29 May 1999: Brent Harvey, number 19 for Victoria in the rooms with trophy and medal after being presented with the E.J Whitten Medal, after the State of Origin match between Victoria and South Australia, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. Victoria defeated South Australia. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dadswell/ALLSPORT

Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon believes the AFL should further recognise the achievements of players by naming State of Origin teams at the end of each season.

State of Origin hasn't been on the football calendar since 1999 - despite a one off match between Victoria and the All-Stars in 2008 - although its revival continues to be a debate among players with Scott Pendlebury and Gary Ablett leading the charge to bring the series back.

Lyon isn't calling for the off-season matches to return, although he does believes that players like Jobe Watson and Liam Picken for example could have more achievements to their name when they finish their careers.

“At the end of his career he (Watson) is a four-time Essendon best and fairest, three-time All Australian and nine-time Victorian representative,” Lyon said.

“These guys are missing out on one of the greatest honors that we were fortunate to enjoy as players.

“Liam Picken may this year, back in the day, played for Victoria in State of Origin footy.

“What a great story that would have been for that kid.

“I know he won the premiership, so that supersedes everything, but there is other players that aren’t having that opportunity to be recognised.”

During his illustrious career, Lyon represented Victoria on 10 occasions, and captained the Big V in 1994.