E. J. Whitten Legends Game

The E. J. Whitten Legends Game is an annual charity Australian rules football All-star game, where retired star players are reunited, along with selected non-footballing celebrities, in a State of Origin interstate game, between Victoria and the All Stars (representing the rest of Australia). The game is sponsored by Australian real estate agents Ray White.

[
State of Origin guernsey.]

History

E. J. "Ted" Whitten, a former Footscray Football Club player who died of prostate cancer in 1995, was regarded as one of the greatest ever players of the game. He was also passionate about State of Origin football. With his enthusiasm and ability to keep in the media spotlight, Ted had kept State of Origin going for many years, and his emotional farewell at the Victoria vs South Australia game at the MCG in 1995 will long be remembered as a symbol of State of Origin passion. Shortly after his death, the concept was brought into question and the last such game was played in 1999.

When he died, his son, Ted Jnr, launched a foundation for research into prostate cancer, and the Legends Game raises money for the foundation. So far, more than $750,000 has been raised for the E. J. Whitten Foundation.

The first ever Legends Match was played at the Western Oval, home of the Footscray/Western Bulldogs, EJ Whitten's club. Most of the games have been televised free-to-air in Victoria and South Australia. Due to popularity of the event, later games were moved to bigger venues. And for the past few years the game has been held at Telstra Dome.

To many, the Legends Game has since then become an important substitute for official State of Origin games. More recently, the relevance of the matches has been brought to question on several occasions, along with a renewed push for an official State of Origin series (as a result of increased Australian rules football participation in New South Wales and Queensland).

Past match results

Wins: All Stars 7 Victoria 5

Biggest Win:Victoria by 19 points in 1997

Highest Score: All Stars and Victoria 88 in 2006- Draw

Lowest Score: All Stars and Victoria 38 in 2000- Draw

Most Man of the Matches: John Platten 2 (All Stars)

2008 Game Details

2008's game was held on July 1st, 2008 at the Telstra Dome. Celebrity players included radio comedy duo Hamish & Andy, with Hamish playing for the All Stars and Andy playing for Victoria. Andy managed to score 2 goals, while Hamish scored a spectacular goal, shaving the ball off the outside of his boot to trickle in for a goal. Bryan Strauchan made his second appearance for Victoria and kicked 2 goals. Underbelly star, Rodger Corser made his debut for Victoria whilst Russell Gilbert announced that this would be his final game.
Chris Connolly coached the Victorian team and Neale Daniher coached of the All Stars.

"Unusual parts of the game"

Bryan Strauchan was sat on by former 4-club player Scott Cummings. He gave Strauchan a 50-metre penalty, right in front of goal, snapping it around the corner.

The heart rate of Strauchan went up to 230 beats (It was shown on screen, they were mucking around with it.) during the game and immediately went back to 0. He collapsed and the trainer gave him a hot-dog.

While Andy was having a set shot, Brian Taylor talked to Hamish, saying to put Andy off (Both were fitted with a microphone). He promptly turned around and pulled his shorts down, while Andy kicked a goal.

The lead changed hands many times over the game, with both teams gaining the advantage, but being pegged back by the opposing team. The All Stars ended up winning by 2 points, despite a late Victorian comeback.

Darryl White, the former Brisbane Lions defender, won the best on ground award.

2006 Game Details

The 2006 event was held on June 14th at the Telstra Dome.Among the celebrity guests was Tasmanian Todd Russell, one of the miners rescued in the Beaconsfield mine collapse [http://origin.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19096117%255E11088,00.html] . He did not play in the match though, because he still had injuries from the accident.

The Victorian side was coached by Danny Frawley, whilst the All-Stars were coached by Wayne Carey and guest Todd Russell.

Speckies were taken by Victoria's Dermott Brereton and All-Star Adrian Fletcher.

Dermott Brereton dished out rough play on former Hawthorn teammate John Platten, including an illegal elbow to Platten's head whilst the rover attempted to tackle and an illegal bump behind play.

A male streaker was arrested by security guards in the third quarter.

Guest appearances included comedians Peter Rowsthorn and Russell Gilbert and legendary Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League full-forward Simon Goosey.

The shootout at the end only featured 4 kickers per side, unlike the 5 stated by commentators.

2005 Game Details

2005's game was notable for a sensational goal scored by former Essendon star Derek Kickett.

Adding comedy to the event are comedians Peter Rowsthorn and Russell Gilbert, who make regular appearances in games despite their obvious lack of skill (in Rowsthorn's case, some would say embarrassing).

Dale Weightman is also notable for his ability as the oldest player on the ground to continually play up to a high standard.

Reference

External links

* [http://www.ejwhittenlegendsgame.com.au/ Official E. J. Whitten Legends Match Website]
* [http://www.telstradome.com.au/page/default.asp?site=1&id=2268 Telstra Dome events page]
* [http://www.raywhite.com/rw/i/docs/EJW_PlayerListMay05.pdf 2005 Legends Game Player List]