AFL legends relive days of glory in Hobart charity football match pitting Victoria against Tasmania

SPEED was a distant memory for former AFL stars at North Hobart Oval yesterday, but the odd flash of brilliance was a reminder of their glory days.

AFL: Relive the Rivalry Charity Match, Tasmania vs. Victoria, North Hobart Oval: Victoria's Brendan Fevola takes a screamer

SPEED was only a distant memory for the cavalcade of former AFL stars at North Hobart Oval yesterday, but the occasional flash of brilliance was a reminder of their glory days.

Some of the biggest names ever to kick a Sherrin gathered in Hobart for the Relive the Rivalry footy match for charity — Tasmania’s version of the EJ Whitten match.

A crowd of 3982 witnessed a thriller as the Tasmanians won 18.11 (119) to 17.15 (117) and relived the state’s historic State-of-Origin win over the Big V on the same ground in 1990.

Victoria's Tony Liberatore is dwarfed by Tasmanian ruckman Peter Street.

Bulldogs legend and Brownlow medallist Tony Liberatore played in that game and finished yesterday with a much warmer feeling despite the loss, after the lead changed eight times in the final term.

“That was a lot of fun,” Libber said.

Two-times Essendon premiership skipper, three-times All-Australian, and AFL Hall of Famer Terry Danhier was a crowd favourite.

“It came right down to the wire. It could have gone either way,” Daniher said.

“Ben Beams, Brodie Holland and Robbo [Russell Robertson] stemmed the tide for Tassie toward the end and I suppose Fev [Brendan Fevola] had his chances to win for us.

“It was a great day. I hope the crown enjoyed it. I had a good time, it was a good roll up and it all went well.”

Fevola used every tool in his box of tricks to get eight goals, while Michael O’Loughlin was a cut above in the midfield and Shaun Smith and Ang Christou were good down back.

For Tassie, Simon Taylor and Peter Street played huge games in the ruck, Robbo kicked five, the skills of Adrian Fletcher were sublime, and little local Nathan Ross was a standout.

The crowd included 18 Dermott Brereton impersonators — all players from Yeronga in Queensland — and one of them even jumped the fence and joined in the match for a while in the second term.

The match was organised by Jaimes Wiggins and Mickey Peters to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania, a fact not lost on the players.

“I’ve been involved with the EJ as well pretty much since I retired so it’s been great to see what they’ve created down here,” said Tasmanian captain Paul Hudson.

“It’s good to see everyone come out and support such a worthy cause.”

It was the third Relive the Rivalry match — all won by Tasmania — and Wiggins said this one was the best.

“To see the calibre of players who have played AFL/VFL come down and play for charity is a credit to every one of them, and for the local footballers to play with some of their heroes, there’s nothing better.

“The crowd today is the biggest we’ve had, they were vocal, and it’s wonderful to see lots of kids here kicking to football and getting photos with their heroes.”