Melbourne great Garry Lyon has promised fans they will witness the "purest form" of Aussie Rules when they watch Saturday's State of Origin showdown between Victoria and Western Australia in Perth.
A sellout crowd of more than 50,000 fans is set to descend on Optus Stadium for the first AFL State of Origin match since 1999.
Victoria's midfield is the stuff of dreams with the likes of Bailey Smith, Caleb Serong, Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Rowell, Nick Daicos, Zach Merrett, Zak Butters and Noah Anderson all vying for on-ball berths.
Lyon, Victoria's chairman of selectors, was in footy heaven watching the team go through their paces at West Coast's training base Lathlain Park on Thursday.
"This is always the day you look forward to when you get out on the deck and Bailey Smith is kicking it to Matt Rowell is kicking it to Zak Butters - it's footy porn for us," Lyon said.
"They're all excited. The AFL have done an outstanding job throwing a fair bit at this."
Victoria will be coached by Chris Scott, with Dean Cox taking the reins of WA.
Lyon had a clear message to anyone who predicts it will become a 'Mickey Mouse' affair.
"You guys have all had to deal with Chris Scott and (Victoria assistant coach) Sam Mitchell, so you go and tell them that it's going to be half arsed, and see how you go," Lyon said.
Scott has told his players to express themselves out on the field rather than play within rigid systems.
"My experience of this is when they get out there together, they just play," Lyon said.
"That's why I've likened it to the purest form of footy that we'll see.
"They've all got some parameters, but Chris has got such faith in their abilities to work it out."
Lyon has been engaged in a theatrical war of words with WA selector Glen Jakovich in recent months, and the fun and games continued on Thursday.
"We crossed paths in the gym, and Glen Jakovich was just staring at me from the other side of the room," Lyon said.
"I don't know what's wrong with him, but he won't come over and say 'G'day'."
St Kilda defender Jack Sinclair was blown away by the talent on display when he trained with his Victorian teammates on Thursday.
"It was pretty nerve racking to be honest running out there with some of the greats in the game," Sinclair said.
"The skill level was unlike anything I've seen before.
"Wherever you look there are amazing players, and it's hard to make decisions about who to give it to at times."
