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E. J. Whitten Legends Game
SportAustralian rules football
TypeCharity event
Teams
  • Victoria
  • All-Stars
First meeting31 May 1996
AS 87–73 Vic
Latest meeting30 August 2019
Vic 275–275 AS
BroadcastersNine Network (1996–2015)
Seven Network (2016–19)
Stadiums
Multiple
Whitten Oval (1996–98)
Adelaide Oval (1999, 2018)
Kardinia Park (2000)
Princes Park (2001–02)
Docklands Stadium (2003–17)
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (2019)
Statistics
Meetings total24
Most winsVictoria (13)
All-time recordAll-Stars: 10
Victoria: 13
Drawn: 1

The match[edit]

Conception (1994–95)[edit]

Promoters Michael Baker and Wes Smith first conceived the idea for a legends game in 1994, the same year that the pair established their business Baker Smith Management. The pair supposedly received assurance from the Australian Football League that it would make room for the game in its centenary season schedule, but this never eventuated. As such, Baker Smith pushed ahead with the match themselves, without the backing of the league.[1][2]

Inaugural match and television broadcast clash (1996–98)[edit]

The inaugural match in 1996 featured squads of over 40 players from which newspaper readers could vote for the final representatives on each team.[3] Captains Doug Hawkins and Brad Hardie led out Victoria and the All-Stars respectively, with the coaching reins being taken by Bob Skilton and Mal Brown. The All-Stars won by 14 points, and Mark Mickan took best-on-ground honours in a match that attracted 9,000 people to the Whitten Oval in Footscray.[1][4] Scheduled on the Friday night of state-of-origin week, the television broadcast hit a peak rating of 30, which would be topped only by that year's AFL grand final for viewership.[1] The following year's match courted controversy when Seven, the official broadcaster of the AFL, shifted the state-of-origin contest between Western Australia and the Allies to a day earlier, directly opposing the legends game being broadcast on rival network Nine. Peak television ratings for the charity match more than doubled that of the actual competitive football game that took place concurrently.[5]

Despite the ratings defeat, Seven opted for the same tactic the following year, this time pitting the Allies' match at home to Victoria in a match-up that largely resembled its charity counterpart.[6] This tactic infuriated state-of-origin officials including opposing coaches Leigh Matthews and Damian Drum, who both spoke of the supposed irony that a match honouring Ted Whitten clashed with a legitimate 'Big V' game, of which he was their biggest supporter. Nine general manager Ian Johnson described the football face-off as "a sad thing" but emphasised that the scheduling of the charity match was already locked in by the promoter months in advance.[7] Nine executive Eddie McGuire also stoked the fire, accusing Seven of "threatening" the legend of the late Whitten – a remark strongly rebuffed by Seven head of sport Gordon Bennett – while AFL chief executive Wayne Jackson remarked that poor publicity had hurt the promotion of the state-of-origin match.[8] As it stood, the legends game could only ever be held on the same weekend as the state-of-origin matches, due to the club and media commitments held by more than half of the competing players that would prevent them from playing at any other time.[1] For the second year running, the Legends Game defeated the state-of-origin match in television ratings.[9]

The match leaves Melbourne (1999–2000)[edit]

Baker Smith's agreement with the Nine Network was valid until at least 2000, with the 1999 match already tipped to be played at the Adelaide Oval – at the time, a non-league venue – by late 1998. Promoters already had one eye towards shifting the match to the soon-to-be-completed Docklands Stadium for the new millennium, however complications would arise due to Seven's base at the facilities.[10] The standard of the match itself was improving every year, with most players recent retirees. Ted Whitten Jr. noted this increase in quality year-on-year, saying, "People were a little suspect about legends games, thinking they were not fair dinkum. But this one seems to have taken a new level."[11] The All-Stars' two-point victory at the Adelaide Oval, a reversal of the 1998 result, squared the ledger at two wins apiece between the teams.

