Why Geelong Cats have been kicked out of their home ground for Superman star this weekend
The Geelong Cats have temporarily been booted from their home at GMHBA Stadium - but for a good reason.
Hollywood has taken over Kardinia Park as filming ramps up for a new sports drama starring Superman actor David Corenswet.
The untitled film, believed to be called Mr Irrelevant, tells the moving true story of 1983 NFL draft pick John Tuggle.
Tuggle was the final pick in that year's draft, earning the nickname 'Mr Irrelevant' — but he went on to defy expectations.
He became the first last-drafted player to make his team's final roster, suiting up for the New York Giants in 1983.
He played all 16 games, started five, and was named the Giants' Special Teams Player of the Year.
Tragically, Tuggle's life was cut short by cancer, diagnosed after shoulder pain in 1984 led to further tests.
Despite his illness, he kept training with the team, and the Giants supported him until his death at age 25.
His story has since been honoured by the NFL and was the subject of ESPN's 30 for 30 short, The Irrelevant Giant.
Now, his remarkable journey is heading to the big screen, with filming already underway in Geelong.
Corenswet is taking on the lead role, with Oscar nominee Michael Shannon portraying legendary coach Bill Parcells.
The project is being helmed by director Jonathan Levine and produced by Skydance Sports.
Filming at Kardinia Park has seen the 40,000-seat stadium transformed into an NFL venue for two weeks.
The Cats were able to continue training without disruption, using their alternative base at Deakin University.
Filming will wrap up in time for the Cats to return to their home ground on Monday for training
They won't return to Kardinia Park until after their blockbuster match against Collingwood tonight at the MCG.
Filming is also taking place at La Trobe University's Sports Park in Bundoora, where footy fields are being converted into gridiron ovals.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks announced the film would inject nearly $29 million into Victoria's economy.
The production is expected to create more than 800 jobs for Victorian screen workers and extras.
Over 500 Victorian locals are involved, including members of the gridiron community playing umpires, referees, and support crew.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin welcomed the project, calling it an exciting opportunity for the region.
VicScreen chief Caroline Pitcher and local MPs Christine Couzens and Alison Marchant also joined the announcement.
Producer Gillian Bohrer praised Victoria's diverse sporting locations as ideal doubles for cities like New York and California.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
NFL star Ben Cleveland's estranged wife hits back over adultery allegations after he filed for divorce
NFL star Ben Cleveland's estranged wife has adamantly denied his claims that she cheated on him. The Baltimore Ravens lineman filed to divorce Kaitlyn Terrell Cleveland on February 28, submitting the documents in Baldwin County, Georgia. According to TMZ, the 26-year-old filed for divorce from Terrell Cleveland, whom he married in 2022, 'because of adultery.' However, in her response to the court on Thursday, Terrell Cleveland reportedly has insisted that she didn't cheat on the Georgia product. She hit back at the 'knowingly false' claims, alleging that they were 'made in bad faith,' and 'vehemently' denied them. Terrell Cleveland also said that she hoped she and Cleveland could come to an agreement to resolve all 'matters and controversies' surrounding their split. She petitioned the judge to equitably split their assets and award her alimony, should they fail to reach such an agreement. The couple met at the University of Georgia, where Cleveland played guard for the Bulldogs, and got married in 2022. In his filing, Cleveland, who penned a new contract to stay in Baltimore this offseason, claimed that he and Terrell Cleveland separated back in December. Terrell Cleveland previously appeared to indirectly respond to the allegations by sharing song lyrics on her Instagram story from the Kelsea Ballerini song 'Interlude'. The lyrics read: 'The rumors goin' 'round, but the truth is kinda nuanced. I wanna set it straight, but my lawyer says I shouldn't.' She has since set her social media accounts to private. Cleveland's bombshell divorce filing in February came just two weeks after he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). The 6ft 6ins, 360-pound guard allegedly drove his truck while over the legal limit in Milledgeville, Georgia, on February 12. He was reportedly given two citations - one for DUI and one for failure to maintain lane. It's claimed Cleveland told the officers that pulled him over that he had drunk 'approximately 3-4 beers' at a country club before getting behind the wheel. Cleveland was picked by the Ravens in the third round of the 2021 draft, while Terrell Cleveland is a 'digital creator', according to social media. She previously worked at Red Dress, an online women's clothing store.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Golden Tate lifts the lid on bitter on-field family feud with rival Jalen Ramsey over his pregnant sister
