E. J. Whitten Legends Game
Encyclopedia
The E. J. Whitten Legends Game is an annual charity
Australian rules football
All-star game
, where retired star players are reunited, along with selected non-footballing celebrities, in a State of Origin
interstate game
, between Victoria
and the All Stars (representing the rest of Australia
).
, a former Footscray Football Club
player who died of prostate cancer
in 1995, was regarded as one of the greatest ever players of the game. He was also passionate about State of Origin football
. With his enthusiasm and ability to keep in the media spotlight, Ted had kept State of Origin going for many years, and his emotional farewell at the Victoria vs South Australia
game at the MCG in 1995 will long be remembered as a symbol of State of Origin passion. Shortly after his death, the concept was brought into question and the last such game was played in 1999.
When he died, his son, Ted Jnr, launched a foundation for research into prostate cancer, and the Legends Game raises money for the foundation. So far, more than $750,000 has been raised for the E. J. Whitten Foundation.
The first ever Legends Match was played at the Western Oval
, home of the Footscray/Western Bulldogs
, EJ Whitten's club. Most of the games have been televised
free-to-air in Victoria and South Australia. Due to popularity of the event, later games were moved to bigger venues. And for the past few years the game has been held at Etihad Stadium (formerly known as Telstra Dome).
To many, the Legends Game has since then become an important substitute for official State of Origin games. More recently, the relevance of the matches has been brought to question on several occasions, along with a renewed push for an official State of Origin series (as a result of increased Australian rules football participation in New South Wales
and Queensland
).
Wins:
All Stars 8
Victoria 7
Draws 1
Biggest Win:
Victoria by 19 points in 1997
Highest Score:
Victoria (111) in 2011
Lowest Score:
All Stars and Victoria 38 in 2000- Draw
Most Man of the Matches: John Platten
2 (All Stars)
and Sydney
star Derek Kickett
.
Adding comedy to the event were comedians Peter Rowsthorn and Russell Gilbert
, who made regular appearances in games despite their obvious lack of skill.
Among the celebrity guests was Tasmania
n Todd Russell, one of the miners rescued in the Beaconsfield mine collapse
http://origin.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19096117%255E11088,00.html. He did not play in the match though, because he still had injuries from the accident.
The Victorian side was coached by Danny Frawley
, whilst the All-Stars were coached by Wayne Carey
and guest Todd Russell.
Speckies
were taken by Victoria's Dermott Brereton
and All-Star Adrian Fletcher
.
Dermott Brereton
dished out rough play on former Hawthorn teammate John Platten
, including an illegal elbow to Platten's head whilst the rover attempted to tackle and an illegal bump behind play.
A male streaker
was arrested by security guards in the third quarter.
Guest appearances included comedians Peter Rowsthorn and Russell Gilbert
and legendary Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
full-forward Simon Goosey.
The shootout at the end only featured 4 kickers per side, unlike the 5 stated by commentators.
comedy duo Hamish & Andy
, with Hamish
playing for the All Stars and Andy
playing for Victoria. Andy managed to score 2 goals, while Hamish scored a spectacular goal, shaving the ball off the outside of his boot to trickle in for a goal. Bryan Strauchan
made his second appearance for Victoria and kicked 3 goals. Underbelly
star Rodger Corser
made his debut for Victoria.
Chris Connolly
coached the Victorian team and Neale Daniher
coached of the All Stars.
Darryl White
, the former Brisbane defender, won the best on ground award.
, who kicked four goals despite playing only for a quarter of the playing time. Bryan Strauchan
, Damian Monkhorst
, Tony Modra
and jockey Craig Newitt also scored well. During the last quarter it was picked up on television Nathan Brown (a runner for the Victorian team) exchanging words to Nathan Thompson and stated that it was a "A legends game mate. You shouldn't be playing" however, nothing became of the exchange.
, the judge of the final score, deemed that the goal had been kicked after the siren had blown, and therefore was discounted. This decision was made in direct contradiction to the laws of the AFL, which state that the time from which a goal can be within match time is from the drop of the ball from the hands. Lyon said "It went through the goals after the siren", which was irrelevant. There was also much controversy about an All Stars mark directly in the goal-square that was not awarded by the umpire. After original thoughts that the All Stars had won, there was then a claim that there would be a shoot out, before finally it was announced that Victoria had won the match. The All-stars' Brodie Holland
, formerly of Fremantle and Collingwood, had won Man of the Match.
