The AFL Legends Game has always been more than just an exhibition; it resembles a family reunion in which generations of people come together, but this time the gathering takes place on a sports field instead of a living room. Marvel Stadium is transformed into a shrine of nostalgia and competitive spirit by the return of legends like Cyril Rioli and Gary Ablett Jr. For Victoria, the combination of Brendan Fevola and Dane Swan’s star power and Luke Hodge’s cool leadership makes for a lineup that appears to be both entertaining and intensely competitive. The All Stars, on the other hand, are led charismatically by Nick Riewoldt, who is accompanied by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Erin Phillips. Their presence highlights the event’s especially creative fusion of football skill and cross-code appeal.
The fan viewing experience is what makes this contest so captivating. In contrast to AFL Premiership games, where Fox Footy or Kayo typically offer incredibly effective streaming options, Channel 7 firmly holds this one-time spectacle. While viewers in New South Wales and Queensland are referred to 7Mate, viewers in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia can simply tune in on Channel 7. Those who depend on streaming are directed to 7Plus, a surprisingly inexpensive platform that is free with registration but requires some setup work. While the situation becomes more complicated, it is still manageable for fans who live abroad. They can gain access to 7Plus by using VPN technology, which has greatly lessened the annoyance of being geographically limited.
The way that broadcasters present these events has contributed to a notable improvement in fan engagement with sporting nostalgia over the last ten years. With live streaming and on-demand replays, the AFL Legends Game is accessible to both younger fans glued to their mobile devices and traditional TV viewers. The AFL has maintained a highly adaptable strategy through strategic partnerships with broadcasters, ensuring that viewers never feel excluded regardless of their preferred medium. This tactic has proven incredibly successful in keeping the event relevant even when it faces competition from glamorous award shows or regular season games.
AFL Legends Game 2025 – Full Team Details
Team Victoria
| Name | Role | Notable Career / Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Watson | Coach | Essendon legend, premiership captain, revered commentator |
| Luke Hodge (C) | Captain | 4× AFL premierships, Norm Smith Medalist, Hawthorn icon |
| Gary Ablett Jr. | Midfield/Forward | 2× Brownlow Medals, 2× Premierships, considered one of AFL’s greatest |
| Brendan Fevola | Forward | Multiple Coleman Medals, charismatic media presence |
| Dane Swan | Midfield | Brownlow Medalist, 3× All-Australian, Collingwood favourite |
| Steve Johnson | Forward | 3× Premiership player with Geelong, Norm Smith Medalist |
| Luke Shuey | Midfield | West Coast Eagles star, Norm Smith Medalist |
| Campbell Brown | Defender | Premiership with Hawthorn, Gold Coast Suns foundation player |
| Brent Harvey | Midfield | AFL games record holder, North Melbourne great |
| Bob Murphy | Defender | Beloved Western Bulldogs captain, All-Australian |
| Dave Hughes | Celebrity Player | Comedian, TV personality, crowd favourite |
| Stephen Milne | Forward | Prolific St Kilda small forward, 500+ career goals |
| Chris Johnson | Defender | Triple premiership Brisbane Lion, Indigenous All Stars leader |
| Paul Dimattina | Midfield | Hard-at-it Western Bulldog midfielder |
| Brett Deledio | Midfield | Richmond/Bulldogs star, 2× All-Australian |
| Dylan Buckley | Forward | Media personality, former Carlton/GWS player |
| Travis Cloke | Forward | Multiple All-Australian, Collingwood key forward |
| Luke Ball | Midfield | Premiership Saint/Magpie, AFLPA president post-career |
| Heath Scotland | Midfield | 268-game career with Carlton/Collingwood |
| Easton Wood | Defender | Premiership captain for Bulldogs in 2016 |
| Luke Dahlhaus | Forward | Premiership Bulldog, former Geelong player |
| Jordan Roughead | Defender | Premiership player, Collingwood leader |
| Josh Gibson | Defender | 3× Premiership Hawthorn defender |
| Brad Sewell | Midfield | 2× Premiership Hawk, respected analyst |
| James Frawley | Defender | 2015 Premiership Hawk, ex-Melbourne player |
| Michael Hurley | Defender | All-Australian, resilient Essendon star |
Team All Stars
| Name | Role | Notable Career / Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Shane Crawford | Coach | Brownlow Medalist, Hawthorn champion, media figure |
| Nick Riewoldt (C) | Captain | St Kilda legend, 6× All-Australian, inspirational leader |
| Cyril Rioli | Forward | 4× Premierships, Norm Smith Medalist, Indigenous hero |
| Daniel Gorringe | Ruck | Former AFL player, media personality |
| Adam Cooney | Midfield | Brownlow Medalist, Western Bulldogs |
