Time On: Gary Ablett Jr and Cyril Rioli return to Marvel Stadium for Legends Game

Some of the biggest names in footy will return to the field for the revival of the Legends Game — taking place for the first time since 2019.

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

Stars return for the Legends game revival

Two of the biggest names in footy are returning to the field for the Legends Game for Prostate Cancer.

Gary Ablett Jr and Cyril Rioli are playing in the reincarnation of the EJ Whitten Legends Game, taking place for the first time since 2019.

Ablett Jr is the top pick for the Victorian side coached by Tim Watson and captained by Luke Hodge.

Rioli is in the All Stars team coached by Shane Crawford and captained by Nick Riewoldt.

The match will be at Marvel Stadium on August 28 — 30 years since the passing of footy great Ted Whitten from prostate cancer.

Tim Watson, Luke Hodge, Nick Riewoldt Shane Crawford officially announced the return of the EJ Whitten Legends match at SEN studios. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s huge to have him involved,’’ Crawford said of Rioli.

“I think everyone tried their best, it’s amazing what footy does. It brings people together.

“I am surprised as anyone and excited. Everyone gets to see him play again. You didn’t just have to barrack for Hawthorn to appreciate what type of player he was — and I get to coach him.”

Crawford joked he’d enlist Kane Cornes to tag Ablett but instead “wants to have fun”.

Hodge said Ablett was a no-brainer.

“He’s looking as fit as his playing days,’’ Hodge said.

“I played with this bloke in primary school and if we have him on our side we will have to do less so the two-time Brownlow Medallist will be our no. 1 pick.”

Hodge, who tore a hamstring 10 weeks ago, said he’d be ready to go.

“The game plan will be ‘just give it to Gaz’,’’ he said.

Tickets for the 2025 Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer will go on sale to AFL and Club members at 9am July 17 via Ticketmaster with general public sales on July 18 at 10am. legendsgame.com.au

‘Feud’s back on’: Cornes fury about being left on read

Kane Cornes says the “feud’s back on” if his friend turned rival Damian Barrett doesn’t reply to his message.

The pair who are embroiled in a beef triangle surrounding Tony Jones and the coverage of his omission from Channel 9’s Wimbledon team, have traded barbs publicly but it seems privately there’s still a stand-off.

Cornes said he’d be willing to lay guns down, but then he revealed he’s been left on read after their latest exchange.

The pair were former colleagues on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show before Cornes defected to Channel 7.

“I actually sent him a message, to just let you in, because we have been going back and forth,’’ Cornes said on SEN breakfast alongside Tom Morris filling in for David King.

“I don’t want to get him upset again, but I feel like he took it hard when I left, and he has been quite keen to highlight that throughout the year. And then I’ve given back as good as I’ve got, clearly, as I always would. But he’s been good to me over the years, Damo, and I’m willing to lay the guns down for a little bit.

Cornes says the “feud's back on” if former friend Damian Barrett doesn’t reply to his message. Picture: Michael Klein

“Well, he didn’t write back. So he’s left me on read and hasn’t written back, so he can get stuffed, and it’s back on until … This is a warning, Damo. If you do not text me back, it’s back on. The feud’s back on, and you know that I’ll win. You know that I’ll win.”

Cornes did add that he’s “just mucking around” but there seemed to be some spite in the early stages at least.

Barrett, who labelled Cornes a smart a** for saying the Sunday Footy Show had taken short steps when it came to Jones, also claimed that Cornes is missing working with people who actually like him and support him.

Morris was keen to stir the pot, saying it sounds like Barrett has a vendetta against Cornes.

Rattled Richo

Picture: Dylan Burns

Matthew Richardson has been in the commentary game for more than a decade but he’s still mystified by the feedback.

At the weekend he took to X to divulge the mixed messages he’d received from viewers and listeners.

Really interesting what footy fans HEAR. This morning I've had a Pies fan say I was biased towards Suns. I have also been DM'd on Insta today saying I was Victorian biased last night. Which is also interesting as I'm from Tasmania. So I'm not sure what it is 🤷🏼 . Passionate game!

— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) July 12, 2025

Sometimes you just can’t win.

‘Misplaced joke’: Matthews weighs in on Voss

Former Brisbane Lions premiership coach Leigh Matthews has weighed in on the threat to Voss saying it was “misplaced humour”. Picture: David Caird

Leigh Matthews has given his opinion on the threats directed to Carlton coach Michael Voss.

The footy legend said he thought the punishment was too severe, given what was actually in the text.

“This was only a misplaced joke. There are a lot of bad things being said online and on social media and they’re tracking people down now and maybe it was one of those sacrificial lamb things. ‘We’ll give you five years as a principle’.

“But I thought it was just misplaced humour. It was nowhere near a threat to Michael Voss, yet the word ‘murder’ was in the sentence, so that was the mistake.”

Voss attended Thursday night’s game with extra security.

The AFL and the MCG have barred the man, a Collingwood member, from attending games for five years and the Magpies have torn up his club membership.

Newest little Collingwood member

Tim and Emily Membrey with their newborn Ted. Picture: Instagram

Collingwood star forward Tim Membrey has expanded his brood with the arrival of a son, Ted William Membrey.

Membrey and wife Emily also have two daughters, Wren and Beau.

“Welcome to the party baby boy!” the couple posted to social media.

“We are beyond blessed with your arrival and so in love.”

The couple posted adorable pictures of the family with Ted – which is no surprise given Emily is an accomplished photographer.

Kouta’s 4am kick-to-kick

Carlton legend Anthony ‘Kouta’ Koutoufides will return to the MCG — for a 4am kick-to-kick session designed to show off Melbourne’s late night delights.

Koutoufides, who played in the Blues’ 1995 flag-winning team, and AFLW star Darcy Vescio, will co-host interstate visitors on the hallowed ground in the wee hours of August 8.

The 4am kick session is part of The Last Flight Club, a Visit Victoria and Virgin Australia initiative aiming to spruik Melbourne’s after hours culture.

“I think I might be sleepwalking at 4am as I’m kicking that ball,” Kouta told Confidential. “I’ve never been out at the MCG at four in the morning having a kick of the footy. That’s a new experience for me.”

He added, laughing: “I’ll probably sleep in. I’ll have to fire myself up, take a few speccies, and try a few tackles.”

Former Carlton footballer and AFL great Anthony Koutoufides will play kick to kick at the MCG with interstate visitors. Picture: Ian Currie

The tourism initiative involves Sydney visitors catching the last flight to Melbourne, enjoying a DJ set, private tour of an exhibition at Melbourne Museum, wining and dining at a Spring St restaurant, kicks with Kouta, then first flight home.

“We’re showcasing Melbourne as a late night destination. You can come here, and there will be something for you to do all night long,” Kouta said

Visit Victoria boss Brendan McClements added: “While other cities wind down, we’re just getting started, with a mix of culture, sport and hospitality that’s unmatched.”

Meanwhile, Kouta said his beloved Blues, wallowing at 12th on the ladder, should give embattled coach, Michael Voss, another shot to helm the club.

“Vossy, for what he’s done, deserves at least another year,” Kouta said. “If you tweak one or two things, and the team gels, you’re capable of winning anything.”

Originally published as Time On: Gary Ablett Jr and Cyril Rioli return to Marvel Stadium for Legends Game