In the final minutes of the match, Victorian runner Shane Crawford
was "substituted" on to the ground, and coach Sam Newman put 24 players on the ground, instead of the legal 18. It is speculated that the All Stars had as many as 22 players on the ground, although there was no coverage of their interchange bench, so this was not confirmed.
Victorian Team
Coach: Sam "Fossil" Newman
1. Damian "Monkey" Monkhorst
2. Chris Johnson
2. Wayne Schwass
3. Nathan Burke
4. Michael Martyn
5. Rohan Smith
6. John Barnes
7. Nathan Brown
8. Lance Whitnall
9. Jess Sinclair
9. Michael "Wippa" Wipfli
9. Craig "Hutchy" Hutchison
11. Nick Sautner
11. Joel Smith
19. Ben Dixon
21. Heath Black
23. Dean Rice
23. Anthony Rocca
24. Nick Stevens
28. Paul Dimattina
31. David Mensch
35. Simon "Presti" Prestigiacomo
37. Angelo Lekkas
39. Ang Christou
39. Tony "Liba" Liberatore
43. Anthony "Kouta" Koutoufides (Captain)
44. Nigel Lappin
59. Bryan "Strachanie" Strauchan
All Stars Team
Coach: Neil Balme
1. Richard Champion
2. Nick Davis
2. Nick Holland
4. Craig McRae
6. Brodie Holland
8. Nathan Bassett
8. Ronnie Burns
9. Tyson Edwards
10. Nick Daffy
11. Des Headland
12. Jason "Aker" Akermanis
13. Martin Pike
15. Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald
15. Mal Michael
16. Paul Barnard
16. Warren Tredrea
18. Wayne "The Duck" Carey (Captain)
19. Michael O'Loughlin
21. Richie Vandenberg
24. Russell Robertson
28. Jared Crouch
29. Shaun Smith
33. Paul Hudson
33. Phil Matera
34. Troy Luff
36. Simon Goodwin
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
All-star game
All-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
, where retired star players are reunited, along with selected non-footballing celebrities, in a State of Origin
Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
interstate game
Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
, between Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and the All Stars (representing the rest of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
).
History
E. J. "Ted" WhittenTed Whitten
Edward James "EJ" Whitten was an Australian rules football player and media personality. He played a then-record 321 Victorian Football League games for the Footscray Football Club between 1951 and 1970...
, a former Footscray Football Club
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
player who died of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
in 1995, was regarded as one of the greatest ever players of the game. He was also passionate about State of Origin football
Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
. With his enthusiasm and ability to keep in the media spotlight, Ted had kept State of Origin going for many years, and his emotional farewell at the Victoria vs South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
game at the MCG in 1995 will long be remembered as a symbol of State of Origin passion. Shortly after his death, the concept was brought into question and the last such game was played in 1999.
When he died, his son, Ted Jnr, launched a foundation for research into prostate cancer, and the Legends Game raises money for the foundation. So far, more than $750,000 has been raised for the E. J. Whitten Foundation.
The first ever Legends Match was played at the Western Oval
Whitten Oval
Whitten Oval is a stadium in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located at 417 Barkly Street, West Footscray. It is the training and administrative headquarters of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, which competes in the Australian Football League.Formerly known as the...
, home of the Footscray/Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
, EJ Whitten's club. Most of the games have been televised
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
free-to-air in Victoria and South Australia. Due to popularity of the event, later games were moved to bigger venues. And for the past few years the game has been held at Etihad Stadium (formerly known as Telstra Dome).
To many, the Legends Game has since then become an important substitute for official State of Origin games. More recently, the relevance of the matches has been brought to question on several occasions, along with a renewed push for an official State of Origin series (as a result of increased Australian rules football participation in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
).
