Melville reserves coach Shane Brown will live out a dream when he runs onto Telstra Dome next Tuesday (July 1) as part of the annual EJ Whitten Legends game between Victoria and the All Stars.
The 43-year-old was one of two winners from a national competition aimed at finding a participant for each of the Victorian and All Star teams.
The 100-game player, who injured his back in 1987 and was told in 1991 that he’d never play football again (before kicking 100 goals the next season), will be coached by Neale Daniher and play alongside the likes of game legends Richard Champion, Mark Bickley and Mark Ricciuto.
Playing in the Victorian team are big names such as Wayne Schwass, Mick Martyn, Austinn Jones, Andrew Dunkley, Mark Mercuri, Peter Riccardi and Dermott Brereton.
Wes Smith, from Baker Smith Management, the company that manages the game, said Shane’s selection was ultimately up to All Stars coach Neale Daniher.
“We ran a “Play in the Game” competition nationally on the Legends Game website,” Mr Smith said from Melbourne.
“The entries were whittled down by a selection panel and then the final 10 or 12 for both the All Stars and Victorian teams were passed onto the respective coaches Neale Daniher and Chris Connolly.
“We have run the competition each year to offer a member of the public a chance to run out onto the field with former greats and Shane won the right to be the All Star player.
“Selection is generally based in the person’s ability to genuinely get a kick, those with a food football track record and those who are going to go out there and enjoy the game.”
The 13th annual EJ Whitten Legends game will be televised on Channel 9 next Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
