounted how much it meant to him to play in the last State of Origin game in 1999. It was great at the time, he says, but it’s something that means even more in retirement.
Nigel Lappin, too, loved his time with the ‘Big V’ and he’s desperately disappointed that injury has ruled him out of next week’s game.
The nearest thing I’ve come to senior interstate footy was in 2001 when I was fortunate enough to play for Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Coming off the Lions’ first premiership, I wasn’t exactly in perfect shape and didn’t set the world on fire. I struggled with the round ball and I remember in the second game I got so sick of kicking it straight to the Irish that I ended up trying to handball everything.
We were beaten 2-0 in front of crowds of 49,000 at the MCG and 32,000 at AAMI Stadium, but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment. It was a fantastic experience getting to know guys who ordinarily would just be an opponent once or twice a year.
I really enjoyed playing with Andrew McLeod in that series and he’s a fantastic choice as Dream Team captain. And it was terrific getting to know blokes like Simon Goodwin and Brent Harvey.
I’ve still got the 2001 Australian team jumper at home, signed by all the boys, and I’m sure if the opportunity arises I’ll be pestering a few blokes to sign another keepsake after the Hall of Fame game.
It’s hard to know what to expect next week but just spending time in the team camp with guys from other clubs and seeing how other people operate at close quarters will be terrific.
I’ve only ever met Dream Team coach Mark Williams once - at last year’s Brownlow Medal dinner - but his reputation for a terrific pre-game rev-up precedes him so that’ll be interesting.
I’ve got no idea who’ll go in favourites but I can tell you there’s some serious talent among the big guys in the forward lines of each side.
I wouldn’t want to be picking from Buddy Franklin, Matthew Pavlich, Nick Riewoldt, Matty Richardson and Cam Mooney on the Dream Team or Jonathan Brown, Brendan Fevola, Daniel Bradshaw, Matty Lloyd and Travis Cloke in the Big V, but whoever they pick it’s going to be special.
I’m happy I’m not a defender, and happy, too, that I lack a yard of pace so probably won’t be sent down into defence to help out.
The Victorian midfield, led by Chris Judd, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Luke Hodge, is intimidating to say the least. It’s fair to assume you’ll earn every kick.
I’ve heard the odd person say it’s an exhibition game and that blokes won’t be fair-dinkum, but I can’t have that. There’s real prestige in being selected, as has been evident in comments made by players who have missed out.
And when you get 50-odd top players together the competitive juices and the personal pride will start flowing. Nobody will want to be embarrassed so everyone will have a red hot crack.
I’m also looking forward to spending a bit of time with players from both sides after the game. It’ll be a bit like the old traditional after-match function, which is something we don’t get a chance to do any more.
Whatever happens and whoever wins I hope everyone gets through unscathed because the last thing we need is a lasting negative for what shapes as a fantastic celebration of footy.
