Spare a though for your boy Karl Stefanovic, who got way more than what he signed up for last night at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
Karlos had popped down to Victoria yesterday to strap up the shoulders, lace up the boots, and hit the field for the All-Stars in the annual EJ Whitten Legends match, in which retired footballers (some grey of hair and fat of gut, some barely a week out of the AFL) run around like buffoons in a annual clash that raises money for charity.
But it’s never just a football game. The match itself – named for the legendary Ted Whitten and contested state-of-origin style between Victoria and an amalgam team of everywhere else – is a serious/light-hearted affair that tends to provide more than its fair share of highlights.
Unfortunately for Karlos, one of last night’s highlights managed to stare him square in the face.
Play was briefly interrupted during the match when a cocky young lad decided to strip down to naught more than a tied-up blue Bondsie and some socks, literally going balls out as he streaked across the Etihad Stadium playing surface.
When security finally caught up to him, poor Karl was in pole position for a look at old mate’s pole position.
Understandably, he was unimpressed.
Police were asked for comment, but could only confirm that a “23 year-old Dromana man is expected to be charged on summons for entering a sporting competition space while play underway.”
Channel Nine‘s broadcast turned away during the dash. But(t) fortunately, the rude nude dude’s cobber managed to capture a behind-the-scenes look at his behind-the-scenes.
And that wasn’t even the first time Karl’s face encountered some slightly unsavoury parts. Former Brisbane Lions triple-premiership player Jonathan Brown didn’t take too kindly to Stefanovic being given the key defensive matchup at the first bounce, and made things abundantly clear during a little dominance-asserting scuffle early in the first quarter.
Karl, to his absolute credit, recovered beautifully – roaming the All-Stars forward fifty like the true shark that he is, and picking off a poor kick from Victoria’s Lance “Big Red” Whitnall, before handily slotting the goal from 35 out, giving the All-Stars the lead over the Vics halfway through the third quarter.
From there, the All-Stars never looked back, putting the foot down to run out 24 point victors.
The moral of the story? When it comes to semi-serious charity games of football, always kount on Karl.
Photos: Quinn Rooney via Getty Images.
