Brendan Fevola leads struggling footy side to victory, but it was bad news for singer Guy Sebastian
Brendan Fevola made a surprise return to the footy field on Saturday morning, helping struggling local club Masala Dandenong break a long losing streak in front of a buzzing crowd at Lois Twohig Reserve.
The former AFL superstar lined up for the club's reserves side in the Division 5 Thirds of the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), alongside pop icon and Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian.
What began as a quirky radio promotion turned into a gritty on-field performance, as Fevola and Sebastian led Masala to a tense 55–53 win over South Melbourne Districts.
The appearance came just one week after the team's demoralising 229-point thrashing at the hands of St Bede's Mentone.
Fevola's involvement came via a Fox FM competition, where he offered to play for a grassroots club in need.
Masala Dandenong, last on the ladder and desperate for a spark, jumped at the opportunity.
Despite being 44 and long retired from the AFL, it was vintage Fevola on the day, booting six goals to steer his adopted side to victory.
'Fev doing what he does best, winning the games,' one fan posted.
'That's amazing! Well done guys and especially Brendan Fevola and Guy Sebastian,' added another.
The club had earlier teased the surprise additions on social media, promising fans a unique matchday experience, including Sebastian performing at halftime.
But the crowd got more than they bargained for when Sebastian strapped on the boots and joined the starting line-up.
While Fevola helped control the game with his trademark goal sense, it was a mixed day for Sebastian, who was later seen on crutches following the match. It's unclear how serious the injury is.
Their participation wasn't without controversy. Before the match, VAFA launched an investigation into concerns raised by rival clubs over whether the high-profile pair were being paid - which is prohibited in the amateur league.
The league confirmed both Fevola and Sebastian were cleared to play after assurances they would receive no payment or benefits.
Sebastian's day was over early, though, limping from the field with an apparent leg injury
Sebastian celebrates the team song in the sheds on crutches with strapping around his left calf
A Fox FM producer said both men were happy to sign a legal document confirming their amateur status.
'This is a promotional exercise for Fev (for the radio show) and Guy (for his music), not a money-making exercise,' the statement read.
Despite the off-field scrutiny, Fevola's on-field focus was unwavering.
'I'm pumped to be playing for Masala Dandenong on the weekend!' he said earlier in the week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding spotted jetting into Melbourne after New York trip...as the comedian goes straight back to 'work' on mammoth mansion project
Andy Lee cut a casual figure on Saturday, when he was spotted with partner Rebecca Harding, jetting into Melbourne after a New York jaunt. The funnyman, 43, and Rebecca, 35, were in the Big Apple to pay a visit to Andy's Aussie-themed Manhattan pub, Old Mates. With Andy at the helm of the venture, it is backed by an owner's group that includes the likes of Hamish Blake, tennis star Ash Barty, surfing legend Mick Fanning, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman. Andy was dressed for on the long haul flight, wearing a pair of loose-fitting navy blue tracksuit pants. He also wore a crisp, white long sleeve polo shirt, and a pair of well-worn white sneakers. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Finishing his flight ensemble, the Hundred host wore a brown and white Cherry LA trucker cap. Rebecca, meanwhile was similarly attired in a pair of grey track suit pants and a white top that she wore under a thigh-length coat. Wearing a black headband to keep her locks of her face, Rebecca was also spotted wheeling a silver suitcase and hand luggage. Andy, meanwhile appeared more interested in his phone, smiling as he scrolled and walked. He did not let jet lag get to him either, getting back on the tools at his ambitious Melbourne mansion renovation. He shared a photo to Instagram on Saturday afternoon that showed him happily posing with construction crew at the build site. While the workers, who appeared to have been rendering a cement wall looked suitably dirty, Andy, who offered a heart thumbs up, was conspicuously spotless. 'Me and the boys got the walls done in a day. I certainly don't want to take all the credit, it was a team effort,' he captioned the image. The funnyman, 43, and Rebecca, 35, were in the Big Apple to pay a visit to Andy's Aussie-themed Manhattan pub, Old Mates His followers were quick to flood the comments with suggestions that Andy was only there for the 'photo op.' 'Good to see the shoes are nice and dirty,' one offered, commenting on Andy's pristine footwear. Another chimed in with a cheeky: 'Andy rocking up just in time for smoko.' Hopefully they kept the noise down as Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed, earlier this month, that some neighbours are less-than-enamoured with the protracted build. 'It's noisy. It's been noisy... It's frustrating because it's been going for a year and we've still got a couple more years to go,' one disgruntled person said. Though they went on to add the 'earthworks' was the noisiest portion of the build, the neighbour said nowadays it has 'actually settled down quite a bit'. Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5million having begun in 2023. The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion, called Ravenswood, he bought for $8.5million in 2021, in a Block-style rebuild. The couple won council approval for their development application back in June 2023. Plans for the site include adding a second building which will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italianate mansion, which was built around 1876. Other highlights planned for the 1,950 square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'. In a statement to the Herald Sun, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for the Yarra Grove address. One neighbour told the Sydney Morning Herald in December the construction cacophony had caused the couple to lose 'a lot of community goodwill'. 'The noise is just horrendous,' the disgruntled neighbour told the publication.
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ex-Liverpool and Premier League talent guru Malcolm Elias who was behind rise of Trent Alexander and Gareth Bale dies
FORMER Premier League talent spotter and academy recruitment expert Malcolm Elias has passed away aged 71, it has been announced. Fulham FC confirmed Elias' passing in a statement on social media. 1 The post read: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness. "The Club's Head of Academy Recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent. "A proud Welshman, Malcolm was approaching his 16th anniversary at Craven Cottage this summer, having joined us from Liverpool in July 2009, while he also previously enjoyed a highly successful spell at Southampton alongside future Fulham colleagues Huw Jennings and Steve Wigley. "The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few. "A hugely popular figure around the training ground, Malcolm will be sorely missed by all who knew him. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paula - Malcolm's ever devoted and endlessly supportive wife of nearly 50 years - his sons Andrew and Daniel, his six beloved grandchildren, as well as his additional family and friends." Elias was always highly respected within football, having helped to identify and nurture some of the Premier League's best young talents. The academy recruitment expert previously worked with Liverpool before joining Fulham in 2009 - helping the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott get their breakthroughs. Prior to his time on Merseyside Elias worked with Southampton, where he had an impact on the early emergence of the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Gareth Bale. Tributes for the iconic figure have started pouring in as the football world mourns the loss. QPR posted: "We're so sorry for your loss. "Sending sincere condolences to Malcolm's loved ones and all at Fulham." While Oxford United, where Elias worked as an Academy Manager in the 1980s, posted: "Oxford United were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Elias. "A former teacher in Blackbird Leys, Malcolm began working at United in the 80's as an Academy Manager. "A much loved person and coach at the Club for more than a decade, Malcolm is an integral part of the Club's history, helping bring through talents such as Joey Beauchamp. "Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time. RIP." THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
Academy boss Elias - who developed Bale and Alexander-Arnold
Malcolm Elias, the man responsible for developing Gareth Bale and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has died after a short Fulham's head of academy recruitment, joined the Premier League club from Liverpool in 2009, having previously worked at Southampton. In a statement, Fulham said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness."The club's head of academy recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent."The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few."Welshman Elias was born in 1953 and was key in the development of his compatriot Bale at the Southampton went on to win 111 Wales caps and enjoyed a successful club career with Saints, Tottenham and Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles. England's Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, won eight major trophies with boyhood club Liverpool before joining Real Madrid earlier this month."We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Malcolm Elias, one of the influential figures in the club's youth development history," Southampton said.