Match results
| Year | Venue | Scores | Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | All-Stars | Result | |||
| 1996 | Western Oval Whitten Oval Whitten Oval is a stadium in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located at 417 Barkly Street, West Footscray. It is the training and administrative headquarters of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, which competes in the Australian Football League.Formerly known as the... , Footscray Footscray, Victoria Footscray is a suburb 5 km west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Maribyrnong. At the 2006 Census, Footscray had a population of 11,401.... |
10.13 (73) | 13.9 (87) | All-Stars won by 14 points | |
| 1997 | Whitten Oval Whitten Oval Whitten Oval is a stadium in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located at 417 Barkly Street, West Footscray. It is the training and administrative headquarters of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, which competes in the Australian Football League.Formerly known as the... , Footscray Footscray, Victoria Footscray is a suburb 5 km west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Maribyrnong. At the 2006 Census, Footscray had a population of 11,401.... |
10.11 (71) | 7.10 (52) | Victoria won by 19 points | |
| 1998 | Whitten Oval Whitten Oval Whitten Oval is a stadium in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located at 417 Barkly Street, West Footscray. It is the training and administrative headquarters of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, which competes in the Australian Football League.Formerly known as the... , Footscray Footscray, Victoria Footscray is a suburb 5 km west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Maribyrnong. At the 2006 Census, Footscray had a population of 11,401.... |
8.6 (54) | 7.10 (52) | Victoria won by 2 points | |
| 1999 | Adelaide Oval Adelaide Oval The Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the Central Business District and North Adelaide... , Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million... |
7.12 (54) | 8.8 (56) | All-Stars won by 2 points | |
| 2000 | Shell Stadium, Geelong | 6.2 (38) | 5.8 (38) | Draw | |
| 2001 | Optus Oval, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
6.11 (47) | 7.5 (47) | Draw, All-Stars won goal kickoff | |
| 2002 | Optus Oval, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
10.3 (63) | 10.8 (68) | All-Stars won by 5 points | |
| 2003 | Telstra Dome, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
1.10.7 (76) | 3.6.12 (75) | Victoria won by 1 point | 18,611 |
| 2004 | Telstra Dome, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
3.7.7 (76) | 1.12.4 (85) | All-Stars won by 9 points | 18,000 (approx.) |
| 2005 | Telstra Dome, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
3.9.6 (87) | 0.10.9 (69) | Victoria won by 18 points | 13,000 (approx.) |
| 2006 | Telstra Dome, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
1.12.7 (88) | 5.5.13 (88) | Draw, Victoria won goal kickoff (0.3.1 to 0.2.2) | 13,000 (approx.) |
| 2007 | Telstra Dome, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
1.9.7 (70) | 0.13.7 (85) | All-Stars won by 15 points | 12,897 |
| 2008 | Telstra Dome, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
1.10.9 (78) | 0.12.8 (80) | All-Stars won by 2 points | 24,452 |
| 2009 | Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
0.13.9 (87) | 0.11.6 (72) | Victoria won by 15 points | 20,883 |
| 2010 | Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
0.12.12 (84) | 2.11.7 (91) | All Stars won by 7 points | 25,347 |
| 2011 | Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
4.12.3 (111) | 2.14.7 (109) | Victoria won by 2 points | 25,086 |
Wins:
All Stars 8
Victoria 7
Draws 1
Biggest Win:
Victoria by 19 points in 1997
Highest Score:
Victoria (111) in 2011
Lowest Score:
All Stars and Victoria 38 in 2000- Draw
Most Man of the Matches: John Platten
John Platten
John Patrick "The Rat" Platten is a former Australian rules footballer. With his unruly tangle of curls he was a distinctive figure on the field with tremendous tenacity and the ability to accumulate possessions week after week.-Career:Platten began his career with the Central District Bulldogs...
2 (All Stars)
2005
2005's game was notable for a sensational goal scored by former EssendonEssendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
star Derek Kickett
Derek Kickett
Derek Thomas Kickett is a former Australian rules footballer. A journeyman, Kickett played with seven different VFL/AFL, WAFL and SANFL clubs through his career....
.
Adding comedy to the event were comedians Peter Rowsthorn and Russell Gilbert
Russell Gilbert
Russell Gilbert , is an Australian comedian and actor from Footscray, Victoria.-Television:He has appeared in several Australian TV comedies, first attracting notice as 'Russ the Postie' on The Comedy Company , which led to a nine year stint on Hey Hey It's Saturday...
, who made regular appearances in games despite their obvious lack of skill.
