AS A PLAYER, I would love to have the honour of playing in a state-of-origin match for Tasmania or The Allies.

From a club perspective it's a different issue. Clubs aren't too keen on their players representing their states or territories and therefore the AFL is probably caught between the two parties.

There is talk of state-of-origin being reintroduced and I definitely would want to be a part of it, just as I'm sure Victorians would love to see it played. With Chris Judd, Jonathan Brown, Barry Hall and Cameron Bruce running around for the "Big V" – it would be some sight to see.

I represented the under-18 Tasmanian team and it was a great experience. There are more Tassie boys running around again in the AFL and it would be great to play alongside Matthew Richardson – he's a superstar of the game.

When I first came to Melbourne I played alongside the Febey twins – Steve and Matthew – while my current teammate Russell Robertson is another great Tasmanian playing in the game. We'll even claim "Neita" as he was born in Tassie.

There is some fine young Tasmanian talent – including Hawthorn's Grant Birchall, the Brisbane Lions' Justin Sherman and more recently Richmond's Jack Riewoldt.

I remember when I was a young fella growing up, Tasmania defeated Victoria at North Hobart Oval and it was an amazing sight to see – it really brought the state together, so if we could see it played again, it would be great.

One of the issues surrounding state-of-origin is the timing of the series.

Pre-season and post-season has been mentioned, but I think the best time to play it would be mid-season, similar to the rugby league state-of-origin series. They thrive on the state-against-state and mate-against-mate passion.

Even if the state-of-origin players had to miss a home-and-away match – so be it. Imagine Victoria playing South Australia or Western Australia at the MCG on Wednesday night – I'm sure you'd get 70,000 or 80,000 people there.

A lot of players would love to play in a state-of-origin match, particularly if they never experience a grand final.

I was fortunate enough to represent Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland in 2004 and play with James Hird, Nick Riewoldt, Brett Kirk and Nathan Brown, which was great. You learn so much from these players and I took plenty from that series when I returned to Melbourne.

Now, looking back on last Sunday loss to the Kangaroos – it was simply a gut-wrenching defeat.

You can look at it and think: 'What do we have to do to get a win?' You can go home and kick the cat, sook and mope around – but that's not going to do any good – you've got to remain upbeat and positive.

As a senior player, if I drop my head and a younger player sees that, it's not good for our club. I've got to remain an extrovert, show the young guys the way, and show them that the wheel will turn and a win won't be far away.

Sure, it has been hard backing up from close defeats and it has been a tough way to start the year, but we think if we can play four quarters, we can match it against anyone. That's the belief we have in our team and our aim is to carry that out.