GEELONG'S mercurial forward Steve Johnson has expressed his disappointment at the negative publicity that has dogged the lead-up to Saturday night's Hall Of Fame match, declaring it will be "just about the greatest match you'll see in terms of talent".

"I reckon it's been a bit disappointing that the only thing that seems to be on the news is that players might be missing, whereas it's still going to be a showcase match, still 45 of the best players in the competition going up against each other," the Cats' Norm Smith medallist said yesterday.

"It's a little bit disappointing that all you hear from the media is that (Jonathan) Brown might not play, or (Gary) Ablett might not play, or (Nick) Riewoldt's out. I just hope the supporters get along, because it's going to be just about the greatest match you'll see in terms of talent."

Johnson said he expected an attacking, free-flowing contest that would be a tremendous spectacle. "Personally, playing for Victoria is going to be a massive honour. I'll be wearing the jumper with pride. It's just a great experience that we're going to have."

Johnson was joined in expressing frustration by his teammates Matthew Stokes and Joel Corey who were bewildered that there would be concern at missing players when Buddy Franklin, Matthew Pavlich, Jimmy Bartel, Dean Cox and others were all playing in the one match.

Stokes said: "There is some unbelievable talent in this game. That is what it's about. You are never going to get this opportunity in the next couple of years and the amount of skill we have in this game, it is going to be a great."

Johnson will be one of up to eight Cats wearing the Big V on Saturday night, under the tutelage of Geelong coach Mark Thompson, while teammates Corey, Stokes, Cameron Mooney and Corey Enright could all line-up with the opposition Dream Team.

All of which offers a rare football prospect: for only the second time in 33 matches, several Geelong players will taste defeat.

"I remember what it's like, it hasn't been that long," Johnson said, adding that winning was very much the common goal among the Vics. "It hasn't really come into my mind, losing. Someone's going to, but hopefully it's not us."

The two squads, which will be trimmed to 25 tomorrow, gathered in Melbourne for a dinner last night, and Johnson said the baiting between the allies-turned-foes from Geelong was on in earnest.

"We had a photo shoot last week where we all put on the strip and were stood on opposite sides of the room, and there was a bit of cheap talk flying around. I think everyone's had a bit to say," Johnson said.

"The Victorian boys are probably more proud to wear the jumper than what the other boys are."

Stokes said the idea of being a rare loser among the Geelong fold was significant motivation.

"Obviously, we want to go in and win every game so whoever loses is going to have a bit of slack put up them during the week," Stokes said.

Corey added: "For blokes like Lingy (Cameron Ling) and Jimmy (Bartel) it would be a novel experience but some of us lost in round 21. It is nice to be in that position (of being undefeated) and hopefully it is not me that loses."

Johnson was a 15-year-old in Wangaratta when the last state-of-origin match was played in 1999, and only a lad when the Victorian teams of the Ted Whitten era were going around.

But he remembers being fixed in front of the television for every state game.

"I always used to watch it. I remember Gary Ablett firing in a couple of them, and I used to dream of one day having the opportunity."