2006
The 2006 event was held on June 14 at the Telstra Dome.Among the celebrity guests was Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
n Todd Russell, one of the miners rescued in the Beaconsfield mine collapse
Beaconsfield mine collapse
The Beaconsfield Mine collapse occurred on 25 April 2006 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, Australia. Of the 17 people who were in the mine at the time, 14 escaped immediately following the collapse, one was killed and the remaining two were found alive using a remote-controlled device...
http://origin.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19096117%255E11088,00.html. He did not play in the match though, because he still had injuries from the accident.
The Victorian side was coached by Danny Frawley
Danny Frawley
Danny Frawley is a former Australian rules footballer and coach and a current football commentator with Fox Sports.He is the nephew of Collingwood player Des Tuddenham and the uncle of current Melbourne Football Club player James Frawley.- Football career :Recruited from Ballarat, after attending...
, whilst the All-Stars were coached by Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the North Melbourne and Adelaide Football Clubs in the Australian Football League ....
and guest Todd Russell.
Speckies
Specky
A spectacular mark is a term for a type of mark in Australian rules football...
were taken by Victoria's Dermott Brereton
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Hugh Brereton is a former Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Of Irish descent , he is known for his aggressive style of play. Brereton kicked 464 goals and played in five Premierships for during...
and All-Star Adrian Fletcher
Adrian Fletcher
Adrian Fletcher is a former Australian rules footballer and current assistant coach. He is regarded as one of football's nomads, having played for five Australian Football League clubs in his 13 year career...
.
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Hugh Brereton is a former Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Of Irish descent , he is known for his aggressive style of play. Brereton kicked 464 goals and played in five Premierships for during...
dished out rough play on former Hawthorn teammate John Platten
John Platten
John Patrick "The Rat" Platten is a former Australian rules footballer. With his unruly tangle of curls he was a distinctive figure on the field with tremendous tenacity and the ability to accumulate possessions week after week.-Career:Platten began his career with the Central District Bulldogs...
, including an illegal elbow to Platten's head whilst the rover attempted to tackle and an illegal bump behind play.
A male streaker
Streaking
Streaking is the act of running nude through a public place.-History:On 5 July 1799, a Friday evening at 7 o'clock, a naked man was arrested at the Mansion House, London, and sent to the Poultry Compter...
was arrested by security guards in the third quarter.
Guest appearances included comedians Peter Rowsthorn and Russell Gilbert
Russell Gilbert
Russell Gilbert , is an Australian comedian and actor from Footscray, Victoria.-Television:He has appeared in several Australian TV comedies, first attracting notice as 'Russ the Postie' on The Comedy Company , which led to a nine year stint on Hey Hey It's Saturday...
and legendary Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League is an Australian rules football competition, governed by the Victorian Country Football League. The MPNFL contains teams near the south eastern region of Victoria, Australia...
full-forward Simon Goosey.
The shootout at the end only featured 4 kickers per side, unlike the 5 stated by commentators.
2008
2008's game was held on July 1, 2008 at the Telstra Dome. Celebrity players included radioRadio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
comedy duo Hamish & Andy
Hamish & Andy
Hamish & Andy are an Australian comedy duo formed in 2003 by Hamish Blake and Andy Lee. They currently host the radio program The Hamish & Andy Show which airs in Australia on the Today Network....
, with Hamish
Hamish Blake
Hamish Donald Blake is an Australian comedian, actor, author and bodybuilder from Melbourne, Australia. Since 2003, he has worked with Andy Lee as part of the comedy duo Hamish and Andy. The pair have performed live and on television and radio, most notably with their drive-time radio program...
playing for the All Stars and Andy
Andy Lee (comedian)
Andrew Thomas "Andy" Lee is an Australian comedian. He usually works alongside Hamish Blake as part of the comedy duo Hamish & Andy.-Personal background:...
playing for Victoria. Andy managed to score 2 goals, while Hamish scored a spectacular goal, shaving the ball off the outside of his boot to trickle in for a goal. Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Keith Strauchan , better known as "Strauchanie", is a fictional Australian rules football player, portrayed by Peter Helliar, who first appeared during short sketches on Before the Game....
made his second appearance for Victoria and kicked 3 goals. Underbelly
Underbelly (TV series)
Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,...
star Rodger Corser
Rodger Corser
Rodger Corser is an Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen in the Nine Network crime mini-series Underbelly, based on the Melbourne gangland killings, and Senior Seargent Lawson Blake in the Network Ten police drama series Rush.-Early...
made his debut for Victoria.
