Anthony Koutoufides

Some of AFL’s biggest names are set to return to the field this July in the Ray White EJ Whitten Legends Game, held in support of Prostate Cancer research and awareness. The annual fundraising event celebrates the legacy of the late Ted Whitten and raises vital funds for the EJ Whitten Foundation.

More than fifty AFL legends and recently retired ‘rookies’ will take part in the State-of-Origin match, with Victoria looking to make it two in a row against the All Stars. They’ll join a long list of more than 250 former champions to play in the game including: Michael Long, Stephen Kernahan, Tony Modra and Shane Woewodin as well as former Carlton favourite Anthony Koutoufides. 3008 had a chat with ‘Kouta’ to find out a little more about the man and about this important awareness and fundraising event.

Is it true you were a state under 16 high jump champion, why did you leave state level athletics for footy?

Yes, I was the under 15 and under 16 Australian high jump and under 17, 110 metre hurdles champion. In the winter I played football and in the summer I did athletics, fortunately I excelled at both. At 17, Carlton offered me a three year contract and that was the end of athletics.

You played in the legendary Carlton Team of the 1990’s, how do you compare your footy days to the Blues of today, do you think this team will achieve the same level of greatness as in your days?

The current team has a long way to go admittedly but they are creating their own history just as we created ours. It’s a good team and success will come in time.

Why is playing in the E J Whitten Legends Game so important? what’s your main reason for getting involved, - the footy, to settle some old vendetta’s on the field or awareness of prostate cancer?

It’s about the charity and doing something for a good cause. The money that is raised from the match will help fund research into prostate cancer which is a serious illness and it’s important to help out where you can.

How is your fitness coming into the game and what position do you think you’ll play?

I usually play in the mid field. I keep pretty fit and run but I’m not up to football playing fitness, I will be fine to run though that’s not a problem.

Did you have much contact with Teddy Whitten during State of Origin matches?

Unfortunately I actually didn’t get to represent Victoria during that time, I think Ted’s last year was 1995 and I was just outside that.

In the past the E.J Whitten Legends Game was about retired football legends back on the field in the name of a good cause; do you think there are too many TV personalities involved these days?

No, it’s all good and it’s all about attracting viewers so the television networks will keep promoting the event and allowing more awareness and fund raising for prostate cancer. The celebrities bring some fun and a different aspect and the viewers like to see if they can play. The past players are there for the talent.

Are we going to see a Souvlaki Hut at Docklands soon?

Eventually we’ll get there; it would be great to get everywhere!

E.J Whitten Legends Game
When: Tuesday 6th July
Where: Etihad Stadium, Docklands
Time: 7.30pm Cost: Adult: $16 / Concession: $7.00 / Child Under 6: Free
/ Family: $40
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au