AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides loses to Nick Reece in Melbourne lord mayor race

An AFL legend who played nearly 300 games with Carlton has just failed in his bid to be Lord Mayor of one of Australia’s biggest cities.

Nick Reece has been elected Melbourne lord mayor over Anthony Koutoufides. Picture: Instagram

AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides has lost the Melbourne lord mayor election race to Nick Reece.

The 51-year-old had pledged to push workers back into the office if elected Lord Mayor at council elections held nearly a fortnight ago.

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“We will work with the state government to introduce new laws that government and corporate workers must work at least four days a week in their office to enliven the city,” Mr Koutoufides said.

However his plans were short-lived, with Mr Reece reportedly winning the race with 61.5 per cent of the vote, according to the Herald Sun.

Mr Reece was already sworn in as Melbourne’s 105th Lord Mayor in June following the resignation of Sally Capp.

Mr Reece hugged his running mate Roshena Campbell following the win at Drill Hall on Victoria St on Thursday afternoon.

Lord mayor Nick Reece and Anthony Koutoufides attended a Carlton game at the MCG. Picture: Instagram

New Lord Mayor Nick Reece and deputy Roshena Campbell were told the results on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

The Victorian Electoral Commission conducted a computer count on Thursday afternoon to deliver the results, with 87,852 ballots counted.

Mr Reece has already promised a range of changes, including freezing rates for a year, a rent freeze for Queen Victoria Market traders, and a $13.65bn plan to bring in 200 safety cameras across Melbourne, according to The Age.

He’s also pledged to keep in place the e-scooter ban which he brought in earlier in the year, extend the free tram zone and sell the Regent Theatre.

Mr Reece and Ms Campbell hugged following the win. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

The Victorian Electoral Commission conducted a computer count on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Kevin Louey and Mark Scott from Mr Reece’s team, former federal Liberal MP Gladys Liu from Mr Koutoufides’ team, Liberal Owen Guest, Olivia Ball from the Greens, Labor’s Davydd Griffiths, Raf Camillo from Gary Morgan’s team, Andrew Rowse from the Innovate Melbourne team, and Philip Le Liu from Team Wood were voted in as the nine councillors, according to the Herald Sun.

Mr Koutoufides played 278 games with Carlton Football Club from 1992 but was forced to announce his retirement in 2007 following a degenerative hip injury.

He earlier thanked all those who supported him during the campaign in a post to Instagram.

“I was overwhelmed by the experience whether I get in or not, that doesn’t really matter, just to know that people were out there,” Mr Koutoufides said in a video.

Mr Reece earlier pledged to keep the e-scooter ban. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

“The support that I got throughout that time has just really been mind blowing, so I just personally wanted to say thank you.”

Mr Reece issued a similar post to Instagram, writing he is “endlessly grateful for the opportunity to serve this city I love”.

“I hope I’ve given the people of Melbourne enough reasons to choose me to be their Mayor, and for Team Reece to represent them,” he wrote.
“But whatever the result — I know we gave it everything.”