John Brumby has extended his support for his state, in colour and voice, as Victoria prepares for its clash with the Dream Team.
"I really encourage people to get out there and get behind the 'Big V', support the Victorians, and send a message to the rest of Australia about who rules," he said on Wednesday.
Sporting a Victorian strip and flanked by Collingwood pair Dale Thomas and Travis Cloke – members of the 40-man squad – the Premier appealed to all football fans to get behind the state side that will take on the Dream Team next Saturday night at the MCG.
"This is the biggest game of the decade, and I like to think of it as Victoria versus the rest of the world," Mr Brumby said.
"Here it was, 150 years ago, that the game originated here in Melbourne. It was developed here in Victoria and Victorians are going to be proudly wearing the 'Big V' on May 10."
He also challenged his interstate rivals to get behind the combined side and make the trip to Melbourne to see the best of the rest take on Victoria.
"I encourage all of my fellow premiers to attend the game," he said. "Come in force, bring as many supporters as you want, come from all around Australia. Come from WA, come from Queensland, and come from South Australia, in particular.
"(South Australian premier) Mike Rann is coming and that will be great.
"I would also like to encourage all Victorians to get out there and support what will be, I think, a fantastic game.
"I've just been talking to Dale and Travis, and the MCG is in magnificent condition. It is fantastic to play on, the new grandstand seats 90,000 people plus, and it will be a great game."
Mr Brumby said he would like to see a "strong win" by the Victorians but, regardless of the result, would enjoy a match that promises to celebrate the history of Australian football.
"I would like to a good game, hard fought and of high quality and standard," he said. "I would also like to see good sportsmanship, but hard fought, so a tough game – but one that we win.
"They are the best features of footy, so we'd like to see the skills, the tough contests, and two teams out there who both would like to win.
"I think we'll see that Saturday week."
An avid Collingwood supporter, Mr Brumby suggested Victoria's winning margin would be determined by the number of Magpies that line up in the final side.
"I do think it will be Victoria by 27 points," he said.
"I think it will be a close game, but we'll get through. We've got a lot of champions that are playing, and you look at the squad and you could randomly select from that and you'd still have a fantastic Victorian team.
"You see the calibre of these two guys, Dale Thomas and Travis Cloke, they're absolute champions. But it will be a team of champions, and the main thing is they're representing Victoria and a proud state – the state that developed the game.
"Victorians want to see us win."
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match can be purchased online via the ticketmaster website or by calling the ticketmaster phone booking service on 1300 136 122.