The 2000 match would be significant for three reasons: it ventured out of the capital cities for the first time (to Shell Stadium in Geelong), it was scheduled in the week of the AFL grand final, and it would finish in a draw, with no extra-time winner.[12][13] Nine continued to use its only live Australian rules football broadcast of the year to innovate in both production and match format, given its strong interest in securing AFL coverage during the next television rights bidding process. Four goal umpires were utilised – an experiment first trialled by the AFL in the 1996 Lightning Premiership[14] – while television cameras were positioned on the Moorabool Street side of the stadium, facing the opposite way to a regular broadcast.[15]

Return to Melbourne and celebrity debuts (2001–03)[edit]

The battle returned to Melbourne for 2001, remaining in the AFL grand final week, where Whitten Jr. remarked at the event launch that players were now starting to train up to three months out from the match, such was the level of interest in the game.[16] On the field, scores were tied at the end of the match again, but this time a sudden death kick-off was held to determine the eventual winner. Nominated players took set shots from 40 metres out directly in front until one team missed. During the live broadcast, commentators McGuire and Brian Taylor admitted to concocting this method of deciding the result on the fly, while hinting that the dramatic drawn finish was scripted by McGuire in his office earlier that day.[17] This would later be seen as one of the first instances of the match veering towards sports entertainment rather than a fully-fledged even contest.

After the All-Stars went back-to-back at Optus Oval in 2002, Victoria would be without a win in five years in its preparation for the 2003 match – the first to be played under the roof at Telstra Dome. In another indication that the match was outgrowing its noble ambitions, non-football celebrities took to the field for the time in 2003, having previously acted as on-field runners.[18] Cricket legend Shane Warne joined Victoria while he served a ban for taking an unapproved diuretic, while basketball champion Shane Heal also suited up for the Big V following his recent retirement from the Sydney Kings (which preceded his return to basketball via the San Antonio Spurs by almost three months).[18][19][20] Actor Gary Sweet was the first celebrity to don the All-Stars guernsey in 2003, having been their runner the previous year.[21] On-field runners Darren Berry (Victoria) and Billy Brownless (All-Stars) were miked up for Nine's broadcast, as were the coaches and umpires, the latter of which included outspoken critic Sam Newman.[22][23] The scoring system was also altered for the first time, with 9-point super goals introduced after their inclusion in that year's Wizard Cup pre-season tournament – albeit from 40 metres and beyond, rather than the regular 50 metres.[23][24] Victoria won the match by a point in front of 18,611 fans, with Ang Christou – fresh off retirement at Carlton and keeping fit in the hope of being signed as a punter in the National Football League – named man of the match.[25][26][27]

Consolidation and female footballers (2004–07)[edit]

The traditional 'Big V' playing guernsey heavily associated with Whitten and state-of-origin football was worn by Victoria for the first time in 2004, with the All-Stars also donning a new design featuring an upside-down V in the red, blue and yellow colours typically worn by South Australia. Newspaper reports of the time claimed that the Victorian state jumper "hasn't been seen" since the 1999 State of Origin match between Victoria and South Australia; however, the Victorian Football League had since adopted the design from 2001 onwards for its interstate matches against fellow state leagues.[28][29] Following eight consecutive matches as player for Victoria, an injured Doug Hawkins was named as coach for the 2004 match despite having never coached a game of Australian rules football before.[28] The fixture also returned to a Friday night scheduling for the first time since 1999, taking advantage of the AFL's split round to avoid a clash with any league football.

Hey, it's a fundraiser. The whole thing is tongue in cheek. Like Sam, Fabulous Phil is there to draw attention to the game and, hopefully, boost the crowd.

Mike Sheahan, Herald Sun, 11 June 2005.[30]

Another indication of the growing fanfare in the Legends Game surrounded the use of guest umpires, traditionally former AFL umpires from bygone years. 2005's fixture was officiated by John Russo, Peter Cameron, Peter Carey, Mark Nash and – in a twist of irony – Phil Carman, who was once suspended for 16 weeks for headbutting an umpire.[31][32] Local footballers were also given the opportunity to compete in the game for the first time, with sponsor Ray White Real Estate holding a 'Play with the Legends' wild card promotion where any registered footballer over the age of 18 could go into the draw to be selected for either team by making a $10 donation to the E. J. Whitten Foundation.[33] Pre-game reports differed on the method of selection; one said the winners would be chosen "out of a barrel" while another written by All-Stars coach Graham Cornes proclaimed that he and rival coach Danny Frawley would have the final choices.[34][35] Eventually, 37-year-old Mornington forward Simon Goosey was selected for Victoria, having once played with Geelong's reserves team back in 1990. Goosey was chosen on the back of having kicked 100 goals or more for the past nine seasons, and he would boot four majors on the night to lead the Vics to an eight-point victory.[36] Diminutive West Australian rover Benjamin Cuming was selected as the All-Stars' wild card.[37]

Rapid growth (2008–10)[edit]

Victorian domination and record crowds (2011–14)[edit]

Uncertainty and switch in management (2015–17)[edit]

Decreasing popularity (2018–19)[edit]