Chris Connolly
Chris Connolly
Chris Connolly is the current Melbourne Football Club football manager as well as assistant coach.-Playing career:...
coached the Victorian team and Neale Daniher
Neale Daniher
Neale Francis Daniher is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . Neale was also an Assistant Coach to the Essendon and Fremantle Football Clubs and the Coach of the Victorian State Team and the Melbourne Football Club...
coached of the All Stars.
Darryl White
Darryl White
Darryl White is a former Australian rules footballer whose career with the Brisbane Bears and Lions in the Australian Football League lasted from 1992 to 2005....
, the former Brisbane defender, won the best on ground award.
2009
| Victorian Victoria Australian rules football team The Victorian Australian rules football team, also known as the Big V is the representative side of Victoria, Australia in the sport of Australian rules football.... team |
|||
| B: | Paul Dimattina Paul Dimattina Paul Dimattina , the son of former Richmond rover Frank Dimattina, is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.... |
Mick Martyn | Joel Smith Joel Smith Joel Smith is a former Australian rules footballer.Beginning his career in 1995 as a bright young prospect for St Kilda, Smith was touted as the future of the club.... |
| HB: | Ang Christou Ang Christou Ang Christou is a former Australian rules footballer for Carlton in the Australian Football League.-Football career:Christou played for the Carlton Football Club and along with Anthony Koutoufides was a popular figure as a Greek Australian.In 2001, Christou had a solid pre-season, but missed the... |
Glenn Archer Glenn Archer Glenn Archer is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played his entire career with the North Melbourne Football Club.Archer had a reputation as one of the most courageous players ever to play the game... (c Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... ) |
Michael Braun |
| C: | Damien Peverill Damien Peverill Damien Peverill is an Australian rules footballer who played 144 senior games with Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League between 2001 and 2008... |
Chris Johnson | Paul Licuria Paul Licuria Paul Licuria is an Australian rules footballer, formerly in the Australian Football League. His father is Italian and his mother is Spanish.-Sydney Football Club:... |
| HF: | Andrew Thompson Andrew Thompson (footballer) Andrew Charles Thompson is a retired Australian rules footballer for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League.... |
Stewart Loewe Stewart Loewe Stewart Loewe is a former Australian rules football champion of the St Kilda Football Club.Nicknamed "Buckets" for his big hands and the way he was able to mark the ball with ease, Loewe debuted in 1986 for the St Kilda Football Club after being recruited from Mount Eliza... |
Adam Ramanauskas Adam Ramanauskas Adam Ramanauskas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club.Of Lithuanian descent, Ramanauskas was selected at no. 12 in the 1998 AFL Draft and was mainly a defender or midfielder... |
| F: | Austinn Jones Austinn Jones Austinn "Aussie" Jones is a former Australian rules footballer with the St Kilda Football Club.The 176 cm Jones played for the Collingwood reserves in the mid-1990s, but they were afraid to recruit him due to him weighing just 64 kilograms... |
Andy Lee Andy Lee (comedian) Andrew Thomas "Andy" Lee is an Australian comedian. He usually works alongside Hamish Blake as part of the comedy duo Hamish & Andy.-Personal background:... |
Ben Dixon |
| Foll: | John Barnes John Barnes (Australian rules footballer) John Barnes is a retired Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Playing career:Barnes' VFL/AFL career included two State of Origin games for Victoria.-Early career – from Essendon to Geelong:... |
Anthony Koutoufides Anthony Koutoufides Anthony Koutoufides is a former Australian rules footballer with the Carlton Football Club. One of the most powerful and athletic players of all-time, he played in almost every position and was often called the prototype of the modern footballer.Of Greek and Italian descent, Koutoufides has been... |
Tony Liberatore Tony Liberatore Anthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League .... |
| Int: | Damian Monkhorst Damian Monkhorst Damian Monkhorst is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL.'Monkey' came to Collingwood from Woori Yallock and made his debut in 1988. The 202cm, 116kg big man was classed as a no.1 ruckman as soon as he got to Victoria Park, and his early career headed him to become a... |
Wayne Schwass Wayne Schwass Wayne Schwass was an Australian rules football player in the VFL/AFL who debuted in 1988.He is notable as one of only a few New Zealand-born players of Māori heritage in the history of the VFL/AFL.... |
Mark Mercuri Mark Mercuri Mark Mercuri was a professional Australian rules football player for Essendon. He played in the 1993 Grand final winning team which defeated Carlton... |
