GEELONG defender Darren Milburn says the fact 11 of the club's players featured in last Saturday night's Hall of Fame Tribute Match may have helped with the Cats' eighth consecutive win of the season.
Milburn was one of 10 Geelong players to back up in round eight - Mathew Stokes did not play for the Cats as he was suspended - but he suggested the continuity of playing week in-week out could not be underestimated in the AFL.
"I think sometimes it can be a bit of a burden having a week off - you can lose a bit of rhythm. But all of our players that played [last week] are very good players, so they know what they have to do get themselves right," Milburn told gfc.com.au after Geelong's 30-point win over Richmond at the MCG.
"Obviously the conditions were tough, but our boys are probably used to it down at Geelong. But we knew Richmond would come out pretty hard and we had to match them, and after half time, I think we played pretty good football.
"We know other sides are going to come out at us and give their all and we've just got to take that all on board and push through … our scoreboard pressure was amazing [in the third quarter]."
Milburn, who suffered a "knock" to the shoulder when representing Victoria, said he pulled up "pretty well" after taking on the Tigers, having relished his state appearance last week.
"It was good. It was good playing with the best players in the competition," Milburn said.
"I'm not sure how the AFL is going to approach it all, but probably the next time it comes around I won't be around, so it was good to be a part of it. And to represent Victoria was a great honour and probably an opportunity I won't get again.
Milburn said he was in favour of further State of Origin matches, although he wasn't sure if he would gain another opportunity.
"[I'd like to see it played] every couple of years or something like that - I'm not sure how long - but I'd definitely put my hand up [again]," Milburn said.
Milburn, one of the competition's most consistent players, said he attributed his reliability to belief and experience.
"I think confidence comes around with experience, and being around the game for a while now you know what to do and when to do it, and that's the main thing [to do] to keep consistent", Milburn said.
"[I try and] do the team things make sure our team's winning and that's the main goal."