Former NFL star Golden Tate has opened up on his bitter on-field family feud with rival Jalen Ramsey, who previously dated the wide receiver's twin sister, Breanna Tate. When Ramsey posted a photo on social media with his new girlfriend, dancer Monica Giavanna, last October, Golden Tate responded to a fan's comment with 'he know he gonna have to see me.' Ramsey and Giavanna are now believed to have also split. And the personal animosity between the two players exploded after the October 2020 clash between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams. The former Giants wide receiver and then-Rams cornerback exchanged blows near midfield and had to be separated by teammates and coaches. Tate and Ramsey walked toward each other as the game ended and both took swings before going down to the turf. TMZ also reported Ramsey also waited outside of the locker room after the game for Tate. 'Him and one of my twin sisters have two children together, they went to the same high school. They were together, I don't think my sister was done or treated the way she should have been treated,' Tate said on Bussin' with the Boys. Golden Tate explains his beef with Jalen Ramsey — Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) June 5, 2025 Former NFL star Golden Tate has opened up on his on-field family feud with rival Jalen Ramsey 'When that happens, who you gotta come see? You gotta come see big bro. We get to the game and I'm like, "I really don't know what's about to happen." But right away, he's like overly jamming me. And I'm like, "Okay, this is how we're going to do."' Ramsey now plays for the Miami Dolphins, while Tate has not taken an NFL snap since the 2020 season. On a previous episode of the FanDuel show, Ramsey has revealed the 'grimy' girlfriend trick he used while at Florida State - he would send direct messages to opposing players' girlfriends before big games. Ramsey would do his research for the underhanded and unique tactic, looking up offensive players' social-media profiles and finding photos with their significant others. Once the identity of a quarterback or wide receiver's girlfriend was evident, Ramsey got to typing. Then he would mention it on the field when helmet to helmet with the upset gridiron boyfriend. While Ramsey may no longer use social media for mental warfare, he is known as one of the NFL's biggest trash talkers, with his personal and professional lives colliding a few times on the gridiron. That led to the inventible fight with Tate and possibly more awkward encounters over the years off the field.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Fans split over Travis Hunter viral clip as Jaguars teammate appears to scold rookie for dancing at practice
Jacksonville Jaguars star rookie Travis Hunter is raising eyebrows at organized team activities (OTAs), and not necessarily for the right reasons. The Heisman Trophy winner who plays both cornerback and wide receiver was seen doing a bizarre dance routine during offensive drills, only to quickly get corrected by undrafted rookie Cam Camper. Hunter was seen thrusting and gyrating between plays before being corralled by Camper and directed back towards the huddle. Still, the Colorado Buffaloes legend didn't stop dancing and continued to rhythmically raise his arms to the music. Fans were split over the viral footage, which some saw as proof that Hunter – a 22-year-old who was married only weeks earlier – isn't focused on his upcoming rookie season. 'Not going to take long before the clown show gets tiring,' one fan wrote, adding: 'He'll stop when a linebacker lights his a** up.' 'It is annoying that he's dancing 90% of the time he's on video at practice,' another added. 'He needs to tone it down a bit and stop acting so childish.' Travis Hunter is going VIRAL AGAIN after video surfaced of his teammate appearing to turn him around after he kept trying to dance in front of him. Hunter is seen showing off another dance move, while his teammates appear to be trying to concentrate. Several fans are now… — NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 7, 2025 Many others rushed to defend the second-overall pick of April's NFL Draft. 'He is full of energy is all, and young, he will settle in,' one fan wrote. 'People try to make something out nothing on the internet,' another added. Hunter wed long-time girlfriend Leanna Lenee in Athenes, Tennessee last month. He then surprised his new wife with a generous wedding present - a luxury six-figure black Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Brabus 800, to whoops and cheers from their guests at its unveiling. He's one of the top talents of the class of 2025, having starred at wide receiver and cornerback for coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. The Jaguars were so determined to get Hunter they traded the fifth-overall pick, second- and fourth-round selections as well as a 2026 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the right to move up in the draft and take the two-way star last month. Hunter is projected to sign a rookie deal valued around $50 million. Last year's second-overall pick, Jayden Daniels, signed a $37.3 million four-year deal that included a $24.3 million signing bonus. Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence gave his first impressions about Hunter during last month's OTAs, saying the former Colorado star can 'run all day.' 'A lot of energy,' Lawrence said. 'I love it. Good energy. Always dapping guys up. Just bringing juice every day and, like I said, high motor, can just go. It's like a kid just runs around all day. He doesn't get tired. Can't have enough of that. 'And then as far as just talent ... ball skills, running after the catch. He's very explosive. Didn't realize how explosive he was in and out of cuts. He's impressive to watch. It's only going to keep getting better and better.' Hunter is teaming with Pro Bowl receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and speedster Dyami Brown to provide Lawrence with some serious talent at wide receiver for an offense that struggled to score in 2024.
