Preston was one of two Echuca players, alongside Stephen Wells, selected in the star-studded side.
It was his first year back in the country league after 76 games and a seven-year stint with both Geelong and Richmond in the VFL.
Preston said the representative selection came with added commitment at the time.
But once locked in, it was playing alongside some of the giants of the league, rather than against them, that was a highlight for Preston.
“Tony Jones and I became pretty good mates,” Preston said.
“He ended up coming out to play at Bunnaloo, and was best man at my wedding.
“I really didn’t know him until I played interleague because he was the opposition.
“I haven’t seen all those guys for a while but I’ve kept in touch with the Jones boys and see Mick Lovison around.”
Lead by Rowland Crosby into battle throughout the championship, Preston remembers the team's coach as a "fair" man.
“He was a man’s man and to coach the elite of the Goulburn Valley would have been a bit of an honour for him,” Preston said.
“He probably got as much out of it as we did, especially when you win it.”
Preston said his own selection was a "feather in your cap" at the time, with the Echuca product playing on the wing and off the half-back flank throughout their winning run.
“It’s an extra commitment you’ve got to make,” Preston said.
“But once you start training and knocking around with them, if you play with great players, they are only going to make you better.
“And the standard of the games was higher, so once you get over that commitment, and then you go right through and win it, it’s great fun.”
Preston said undertaking a championship run was a fair commitment and no mean feat.
But like anything, Preston added, if you didn’t take it seriously you would probably end up injured.
“Once you make that commitment, it's head down and bum up,” he said.
MORE ON THE 1978 AND 1984 COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
'Fortunate that I was a part of it': Reid remembers triumph
John Jones: "Right place, right time" for 1984 Country Championship glory
Rochester ruckman a key to GVL ‘golden era'
Tony Jones on the 1984 Country Champs: "We were pretty determined to win it"
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