Forced hiatus and unresolved future (2020–present)[edit]

Fundraising[edit]

Promotion and news reports in the early years of the match described 'all proceeds' as being donated to the E. J. Whitten Cancer Research Foundation, and more than $100,000 was reported as being raised for prostate cancer research in the first two years of the match.[6][38] Annual gala dinners were held on the night preceding the match, often at opulent venues such as the Palladium at Crown. By the week leading up to the 2000 match, a total of $230,000 had been raised since the game's inception.[15] This figure had inflated to more than $300,000 by the time of the 2001 match, and over $360,000 a month out from the 2002 match.[16][39] With the reported figure at more than $420,000 by the time of the 2003 match, the event was averaging around $60,000 towards prostate cancer research each year.[23]

Match results[edit]

Year Winner Runners-up Score Man of the match Venue City Attendance Date Ref.
1996 All-Stars Victoria 13.9 (87) d. 10.13 (73) Mark Mickan (All-Stars) Whitten Oval Melbourne 9,000 (approx.) Friday 31 May 1996 [4][40][1]
1997 Victoria All-Stars 10.11 (71) d 7.10 (52) Dermott Brereton (Victoria) Whitten Oval Melbourne 14,000 (approx.) Friday 20 June 1997 [41][42][43]
1998 Victoria (2) All-Stars 8.6 (54) d. 7.10 (52) Danny Frawley (Victoria) Whitten Oval Melbourne Friday 10 July 1998 [44][1][45][46]
1999 All-Stars (2) Victoria 8.8 (56) d. 7.12 (54) Michael Conlan (All-Stars) Adelaide Oval Adelaide Friday 28 May 1999 [47][48]
2000 Drawn match between Victoria & All-Stars 6.2 (38) drew 5.8 (38) Simon Atkins (All-Stars) Shell Stadium Geelong Tuesday 29 August 2000 [13][12]
2001 All-Stars (3) Victoria 7.5 (47) d. 6.11 (47)[a] John Platten (All-Stars) Optus Oval Melbourne Tuesday 25 September 2001 [49]
2002 All-Stars (4) Victoria 10.8 (68) d. 10.3 (63) Troy Luff (All-Stars) Optus Oval Melbourne Tuesday 24 September 2002 [50]
2003 Victoria (3) All-Stars 1.10.7 (76) d. 3.6.12 (75) Ang Christou (Victoria) Telstra Dome Melbourne 18,611 Wednesday 16 July 2003 [26]
2004 All-Stars (5) Victoria 1.12.4 (85) d. 3.7.7 (76) Scott Cummings (All-Stars) Telstra Dome Melbourne 18,301 Friday 25 June 2004 [51]
2005 Victoria (4) All-Stars 3.9.6 (87) d. 0.10.9 (69) John Platten (2) (All-Stars) Telstra Dome Melbourne 13,000 (approx.) Wednesday 15 June 2005 [52]
2006 Victoria (5) All-Stars 1.12.7 (88) d. 5.5.13 (88) Justin Murphy (Victoria) Telstra Dome Melbourne 12,896 Wednesday 14 June 2006 [53][54]
2007 All-Stars (6) Victoria 0.13.7 (85) d. 1.9.7 (70) Tony Liberatore (All-Stars) Telstra Dome Melbourne 12,897 Wednesday 13 June 2007
2008 All-Stars (7) Victoria 0.12.8 (80) d. 1.10.9 (78) Darryl White (All-Stars) Telstra Dome Melbourne 24,452 Tuesday 1 July 2008
2009 Victoria (6) All-Stars 0.13.9 (87) d. 0.11.6 (72) Bryan Strauchan (Victoria) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 20,883 Tuesday 30 June 2009
2010 All-Stars (8) Victoria 2.11.7 (91) d. 0.12.12 (84) Sam Newman (Victoria) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 25,347 Tuesday 6 July 2010
2011 Victoria (7) All-Stars 4.12.3. (111) d. 2.13.7 (109) Brodie Holland (All-Stars) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 25,086 Tuesday 5 July 2011
2012 Victoria (8) All-Stars 1.15.3 (102) d. 2.12.6 (96) Brendan Fevola (All-Stars) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 26,221 Tuesday 3 July 2012
2013 Victoria (9) All-Stars 1.11.10 (85) d. 0.12.7 (79) Matthew Lloyd (Victoria) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 24,087 Wednesday 10 July 2013
2014 Victoria (10) All-Stars 0.15.6 (96) d. 2.10.10 (88) Matthew Lloyd (2) (Victoria) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 27,800 Tuesday 1 July 2014
2015 All-Stars (9) Victoria 2.11.11 (95) d. 0.11.5 (71) Shane Crawford (All-Stars) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 26,309 Tuesday 30 June 2015
2016 Victoria (11) All-Stars 0.21.9 (135) d. 2.17.15 (135) Barry Hall (Victoria) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 18,074 Friday 2 September 2016
2017 Victoria (12) Victoria 4.19.6 (156) d. 0.24.11 (155) Jonathan Brown (Victoria) Etihad Stadium Melbourne 13,106 Friday 1 September 2017
2018 All-Stars (10) Victoria 1.15.10 (109) d. 2.12.7 (97) Andrew Jarman (All-Stars) Adelaide Oval Adelaide 8,000 (approx.) Friday 31 August 2018
2019 Victoria (13) All-Stars 33.23 (275) d. 31.17 (275) Stephen Milne (Victoria) AAMI Park Melbourne 6,000 (approx.) Friday 30 August 2019