| Anthony Rock Anthony Rock Anthony Rock is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne and Hawthorn in the VFL/AFL.A midfielder from Hadfield, Rock debuted in the league during the 1988 season, playing with North Melbourne. He stayed with the club until 1999 when he moved to Hawthorn for his final... |
Justin Murphy | Joe Misiti Joe Misiti "Smokin" Joe Misiti is a former Australian rules football player of Italian descent who played for the Essendon Football Club. Originally from Keilor Park, he made his Australian Football League debut in 1992 and retired at the end of the 2004 premiership season with 236 games to his credit... |
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| Mark Graham Mark Graham (footballer) Mark Graham is a former Australian rules football player who played with Hawthorn for over a decade before finishing his career at Richmond. He was a left footed defender and possessed a strong overhead mark. In 2001 he finished second in the Hawk's best and fairest... |
Bryan Strauchan Bryan Strauchan Bryan Keith Strauchan , better known as "Strauchanie", is a fictional Australian rules football player, portrayed by Peter Helliar, who first appeared during short sketches on Before the Game.... |
Vince Colosimo Vince Colosimo Vincenzo Colosimo is an Australian AFI Award winning stage, television and screen actor. He has worked in both Australia and the United States.-Personal life:... |
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| Les Hill | |||
| Coach Coach (sport) In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:... : |
Chris Connolly Chris Connolly Chris Connolly is the current Melbourne Football Club football manager as well as assistant coach.-Playing career:... (Assistant coach: Andrew Bews Andrew Bews Andrew Bews is a former Australian rules footballer who played 282 VFL/AFL games during the 1980s and 90s.Debuting in 1981 after being recruited from North Geelong, Bews played over 200 games for Geelong. A tagger, he earned All Australian selection in 1987.Bews moved to Brisbane in 1994 to play... ) |
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| Runners: | Joshua Gibson Joshua Gibson (footballer) Joshua "Josh" Gibson is an Australian rules footballer for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League.Gibson is known for his tough play as a back-pocket defender. He was instantly recognisable because of his afro hairstyle before he cut it. Josh has direct links to Barbados,... , Dr. Peter Larkins Peter Larkins Dr. Peter Larkins is an Australian doctor and media personality, as well as a former athlete.-Early life and athletics career:... |
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| Team manager: |
Noel Moore | ||
| The All Stars team | |||
| B: | Martin Pike Martin Pike Martin Pike is a former Australian Football League player who played with four clubs during 13 seasons... |
Mal Michael Mal Michael Malcolm Roberto "Mal" Michael is a former Australian rules footballer. He is notable for his successful professional Australian Football League career. Following a career spanned 238 games and three clubs in two Australian states he is best known as a triple premiership full-back with the... |
Paul Barnard Paul Barnard Paul Barnard is a former Australian rules footballer who played from 1994 until 2003.Originally from East Perth, where he played 29 games from 1992–93, Barnard's first two seasons of AFL were spent with Hawthorn. After managing only 11 games he came to Essendon as part of a trade with Paul Salmon... |
| HB: | Craig McRae Craig McRae Craig McRae is a former Australian rules footballer.Originally from South Australian National Football League club Glenelg, McRae was drafted by AFL club Brisbane as the 22nd pick in the 1994 draft and had an immediate impact, kicking two goals in his first game in 1995, and played every game of... |
Shane Wakelin Shane Wakelin Shane Wakelin is a former Australian rules footballer for St Kilda and Collingwood in the Australian Football League.-AFL career:... |
Michael McLean Michael McLean (footballer) Michael "Magic" McLean is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played with both Footscray and Brisbane in the VFL/AFL.- Early life :... |
| C: | Peter Matera | Sam Gibson Sam Gibson Samuel Braxton Gibson was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played five seasons with the Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees and New York Giants .... (c Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... ) |
Mark Ricciuto Mark Ricciuto Mark Anthony Ricciuto is a former Australian rules football player, who played for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League... |
| HF: | Richie Vandenberg Richie Vandenberg Richard "Richie" Vandenberg was an Australian Rules Footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League. He was the captain of the Hawks for the final three years of his career 2005 -2007.... |
