Latest news with #LegendsGame
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Why Indigenous AFL star Cyril Rioli - who became a recluse from the game over racism scandal - is making a stunning return to the field
Former Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli is preparing to make a stunning return to football by lacing up his footy boots for the upcoming rebooted Legends Game. The iconic exhibition match is returning for the first time in six years and will be played on August 28 at Marvel Stadium. It's been 10 years since the Indigenous star claimed the 2015 Norm Smith Medal after an electrifying performance in Hawthorn's premiership triumph over West Coast. The 36-year-old fan favourite retired in 2018 and has distanced himself from the game, including not showing up to Hawthorn's celebration of their premiership three-peat earlier this year. Rioli's relationship with the Hawks soured over racism allegations during his years with the club - in a case that was settled in Federal Court last November. The former half forward was the lead applicant in a statement of claim alongside his wife Shannyn, former players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, his partner Montanah-Rae Lewis and Hawthorn's former Indigenous liaison officer Leon Egan. It was a saga which lasted more than two years after it first surfaced publicly in September of 2022. Racism allegations were aimed against the Hawks, former coach Alastair Clarkson, his former assistant Chris Fagan and ex-welfare manager Jason Burt. The trio were later cleared by the AFL of any alleged wrongdoing following an investigation. The statement of claim included allegations of unlawful discrimination, including family separations and pressuring a pregnancy termination. Rioli claimed that he was regularly subjected to comments that were 'culturally ignorant' during his time at the Hawks from 2008 to 2018. It was reported the players and their families involved in the court proceedings were paid an undisclosed sum following the settlement agreement. Rioli, who lives in Darwin, was recently announced as an assistant coach of Top End footy club the Jabiru Bombers - a team he played for last season and won a premiership with. The footy star's return for Legends Game marks a huge step in repairing his relationship with the game, and will see him play alongside other greats including Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge and Gary Ablett Jr. '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,' said Seven's head of AFL and sport innovation Gary O'Keefe. '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.'
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Legends Game: Cyril Rioli & Gary Ablett Jr to headline return of exhibition match featuring former AFL greats
A decade on from his crowning achievement as a footballer, Cyril Rioli will step out of retirement for one night only in a much-anticipated return to the sport to headline the return of the AFL's Legends Game. The exhibition match will return for the first time since 2019 on August 28 at Marvel Stadium, with Rioli locked in to pull on the boots alongside the likes of Gary Ablett Jr, Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge. The Thursday night clash between the AFL's home-and-away conclusion and the start of the finals series comes 10 years on from the high point of Rioli's career, where he snared the 2015 Norm Smith Medal after putting on a clinic in the grand final win over West Coast to cap Hawthorn's third-straight premiership triumph. Rioli played the last of his 189 games in early 2018 and has had a limited association with the game at the top level amid the Hawks' racism saga, with the four-time premiership star absent from the club's celebration of last decade's flag 'three-peat' earlier this year. Seven will broadcast the exhibition clash, with network personalities and footy greats Tim Watson and Shane Crawford to coach the Victorian and All Stars sides respectively. '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,' Seven's head of AFL and sport innovation Gary O'Keefe 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.' The game will raise funds for the Australian Prostate Centre and again honours the legacy of football legend EJ Whitten, who passed away from prostate cancer in 1995.
7NEWS
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Cyril Rioli and Gary Ablett Jnr stepping out of retirement for Legends Game, live and free on Seven and 7plus
Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli is stepping out of retirement for a shock return to an AFL event, confirming he will play in the rebooted Legends Game. 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.
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Cyril's back! Rioli, Ablett headline return of Legends Game
A decade on from his crowning achievement as a footballer, Cyril Rioli will step out of retirement for one night only in a much-anticipated return to the sport to headline the return of the AFL's Legends Game. The exhibition match will return for the first time since 2019 on August 28 at Marvel Stadium, with Rioli locked in to pull on the boots alongside the likes of Gary Ablett Jr, Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge. The Thursday night clash between the AFL's home-and-away conclusion and the start of the finals series comes 10 years on from the high point of Rioli's career, where he snared the 2015 Norm Smith Medal after putting on a clinic in the grand final win over West Coast to cap Hawthorn's third-straight premiership triumph. Rioli played the last of his 189 games in early 2018 and has had a limited association with the game at the top level amid the Hawks' racism saga, with the four-time premiership star absent from the club's celebration of last decade's flag 'three-peat' earlier this year. Cyril Rioli in Darwin watching the clash between Gold Coast and Geelong earlier this year. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Photos Seven will broadcast the exhibition clash, with network personalities and footy greats Tim Watson and Shane Crawford to coach the Victorian and All Stars sides respectively. '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,' Seven's head of AFL and sport innovation Gary O'Keefe said. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. '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.' The game will raise funds for the Australian Prostate Centre and again honours the legacy of football legend EJ Whitten, who passed away from prostate cancer in 1995.
