HOWE’S TIP ON ORIGIN
Players will be keen to put their hand up, says Magpie
LUKE EDMUNDS
TASMANIA’S flying Magpie Jeremy Howe says a successful Bushfire Relief match could open the door for traditional State of Origin clashes in the future.
The Collingwood defender said players outside of Victoria would equally relish the chance to represent their state.
“We’ll see how [Bushfire Relief] goes in the short-term but I feel like it [players representing their state] would be something people want to play in in the future,” Howe said.
“Guys will be definitely keen to put their hand up.
“It’s definitely attracted plenty of interest … you’ve only got to look at the players that have put their hand up and said, ‘yep I want to play.’
“It’s got everyone talking about it. The people who are playing are stoked.” Next Friday night’s charity clash has drawn elite players from around the country headlined by Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury and Brownlow Medal winners Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin. Tasmanians Jack Riewoldt and Lachie Weller join Howe in the All Stars side.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the field with a bunch of A-grade stars. I’m nothing when compared to those guys so to play with them and alongside them is going to be a pretty cool experience,” the 29-year-old said.
Howe said the Tasmanian AFL Team Taskforce business case had been noticed in Melbourne.
“I definitely keep an eye on what’s happening and am interested to see how it plays out,” Howe said. “I know there’s a lot of talk around what can happen. It’s good that its happening, I feel like there used to not be a lot of action.
“It’s got everyone’s attention, it’s just whether or not we can keep moving forward because I feel like everyone down there deserves a team.”
Howe said the Bushfire Relief match would provide a welcome end to the pre-season grind. He said he’d not had a chance to lobby coach John Longmire over where he would line up.
“It would be nice playing in the forward line having all these A-graders kicking it down your throat,” Howe said.