Nick Holland Nick Holland Nick Holland is a former Australian rules football player. He played 179 games for the Hawthorn Football Club between 1994 and 2005, serving as Vice Captain between 1999 and 2003. He is a previous winner of the AFL Rising Star, Hawthorn's Best & Fairest award, Hawthorn's leading goal kicker in... |
Ronnie Burns Ronnie Burns (footballer) Ronnie Paul Burns is a former indigenous Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club and Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League .... |
| F: | Phil Matera Phillip Matera Phillip "Phil" Matera is a former Australian rules footballer of Italian-Aboriginal heritage.-Career:Beginning his career in 1996, the 171 cm forward pocket was one of the Australian Football League's best small forwards.... |
Tony Modra Tony Modra Anthony 'Tony' Dale Modra is a former Australian rules football player, known for his spectacular marks. He played for the Adelaide Football Club and Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League, mainly at full forward. Modra had the physical strength and size to match the best... |
Troy Luff Troy Luff Troy Luff is a former Australian rules footballer for the Sydney Swans of the Australian Football League.-Football career:Troy Luff grew up in the town of Traralgon, Victoria where he lived until high school age... |
| Foll: | Ben Holland Ben Holland Ben Holland is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.A South Australian, Holland was drafted in 1994 to the Fitzroy Football Club, but chose to stay and develop in the SANFL with his local club Nth Adelaide for a year... |
Darryl White Darryl White Darryl White is a former Australian rules footballer whose career with the Brisbane Bears and Lions in the Australian Football League lasted from 1992 to 2005.... |
Brodie Holland Brodie Holland Brodie Holland is a former professional Australian rules footballer best known for his playing days at the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League.... |
| Int: | Richard Champion Richard Champion Richard Champion was a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.... |
Damien Oliver | Hamish Blake Hamish Blake Hamish Donald Blake is an Australian comedian, actor, author and bodybuilder from Melbourne, Australia. Since 2003, he has worked with Andy Lee as part of the comedy duo Hamish and Andy. The pair have performed live and on television and radio, most notably with their drive-time radio program... |
| Paul Hudson Paul Hudson (Australian rules footballer) Paul Hudson is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond.-Playing career:... |
Marcus Seecamp Marcus Seecamp Marcus Seecamp is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and Melbourne in the Australian Football League during the 1990s.... |
Dale Kickett Dale Kickett Dale Mathew Kickett is a former Australian rules footballer. He is one of only three players, and the only living person to have played for five clubs in the Australian Football League.-Early career:... |
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| Shaun Smith | Scott Cummings Scott Cummings Scott Cummings is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon, Port Adelaide, the West Coast Eagles and Collingwood in the Australian Football League.... |
Blair McDonough Blair McDonough Blair McDonough is an actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera Neighbours. He first shot to fame in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the inaugural season of the reality TV series Big Brother Australia... |
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| Adrian Raftery | |||
| Coach Coach (sport) In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:... : |
Neil Balme Neil Balme Neil Allen Balme is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1979 for the Richmond Football Club.-Playing career:... (Assistant coaches: Terry Daniher Terry Daniher Terrence "Terry" John Daniher is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the South Melbourne and Essendon Football Clubs in the Australian Football League . Terry was also an Assistant Coach to the Essendon, Collingwood, St Kilda and Carlton Football Clubs. Terry's brothers, Neale,... , Mark Kleiman) |
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| Runners: | Nathan Brown, Russell Gilbert Russell Gilbert Russell Gilbert , is an Australian comedian and actor from Footscray, Victoria.-Television:He has appeared in several Australian TV comedies, first attracting notice as 'Russ the Postie' on The Comedy Company , which led to a nine year stint on Hey Hey It's Saturday... |
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| Team manager: |
Russell Masterton | ||
2010
Man of the match was Sam NewmanSam Newman
John Noel William "Sam" Newman is a retired Australian rules football player and current television personality. He is a featured presenter on the AFL version of The Footy Show.-VFL career:...
