At a glance:

• Jade Gresham is "still pinching himself" after Friday's State of Origin.
• The 22-year-old was the youngest on the field and booted two goals for the Vics.
• Gresham received a letter from Fitzroy great Garry Wilson right before the match.

For Jade Gresham, pulling on the Big V is an honour he’ll “never forget”. 

The 22-year-old was the youngest player on the field in Friday night’s star-studded spectacle, which helped raise funds for those affected by the recent bushfire crisis. 

And even though he admits he “felt like a baby” next to some of the competition’s greats, you wouldn’t have known if his performance was anything to go by. 

Gresham chalked up 15 disposals and two goals in front of the 51,000-strong crowd, who piled into Marvel Stadium to watch the game’s elite take part in the revived State of Origin. 

“It was a massive honour to put the Big V on, and obviously more so for a very good cause,” Gresham told saints.com.au. 

“I learned a lot from them and saw how they went about it in their preparation and whatnot. 

“It was a great experience and something I’ll never forget.” 

READ: Goals for Gresh, brilliance from Bradley in State of Origin

For Gresham to be hand-picked by dual-Premiership coach Damien Hardwick and be selected in the same company as Dustin Martin, Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Pendlebury is a sign of the upward trajectory he’s on. 

The young Saint was likened to the Collingwood legend on the night in terms of the remarkable opportunity presented to him at a young age. 

Pendlebury represented Victoria in the 2008 Hall of Fame Tribute Match celebrating the game’s 150^th anniversary in just his third season of senior footy. 

“I’m still pinching myself that I got to play out there with all the superstars of the competition,” Gresham said. 

The No. 4 now joins the likes of Trevor Barker, Darrel Baldock, Nathan Burke, Tony Lockett and Robert Harvey – among countless other club legends – as Saints to represent the Big V. 

Gresham’s special night was made even more significant after receiving a personalised letter from Fitzroy legend and AFL Hall of Famer, Garry Wilson. 

Every player received a letter in their locker from a Victorian legend, with the idea orchestrated by coach Hardwick. 

“It was awesome getting a letter from Garry WIlson, he wrote a few pages to me,” Gresham said. 

“He said how special it was to put on the Big V and how important it is to represent your state and do Victoria proud.” 

Wilson represented Victoria 12 times across a career that spanned 268 games. 

Gresham will have the opportunity to notch up three senior hit-outs before Round 1, with the livewire midfielder a possible selection for Sunday's match with Collingwood at Morwell Recreation Reserve.