Leadership[edit]

Sam Kekovich smiling to camera in 2019.
Sam Kekovich coached Victoria on six occasions, twice as many as any other Victorian coach.
Jonathan Brown playing for Brisbane in 2012
Jonathan Brown was captain of Victoria from 2016–17 when promotion of the match was first handed over to the AFL.
Wayne Carey at a charity event in 2019.
Wayne Carey is the only person to coach a team, captain them, and then return to the coaching role. Carey was coach of the All-Stars on four occasions and captained them twice.
Shane Crawford at Hawthorn training in 2007.
Shane Crawford was captain-coach of the All-Stars in 2014, the only time a player held both roles simultaneously throughout the event's existence.

Victoria[edit]

South Melbourne champion and triple Brownlow Medallist Bob Skilton was selected as Victoria's inaugural coach for 1996, but it would be his replacement in 1998 – North Melbourne premiership player Sam Kekovich – who would coach in five consecutive years from 1998 to 2002 and hold the title for most Victorian games coached. Kekovich's sixth coaching effort in 2015 marked the longest period of time between either captaining or coaching on either team. Victoria traditionally cycled through captains in two-year stints for the majority of the event's existence; three-time Essendon premiership player Mark Harvey's three-year tenure from 2002 to 2004 saw him hold the record for most games as Victorian captain.

List of coaches and captains of Victoria
Year Coach Captain
1996 Bob Skilton Doug Hawkins
1997 Bob Skilton Doug Hawkins
1998 Sam Kekovich Dermott Brereton
1999 Sam Kekovich Dermott Brereton
2000 Sam Kekovich Peter Daicos
2001 Sam Kekovich Peter Daicos
2002 Sam Kekovich Mark Harvey
2003 Terry Wallace Mark Harvey
2004 Doug Hawkins Mark Harvey
2005 Danny Frawley Andrew Bews
2006 Danny Frawley Andrew Bews
2007 Danny Frawley Nathan Burke
2008 Chris Connolly Nathan Burke
2009 Chris Connolly Glenn Archer
2010 Dermott Brereton Glenn Archer
2011 Sam Newman Anthony Koutoufides
2012 Sam Newman Anthony Koutoufides
2013 Doug Hawkins Damian Monkhorst
2014 Rex Hunt Scott West
2015 Sam Kekovich Matthew Lloyd
2016 Tim Watson Jonathan Brown
2017 Tim Watson Jonathan Brown
2018 Terry Wallace Brad Johnson
2019 Dermott Brereton Brendan Fevola

All-Stars[edit]

West Australian Mal Brown was selected as the All-Stars' inaugural coach in 1996. A premiership coach at South Fremantle in 1980, Brown held the coaching mantle at the All-Stars for seven consecutive years, his record unmatched by any leader on either side in the decades following. New South Welshman Terry Daniher – who played over 300 games at the highest level and captained Essendon for six seasons – held the record for the most All-Stars games captained, leading them out on five consecutive occasions from 1998 to 2002. Fellow New South Welshman Shane Crawford created history in 2014 when he became the first and only player to captain-coach a team; the role is now essentially resigned to a local football level and has not been seen in the VFL/AFL since 1981.