, who kicked four goals despite playing only for a quarter of the playing time. Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Keith Strauchan , better known as "Strauchanie", is a fictional Australian rules football player, portrayed by Peter Helliar, who first appeared during short sketches on Before the Game....
, Damian Monkhorst
Damian Monkhorst
Damian Monkhorst is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL.'Monkey' came to Collingwood from Woori Yallock and made his debut in 1988. The 202cm, 116kg big man was classed as a no.1 ruckman as soon as he got to Victoria Park, and his early career headed him to become a...
, Tony Modra
Tony Modra
Anthony 'Tony' Dale Modra is a former Australian rules football player, known for his spectacular marks. He played for the Adelaide Football Club and Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League, mainly at full forward. Modra had the physical strength and size to match the best...
and jockey Craig Newitt also scored well. During the last quarter it was picked up on television Nathan Brown (a runner for the Victorian team) exchanging words to Nathan Thompson and stated that it was a "A legends game mate. You shouldn't be playing" however, nothing became of the exchange.
2011
The game ended in controversy after Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald kicked a goal on the siren. However, Garry LyonGarry Lyon
Garry Peter Lyon is a former professional Australian rules football player and was captain of the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League. Since his retirement from football, he has been mainly an Australian rules football media personality, featuring on television, radio and in...
, the judge of the final score, deemed that the goal had been kicked after the siren had blown, and therefore was discounted. This decision was made in direct contradiction to the laws of the AFL, which state that the time from which a goal can be within match time is from the drop of the ball from the hands. Lyon said "It went through the goals after the siren", which was irrelevant. There was also much controversy about an All Stars mark directly in the goal-square that was not awarded by the umpire. After original thoughts that the All Stars had won, there was then a claim that there would be a shoot out, before finally it was announced that Victoria had won the match. The All-stars' Brodie Holland
Brodie Holland
Brodie Holland is a former professional Australian rules footballer best known for his playing days at the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League....
, formerly of Fremantle and Collingwood, had won Man of the Match.
In the final minutes of the match, Victorian runner Shane Crawford
Shane Crawford
Shane Barry Crawford is a former Australian rules footballer, having played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League...
was "substituted" on to the ground, and coach Sam Newman put 24 players on the ground, instead of the legal 18. It is speculated that the All Stars had as many as 22 players on the ground, although there was no coverage of their interchange bench, so this was not confirmed.
Victorian Team
Coach: Sam "Fossil" Newman
1. Damian "Monkey" Monkhorst
2. Chris Johnson
2. Wayne Schwass
3. Nathan Burke
4. Michael Martyn
5. Rohan Smith
6. John Barnes
7. Nathan Brown
8. Lance Whitnall
9. Jess Sinclair
9. Michael "Wippa" Wipfli
9. Craig "Hutchy" Hutchison
11. Nick Sautner
11. Joel Smith
19. Ben Dixon
21. Heath Black
23. Dean Rice
23. Anthony Rocca
24. Nick Stevens
28. Paul Dimattina
31. David Mensch
35. Simon "Presti" Prestigiacomo
37. Angelo Lekkas
39. Ang Christou
39. Tony "Liba" Liberatore
43. Anthony "Kouta" Koutoufides (Captain)
44. Nigel Lappin
59. Bryan "Strachanie" Strauchan
All Stars Team
Coach: Neil Balme
1. Richard Champion
2. Nick Davis
2. Nick Holland
4. Craig McRae
6. Brodie Holland
8. Nathan Bassett
8. Ronnie Burns
9. Tyson Edwards
10. Nick Daffy
11. Des Headland
12. Jason "Aker" Akermanis
13. Martin Pike
15. Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald
15. Mal Michael
16. Paul Barnard
16. Warren Tredrea
18. Wayne "The Duck" Carey (Captain)
19. Michael O'Loughlin
21. Richie Vandenberg
24. Russell Robertson
28. Jared Crouch
29. Shaun Smith
33. Paul Hudson
33. Phil Matera
34. Troy Luff
36. Simon Goodwin