A galaxy of AFL greats have come together for the EJ Whitten Legends game in September
THE greatest sides in the 20-year history of the EJ Whitten Legends game have been assembled in the name of prostate cancer research. SEE THE TEAMS
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THE greatest sides in the 20-year history of the EJ Whitten Legends game have been assembled in the name of prostate cancer research.
The relaunched game has drawn an elite group of recently-retired players boasting 36 premiership players, 11 Hall of Famers and 27 All-Australians.
SEE THE FULL SQUADS BELOW AND VOTE ON WHO WILL WIN
The September 2 game at Etihad Stadium has been supported by Seven and Fox and their stable of ex-footballers, boosting the calibre of a format that was beginning to tire.
The Victorian team coached by Tim Watson includes Cameron Ling, Jonathan Brown, Jude Bolton, Barry Hall, Anthony Koutoufides, Scott West, Brent Guerra and Brad Sewell.
The All-Stars side is full of stars including Wayne Carey, Andrew McLeod, Cam Mooney, Matthew Richardson, Andrew Embley, Luke McPharlin, Kane Cornes and Jason Akermanis.
Star female footballer Abbey Holmes will also play in an All-Stars guernsey along with Tadhg Kennelly, Peter Matera, Scott Cummings, Tony Modra and Aaron Davey.
The game has pledged to raise far more money than in previous years for prostate cancer research, with AFL charity Ladder also a recipient.
The contest could be a litmus test for the AFL’s Good Friday clash next year, with pledges for charity to be made throughout the event.
EJ Whitten Foundation boss Ted Whitten Jnr has pledged unprecedented transparency for the clash after revelations just six cents in the dollar went to cancer research.
Last year Baker Smith Management took a $220,000 management fee for organising the game, with that company no longer connected with the game.
Kane Cornes retired in Round 8 last year to become a firefighter — which he has since given up for a full-time media role.
“It was Round 8 last year and I have not touched a football or picked up a weight in the gym so I am rather skinny, I am training for a marathon,’’ he said.
“I have got the Adelaide marathon coming up and then the New York marathon but I don’t know how I will go if I have to lay a big tackle.
“I always wanted to run a sub-three hour marathon and mum was a good runner so as soon I retired I started training for it and got a gig for the New York marathon and will be raising funds for the Little Heroes Foundation.”
Cornes said the EJ Whitten Foundation’s prostate cancer charity was another reason to take part.
“Dad coached State-of-Origin against the Big V and Teddy Whitten and for Chad and I it was our favourite game to watch,’’ he said.
“Richo is our captain and I got to play with him in the Dream Team game in 2008 against the Vics, and he’s one of the best blokes in footy.
“It will be nice to have Wayne Carey on the end of a few of your kicks. We won’t take it too seriously but I am sure the competitive juices will be flowing.”
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