The Weekly Times launches 20 living legends in country footy

The Weekly Times in partnership with Elders has launched 20 living legends in country footy - an 8-page wraparound that will also be published in this week’s Sunday Herald Sun - celebrating the greatest players who played AFL across country Victoria. 

The Weekly Times editor James Wagstaff said: “Nothing pulls a rural community together quite like country footy. It’s a right of passage in towns and villages across the state and provides so much more than a few hours of Saturday afternoon entertainment. It’s an important thread in the fabric of country life.” 

The Weekly Times’ general manager Agostino Giramondo said the feature reflected the masthead’s deep commitment to rural and regional communities.

“Community sports are generally embedded into small towns and regions as a way for residents to meet and develop social connections,” he said. 

“Country footy is the biggest of all these sports in Victoria and why The Weekly Times is the voice of regional and rural Australia.”

Brendan Rinaldi - state general manager - Victoria/Riverina at Elders said: “Elders is an integral part of the Australian agricultural community, and our links to the community are something we have been committed to for many years. 

“Our support of The Weekly Times aligns with our values of integrity, accountability, teamwork, innovation, and customer-centricity, which add value to our regional and rural communities. Through local footy, real like social networks are strengthened and sport builds a sense of belonging not only for participants but it also contributes to community character and gives us local role models that inspire and unify us.”

The criteria for selection into the list was a player had to be a champion of the league they played in, have not played for a minimum of 20 years and their achievements at VFL and AFL level carried no weight in the selection process.