Cyril Rioli and Gary Ablett Jnr stepping out of retirement for Legends Game, live and free on Seven and 7plus
After a six-year hiatus, the iconic event is returning to the AFL calendar on Thursday, August 28, at Marvel Stadium, and will be live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
According to Seven, the event will be 'bigger, bolder and more legendary than ever', and showcase past AFL greats and fan favourites.
Some of the biggest names in the history of the game have committed to the game, with Rioli and Geelong legend Gary Ablett Jnr locked in.
For Rioli to be involved will certainly bring a smile to fans of football everywhere across the country.
The superstar and Norm Smith medal winner is somewhat of an AFL recluse after his bitter falling out with Hawthorn following his shock retirement in 2018.
Leading Victoria as captain is 7AFL expert commentator and Rioli's former Hawks teammate, Luke Hodge.
Rioli, however, will be squaring off against his old freind and former captain, as he is set to line up for the All Stars.
There were heartwarming scenes earlier this year during the clash between Hawthorn and Gold Coast in Darwin, when Rioli was spotted at the Sir Doug Nicholls Round game, and Hodge was caught on camera deep in conversation with his mate.
While Rioli did not attend Hawthorn's 10-year anniversary of the club's famous threepeat (in which he played in all three grand finals) in June this year, the Legends Game marks a big step in his thawing relationship with the game.
Rioli will play alongside 7AFL expert commentator and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, who is captain of the All Stars.
Hawthorn icon and Seven's House of Wellness co-host Shane Crawford is set to coach the All Stars, while AFL great and former 7NEWS Melbourne sport presenter, Tim Watson, will also be involved, taking the reins as coach of the Big V.
At a media launch event held in Melbourne on Tuesday, both team captains and coaches revealed their superstar No.1 draft picks for the match – with Ablett Jnr for the Vics and Rioli for the All Stars.
The much-anticipated State of Origin clash carries the legacy of football legend E.J Whitten, who passed away from prostate cancer 30 years ago.
The fan-focussed feature event aims to raise much needed awareness and funds for prostate cancer through the Australian Prostate Centre, a world-class prostate cancer hub that brings together the best in care, treatments and collaborative research for Australian men and their families.
Seven Network head of AFL and sport Innovation, Gary O'Keeffe, said the return of the Legends Game will be a highlight on the AFL calendar, and offers ample entertainment for viewers.
'We are thrilled to see this iconic event return and for footy fans to be able to watch all the action live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport,' he said.
'To see a host of popular personalities, and AFL legends including our own Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt come out of retirement for such a great cause is important and will make for exciting viewing.'
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Aussie men, with one in five estimated to be diagnosed in their lifetime.
Funds raised through match will help support patient care and vital research collaborations at the Australian Prostate Centre.
SEN chief executive officer, Craig Hutchison, said his organisation was proud to play a part in supporting such an important cause and iconic match.
'We're incredibly proud to partner with the Australian Prostate Centre to bring back one of the most cherished nights on the footy calendar,' Hutchison said.
'With the support of the AFL, the Seven Network and our production team at Rainmaker, we're set to deliver a spectacular event that entertains and inspires.
'And there's some amazing further player announcements to come in coming weeks,' he said.
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