GEELONG midfielder Joel Corey believes eight-and-a-half years of living in Victoria is not nearly enough to be considered local.
Corey, 26, will not be conflicted at all this Saturday night when he takes to the field against the Big V, with his Western Australian roots still as strong as they were before he became a Cat in 1999.
"I like the idea of beating Victoria, because even though I've lived here for a long time now, everything seems to be focussed on Victoria," he said.
"When you get a chance to actually beat them, it's going to be nice.
"I don't feel like a Victorian, not really. I'm WA through and through, and that's the way it is.
"It would be nice to play for WA as a sole state, but this is the next best thing."
The 2007 All-Australian said his favourite memories of State of Origin football were largely confined to watching the game on television, but did recall witnessing one memorable match in the flesh.
It was The Allies’ eight-point win over Western Australia in 1997, where Scott Cummings slotted eight goals to win the Graham Moss medal for being the best representative from his team.
"I can remember watching a lot of it on TV," Corey said.
"The only game I ever went to was WA's game when Scott Cummings kicked heaps of goals in the wet, and I think we still lost.
"That's my fondest memory of it."
Corey, who was part of Geelong's all-conquering 2007 season, said he welcomed the Hall of Fame weekend as it broke up the monotony of the season and gave players something fresh to look forward to.
He also said while winning last year's premiership remained a favourite memory of his, he'll file this experience alongside it in his bank of football achievements.
"The team thing is great because you do put a lot of effort into it over a long period of time, and not just a week, so it was obviously very satisfying when the team you play for does so well," he said.
"But this almost rivals the doing well as a team thing, because you're so lucky you get to play for the all stars when the opportunity arises."
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match are selling fast. Get your tickets online from the ticketmaster website, via phone on 1300 136 122 or by visiting a ticketmaster outlet.
