Time On: North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben and Liv Taylor make their relationship Instagram official

Kangaroos player Charlie Comben initially insisted he didn’t have to validate his relationship in the eyes of others before he and his girlfriend ended up making the “hardest of hard launches” on Instagram.

Charlie Comben and Liv Taylor. Picture: Instagram (posted by Liv Taylor)

Time On is your wrap up of all the footy gossip and banter.

North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben has hard launched his relationship, revealing his glamorous partner publicly for the first time.

The wins keep coming for the reliable defender, who helped his team to a breakthrough win on Saturday at the MCG.

On his 200 Plus podcast, he’d been grilled over not yet posting Liv Taylor to social media and going “Insta-official”.

“I’ve found myself a lovely girlfriend … I don’t have to validate my relationship in the eyes of other people,” Comben said.

But the pressure mounted, with a spot on Nova’s Jase and Lauren ending up with Taylor, who was in the car, brought into the studio.

“I’m gonna get around to it (posting her),” the star insisted.

Taylor, the sister of former Roos player Curtis Taylor, said: “I think this is the  hardest of hard launches there is.”

Fev to star on silver screen

Footy favourite Brendan Fevola is adding movie star to his resume.

The goalkicker who played 204 games for Carlton and Brisbane and then turned breakfast radio host on FOX FM, has just been added to the cast of new Aussie flick Yesterday’s Hero.

He will film his first scenes on Tuesday alongside fellow former high-flyer Warwick Capper.

Their filming will take place at Lalor Football Club.

It comes just a week after he pulled on the boots again and, along with pop star Guy Sebastian, inspired struggling local team Masala Dandenong Football Club Thirds to a stunning victory — its first in 20 games.

Guy Sebastian and Brendan Fevola Play Footy for the struggling VAFA side Masala Thirds. Picture: David Crosling

Fevola joins the cast including Chris Franklin, Krista Vendy, Fiona O’Loughlin and US actor Cory Feldman.

The film is being produced by Cameron Miller in honour of his late son Shaun Miller, after whom he started the Shaun Miller Foundation, which assists people affected by congenital heart disease.

Hird’s call for help

James Hird made a passionate plea on Sunday for the AFL to do more to support players after they retire.

“The support past players get after they retire … when they get to 40 or when they get to 50, I just don’t think is there,’’ Hird said on Footy Furnace.

“A lot of players get through their careers, they get out and they’re fine. But there are a lot that aren’t. I really believe that more needs to be done by the AFL, the AFLPA, the clubs, to help players who haven’t quite filled the void that AFL football had for them.”

Hird, who has himself battled mental health issues, said he isn’t criticising the AFLPA, he just wants to see more being done.

“This is not a criticism of the AFLPA because I do genuinely believe they do a great job across a lot of different parts and having been a benefit of that myself,’’ he continued.

“But more needs to be done. More and more players who had full time careers, who didn’t have anything else in their life. Any trade, any education, have got to a point in their life where self worth, identity, is not there. And I just think more needs to be done. Because a lot of these players have done great things for the game and they need some help.”

Tribute for who?

The sad news about Adam Selwood’s passing has led to an outpouring of grief.

And it’s also led to some mistakes with Adam’s late twin brother Troy mentioned in his place.

Social media erupted over the tribute given by local Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO at the start of Saturday night’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.

Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO at Saturday’s match. Picture: Supplied

She paid her respects to the Selwood family amid the tragedy during her Welcome to Country at Marvel Stadium as part of Sir Doug Nicholls round.

However, she mentioned the death of Troy Selwood, mistaking him for his twin brother.

On Channel 9 news on Sunday night the intro delivered by Peter Hitchener showed “Tribute to Troy” despite the background showing the footy tribute in Perth that read “vale Adam Selwood.”

Channel 9's news opener on Sunday night mentioned Adam’s late brother Troy in the caption. Picture: 9News

Bennetts binocular bungle

Commentator Jason Bennett did something he’s never done in 25 years — he forgot his binoculars.

Calling alongside Brian Taylor for Seven’s coverage of Brisbane v Melbourne on Sunday, he had to improvise with help from a colleague.

“For 1st in 25yrs, I forgot my binoculars,’’ Bennett wrote on X.

Jason Bennett's replacement binoculars on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“Fortunately our floor manager Alex went & borrowed his father-in-law’s. Unfortunately this classic pair no longer works as it should, so I covered one lens & called with one eye shut! Pro tip: Don’t forget your binoculars.”

Many followers were quick to point out the obvious: There are “plenty of one eyed commentators out there”

Originally published as Time On: North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben and Liv Taylor make their relationship Instagram official