Gavin Wanganeen set to become father of five

ONCE arch rivals on the field, footy legendsGavin Wanganeen andMark Ricciuto are still competing — but now, the game is growing seriously big.

Gavin Wanganeen and family

ONCE arch rivals on the field, footy legendsGavin Wanganeen and Mark Ricciuto are still competing — but now the game is about who can produce the most children.

Port Adelaide premiership star Wanganeen is set to notch up another offspring, joining Crows champ Ricciuto as a father-of-five, with his wife, Pippa, due to give birth to their third child next year.

Wanganeen has two other children, Mia and Texfrom his previous marriage.

“We’re pleasantly surprised ... though it was reasonably planned. I’m just trying to beat Roo,” he laughs.

“We’re really excited, Pippa and I, having little ones around the place are great.”

Their new addition will be their third child under the age of three, joiningLulu Allegra, nine months, andKitty Emerald, aged almost two.

Both Ricciuto and Wanganeen will take to the stage as guest speakers at The Advertiser Foundation and Channel 7 Grand Final Luncheon at the Adelaide Oval on September 30.

Mark and Sarah Ricciuto with newborn son Rocco and their other children Rosie, Sophie, Joe and Nick. .

As a two-time premiership player with Essendon in 1993 and Port Adelaide in 2004, Wanganeen is more than qualified to talk about the year’s biggest AFL match.

“It’s always an exciting week and it always brings back very fond memories,” he said.

“My fondest memory is of Choco (former Power coach Mark Williams) walking down from his coaching box in 2004 and the tears that were coming out of his eyes ... that was very, very memorable.”

Hosted by Seven’s Mark Soderstrom, the event will also feature dual Norm Smith Medallist and Crows champ Andrew McLeod, Swans premiership playerJude Bolton and a panel including The Advertiser chief football writer Michelangelo Rucci and inaugural Crows coach Graham Cornes.

Sponsors include Channel 7, Qantas, Coopers Brewery, Lexus of Adelaide, 1882 Wines by Justin McCarthy, Adelaide Oval Functions and Events, SLN Event Supplier, Hilton Adelaide, Holidays of Australia, Mount Franklin-Coca Cola Amatil, Keito Events and Stallard & Potter. For tickets to the event, call 8206 2344 or email [e-mail]