List of coaches and captains of the All-Stars
Year Coach Captain
1996 Mal Brown Brad Hardie
1997 Mal Brown Brad Hardie
1998 Mal Brown Terry Daniher
1999 Mal Brown Terry Daniher
2000 Mal Brown Terry Daniher
2001 Mal Brown Terry Daniher
2002 Mal Brown Terry Daniher
2003 Graham Cornes John Platten
2004 Graham Cornes John Platten
2005 Graham Cornes Guy McKenna
2006 Wayne Carey Mark Bickley
2007 Neale Daniher Nick Holland
2008 Neale Daniher Nick Holland
2009 Neil Balme Mark Ricciuto
2010 Neil Balme Mark Ricciuto
2011 Neil Balme Wayne Carey
2012 Terry Daniher Wayne Carey
2013 Terry Daniher Russell Robertson
2014 Shane Crawford[b]
2015 Mark Williams Shane Crawford
2016 Mark Ricciuto Matthew Richardson
2017 Wayne Carey Luke Darcy
2018 Malcolm Blight Chad Cornes
2019 Wayne Carey Andrew Jarman

Play in the Game[edit]

Year Victoria All-Stars
Selected player Home club Selected player Home club
2005 Simon Goosey Mornington Benjamin Cuming (WA)
2006 Mark Seccull Old Haileybury Graham Harris East Gambier (?)
2007 Perry Meka Ardmona Revis Ryder Narrogin Hawks
2008 Jarrod Arentz Tooleybuc Manangatang Shane Brown
2009 David Johns Adrian Raftery
2010 Tony McDonell Kelvin Popowski
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

Celebrity players[edit]

Non-football celebrities took to the field for the first time in 2003, having previously acted as on-field runners.[18] Cricket legend Shane Warne took the field for Victoria while he served a ban for taking an unapproved diuretic, while basketball champion Shane Heal also suited up for the Big V following his recent retirement from the Sydney Kings (which preceded his return to basketball via the San Antonio Spurs by almost three months).[18][19][20] Actor Gary Sweet was the first celebrity to don the All-Stars guernsey in 2003, having been their runner the previous year.[21]

Year Victoria All-Stars
2003 Shane Warne, Shane Heal Gary Sweet
2004 Darren Berry, Brett Tucker Shannon Noll
2005 Brett Tucker, Shane Heal
2006
2007 Strauchanie Todd Russell
2008 Andy Lee, Rodger Corser, Strauchanie Hamish Blake
2009 Vince Colosimo, Les Hill, Andy Lee, Strauchanie Damien Oliver, Blair McDonough, Hamish Blake
2010 Shura Taft, Strauchanie Craig Newitt, Gary Sweet, Shannon Noll, Les Hill
2011 Wippa, Strauchanie Ryan Fitzgerald[c]
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

Sponsorship[edit]

Broadcast[edit]

Television[edit]

Radio[edit]

