Burton against annual state football

Sportal ©

The Dream Team has thrown its support behind representative football and would like another crack at beating Victoria; albeit a few years down the track.

Brett Burton said the AFL 'owed it to the players' to hold similar games in the future but added the concept would only work if it was used sparingly.

"We've seen that state of origin died out because when you are doing it every year, it's fair enough the clubs want to protect their players," Burton said.

"I think if you play it every year it will go like state of origin."

The Adelaide forward said the showcase game should be played every four years.

"Then players genuinely think 'I might only get one chance in my career or two chances' so they are going to, like everyone did for this game, jump at the chance," he said.

"Fans would hang out to see it, players, coaches, staff would want to be involved in it."

Burton was also in favour of maintaining the Dream Team/Big V programming, rather than returning to state versus state football. And he said the game should remain at the MCG because it can hold the biggest crowd.

"I think having the Big V really draws people in. If you had East versus West or something like that I don't think you would've got as bigger crowd or as much interest," he said.

"You've still got the Big V which has some long history and then you've got the best of the rest."

Port Adelaide participant Shaun Burgoyne said he would be open to playing for the Dream Team in the future.

"If it comes back again and I'm fit I'll definitely put my hand up because it's such a great atmosphere to be in," Burgoyne said.

The classy on-baller said the players were in favour of representative football.

"We've seen a lot of the guys really put their hands up and they really wanted to beat the Vics," he said.

"It wasn't a Mickey Mouse game."

Burton agreed nearly every player had thrown their support behind the concept.

"I haven't spoken to any player in the competition that doesn't want to play or any past who's said they didn't want to play state of origin," he said.