| Isaac Smith | Wing | 4× Premierships, Norm Smith Medalist, Geelong/Hawthorn |
| Andrew McLeod | Midfield | 2× Norm Smith Medals, Adelaide Crows legend |
| Andrew Embley | Midfield | Norm Smith Medalist, West Coast Eagles |
| Kate McCarthy | Forward | AFLW pioneer, Brisbane Lions/AFLW All-Australian |
| Ben Cousins (out) | Midfield | 2005 Brownlow Medalist, unavailable due to injury |
| Ollie Geale (Prime Train) | Fitness Influencer | Celebrity entrant, social media star |
| Erin Phillips | Midfield | AFLW great, 2× W Medalist, Olympic basketballer |
| Nick Cody | Celebrity | Comedian, broadcaster, big fan favourite |
| Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti | Forward | Cult Essendon goalsneak, inspirational comeback |
| Nick Davis | Forward | Famous 2005 finals hero for Sydney Swans |
| Zach Tuohy | Defender | Irish recruit, 2× Premiership with Geelong |
| Tom Rockliff | Midfield | Brisbane captain, prolific ball-winner |
| Nick Daffy | Midfield | Richmond star of the 90s |
| Jeff Farmer | Forward | “The Wizard”, electrifying Fremantle/Melbourne small forward |
| Travis Varcoe | Forward | 2× Premiership player, Collingwood/Geelong |
| Matt Shirvington | Celebrity | Olympic sprinter, Sunrise co-host, challenged to play |
| Joel Patfull | Defender | Dual Brisbane Lions best-and-fairest winner |
| Danny Southern | Defender | Bulldogs cult figure of the 90s |
| Paul Puopolo | Forward | 3× Premiership Hawk, high-flying small forward |
| Mitch Robinson | Midfield | Carlton/Brisbane hard man, Twitch streamer personality |
| Chad Cornes | Midfield/Runner | Port Adelaide premiership player, fiery character |
| Steve Hooker | Celebrity | Olympic pole vault gold medalist |
Reference: AFL Legends Game – Official AFL.com.au
Additionally, the game conveys a very clear social message. It is a platform to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer, a cause inextricably linked to E.J. Whitten’s legacy, in addition to football fireworks. In addition to purchasing a digital ticket, fans who buy a “Virtual Legends Seat” are also directly funding research that could save lives. Sport can frequently be a surprisingly inexpensive way to foster community support for health initiatives, as this gesture reminds us. It feels both intimate and profoundly impactful. The AFL’s dedication to philanthropy through this game feels as dependable as Luke Hodge leading Victoria’s backline.
Football legends are paired with media personalities like Dave Hughes and Sunrise host Matt Shirvington, who add a contemporary touch of celebrity glitz. The game’s significantly increased accessibility to casual fans who might not watch every AFL round but enjoy the cultural theater of watching icons laugh, compete, and occasionally stumble is highlighted by this entertaining concoction that combines athleticism, humor, and personality. It has evolved into a cultural event as much as a sporting competition, possessing the grit and skill that characterize Australian rules football while strikingly resembling the NBA’s All-Star Game in its harmony of fun and nostalgia.
The AFL Legends Game is especially advantageous in the context of Australian sports culture since it crosses generational boundaries. Now, parents who grew up admiring Ablett or Rioli can sit with their kids and take in the show together, reliving the memories of their early years. Remote viewing habits became ingrained during the pandemic, and they now work perfectly for occasions like this, guaranteeing that families who are spread out across states can still share the moment at the same time via 7Plus. It serves as a reminder of how effectively technology, when used carefully, can foster shared experiences even when people are physically separated.
Fans now have much better access to AFL content, including highlights and replays in addition to live events, thanks to the introduction of 7Plus. This makes it possible for people who couldn’t watch the live broadcast to still experience the spectacle and relive Ablett’s powerful kicks or Rioli’s stunning sidesteps whenever it’s convenient for them. Channel 7 has made sure that this event will endure in the minds of fans for a very long time by combining digital services with broadcast television, refusing to be a mere footnote in the packed sporting calendar.
The AFL Legends Game ultimately succeeds because it recognizes its dual function as a source of amusement and cultural memory. It raises awareness for the future, entertains the present, and honors the past. The AFL has ensured that this beloved event continues to be much faster to watch, surprisingly affordable for fans, and profoundly fulfilling in its charitable impact by streamlining viewing access through Channel 7 and 7Plus. The Legends Game brings players, broadcasters, and fans together to create a spectacle that is more than the sum of its parts, much like a swarm of bees working tirelessly toward a common goal.