  • 1999(?)–2015: Triple M
  • 2016–19: Triple M, 3AW, SEN, Crocmedia

Streaming[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The All-Stars won in a post-game sudden death kick-off, where players were nominated to take consecutive set shots from 40 metres out. Brian Taylor and Billy Brownless each converted their teams' first kicks, but neither Richard Osborne nor Brett Allison could goal with their teams' second kicks. Paul Salmon, taking Victoria's third kick, drifted his shot slightly to the left, allowing Chris Lewis to kick truly and hand the All-Stars victory in the most extraordinary circumstances.
  2. ^ Crawford was captain-coach of the All-Stars in 2014.
  3. ^ While Fitzgerald played AFL football for both Sydney and Adelaide from 1999 to 2002, his inclusion in the 2011 match was due to his role in the radio duo Fitzy & Wippa.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Browne, Ashley (1998-07-08). "Everyone loses in legends clash". The Age. p. 45.
  2. ^ Timms, Daryl (2002-09-24). "Ageing stars line up to revive legend". Herald Sun. p. 69.
  3. ^ Burtenshaw, David (1996-04-04). "Legends pull on boots to honor 'EJ'". The Advertiser. p. 19.
  4. ^ a b "History - 1996". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  5. ^ "TV footy war". The Age. 1997-06-22.
  6. ^ a b McGuire, Eddie (1998-07-04). "It's legendary stuff". Herald Sun. p. 20.
  7. ^ Robinson, Mark (1998-07-07). "Blast for Nine as TV war heats up". Herald Sun. p. 72.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Glenn (1998-07-08). "Whitten footy row farce". Herald Sun. p. 5.
  9. ^ Dowsley, Paul (1998-07-15). "Primetime ratings". Herald Sun. p. 7.
  10. ^ Wilson, Caroline (1998-12-10). "Nine's invasion of Seven strongholds". The Age. p. 18.
  11. ^ Burtenshaw, David (1999-05-19). "Legends in trim to light up Oval". The Advertiser. p. 112.
  12. ^ a b Ralph, Jon (2000-08-08). "A line-up fit for a legend". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 2000-08-17. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  13. ^ a b "History - 2000". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  14. ^ Jackson, Russell (2015-03-13). "The Joy of Six: Great AFL pre-season moments". Guardian Australia. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  15. ^ a b Anderson, Jon (2000-08-23). "Whitten link to TV's footy war". Herald Sun. p. 79.
  16. ^ a b "Finals notebook football". The Age. 2001-09-13.
  17. ^ "EJ Whitten AFL Legends Game 2001 with Billy and BT Playing". YouTube. 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  18. ^ a b c d Timms, Daryl (2003-05-02). "Warnie kicks on with Legends". Herald Sun. p. 117.
  19. ^ a b Timms, Daryl (2003-05-27). "Heal says egos in attack". Herald Sun. p. 67.
  20. ^ a b "Heal signs for Spurs". ABC News. 2003-10-07. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  21. ^ a b McGuire, Eddie (2002-09-21). "Scoot to the bench, my son". Herald Sun. p. 114.
  22. ^ Timms, Daryl (2003-07-07). "If you don't mind, umpire". Herald Sun. p. 38.
  23. ^ a b c McGuire, Eddie (2003-07-12). "9-point legends". Herald Sun. p. 106.
  24. ^ "Kickett proves big hit". The Advertiser. 2005-06-16. p. 100.
  25. ^ McClure, Geoff (2003-07-16). "Sporting Life". The Age. p. 21.
  26. ^ a b "History - 2003". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  27. ^ Timms, Daryl (2003-07-18). "Legends game a winner with fans". Herald Sun. p. 99.
  28. ^ a b McGuire, Eddie (2004-05-22). "Time to shine, Doug". Herald Sun. p. 114.
  29. ^ Barry, Evonne (2001-06-23). "Big V shifts leagues". Herald Sun. p. 87.
  30. ^ Sheahan, Mike (2005-06-11). "Legends letdown". Herald Sun. p. 78.
  31. ^ Timms, Daryl (2005-05-25). "Ump Phil flattened". Herald Sun. p. 89.
  32. ^ Timms, Daryl (2005-06-15). "Croweaters threaten Vic reputation". Herald Sun. p. 81.
  33. ^ Rucci, Michelangelo (2005-05-26). "Cornes on lookout for matchwinner". The Advertiser. p. 107.
  34. ^ Timms, Daryl (2005-05-27). "Ring-in legends". Herald Sun. p. 108.
  35. ^ Cornes, Graham (2005-05-28). "Chance to live out footy fantasy". The Advertiser. p. 124.
  36. ^ Timms, Daryl (2005-06-16). "Legends give fans the Goosey bumps". Herald Sun. p. 89.
  37. ^ "Kickett proves big hit". The Advertiser. 2005-06-16. p. 100.
  38. ^ "Ted's old boys still kicking". The Advertiser. 1998-07-08. p. 65.
  39. ^ Edmund, Sam (2002-08-16). "SOS in Legends Game". Herald Sun. p. 108.
  40. ^ "Step back in time not to be taken lightly". The Age. 1996-06-01. p. 62.
  41. ^ "History - 1997". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  42. ^ Wilson, Caroline (1997-06-19). "Legends rekindle rivalry between channels". The Age. p. 55.
  43. ^ "Kid? You're kidding". The Age. 1997-06-21. p. 28.
  44. ^ "History - 1998". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  45. ^ Niall, Jake (1998-07-12). "Fun games win points over origin". The Sunday Age. p. 30.
  46. ^ Flanagan, Martin (1998-07-11). "Legends still rocking for Ted". The Age. p. 20.
  47. ^ "History - 1999". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  48. ^ "TV Now: Friday May 28". The Age. 1999-05-23. p. 137.
  49. ^ "History - 2001". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  50. ^ "History - 2002". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  51. ^ "History - 2004". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  52. ^ "History - 2004". EJ Whitten Legends Game. 2010-07-03. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  53. ^ "E.J. Whitten Legends Game Launch". Telstra Dome. 2006-05-23. Archived from the original on 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  54. ^ "2006 Game Results". E. J. Whitten Legends Game. 2006-08-19. Archived from the original on 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  55. ^ "Muscling in on fundraiser". Herald Sun. 1998-07-04. p. 13.