And the AFL would be hard-pressed to find more enthusiastic supporters of the concept that will see 50 of the League's best players go head-to-head when Victoria takes on the Dream Team at the MCG.
Skilton, a three-time Brownlow Medallist who represented Victoria 25 times during his esteemed career, said playing alongside footballers who were usually your opponents offered a rare opportunity to improve your own game.
“To play with the best, train with the best, you came back a better player,” he said.
“Particularly if you’re lucky enough to get a game for your state when you’re young and you really learn from those senior players, just being out there with them.
“It’s one thing to play against somebody, another thing to get out there and play with them.
“You also learn how a bloke goes about it and you can use that against him down the track. It’s like playing with a guy in a test side (in cricket). When you go back to play for your state, you know more what his strengths are and his weaknesses are.”
Tasmanian-born Hudson, who represented his home state three times and Victoria on eight occasions, said playing in representative sides such as the ‘Big V’ provided a crash course that helped players better their games quickly.
“You play with the same guys every week, week-in, week-out and you get to know their game very, very well,” he said.
“Once you play in a team and play alongside someone like Bob [Skilton] and John Nicholls and people like that, I think you learn from it.
“We used to see one another twice a year and you’re playing against them and you don’t learn that much in two games but when you play with guys in a team you think, ‘I knew he was a champion but how the hell did he do that?’
“And then you start thinking about how he did it and then you think, ‘Well maybe I can do that’.”
Both agreed that the friendships they formed during their playing days - with teammates and opponents - helped them to learn more about their counterparts on-field.
“The thing that happens invariably is that it improves your game,” Hudson said.
“When you’re playing against great players, you realise how good they are,” Skilton added. “But we still had a lot more to do with them in our day because after a game the two teams mixed together, whereas today they don’t appear to mix anywhere near as much.
“But really we played in an era where we’re close mates with the guys that we played against.
“Some of my closest friends today are guys that I played against and also played for Victoria with. And that’s great. It just adds to what you’ve done a little bit more.”
Skilton and Hudson encouraged players in the Hall of Fame match, yet to be selected, to cherish the honour of their opportunity.
“I couldn’t wait to represent Victoria,” Skilton said. “To have Hudson at full-forward and Hart at centre half-forward, Whitten as captain.”
“I think one of the biggest things is to be playing with guys who you play against,” Hudson agreed.
“You know they’re the best of the best and to be rubbing shoulders with them is just so unique. I think that’s one of the biggest things they’ll get out of it.
“I would be amazed if every player in the competition, of the 640, didn’t want to play in that game and represent what it stands for.”
Tickets to the Australian Football Hall of Fame Tribute Match are now available:
- At ticketmaster.com.au.
- By calling 1300 136 122
- By visiting a Ticketmaster outlet
Club member, general public & AFL member ticket information
Club members & general public: eight tickets per transaction
AFL members: one ticket per member, option to purchase up to two guest passes per member. Limit of 16 tickets per transaction
Prices:
Premium | Prime | Standard | |
Club members |
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|
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Adult | $45.00 | $35.00 | $20.00 |
Concession | $30.00 | $20.00 | $15.00 |
Junior (under 15) | $10.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
Family (2 adults, 2 juniors under 15) | $97.60 | $77.60 | $43.60 |
General public |
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|
|
Adult | $50.00 | $40.00 | $25.00 |
Concession | $35.00 | $25.00 | $20.00 |
Junior (under 15) | $15.00 | $10.00 | $8.00 |
Family (2 adults, 2 juniors under 15) | $117.60 | $93.60 | $59.60 |
AFL members | AFL RESERVE | ||
Adult member | $12.00 | ||
Concession member | $12.00 | ||
Junior member | $6.00 | ||
Adult guest | $35.00 | ||
Concession guest | $20.00 | ||
Junior guest | $10.00 | ||
