Event Information

Event Hosts & Special Guests

Craig Willis
Event Host

Craig is an Australian announcer who has appeared as the voice of many major Finals Broadcasts and is known as the 'voice of the AFL'.

Ash Aidone
Event Host

Ash is fuelled by her love for sports, public speaking, and writing. Her proudest achievements to date are emceeing on-field at the 2023 AFL Grand Final and the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Billy Brownless
Panel Host

Billy played 198 games and achieved 441 goals during his AFL career. Since then he has built a media career on TV and radio and is currently a radio host on Triple M.

Brett Rosebury
Panel Guest

Brett holds the all-time record for most AFL games umpired, with an impressive 508 matches. He has officiated nine AFL Grand Finals, including the 2010 replay, and has been named AFL All-Australian three times. Brett has also been awarded the prestigious AFLUA Umpire of the Year (Bishop Shield) five times.

Dermott Brereton
Panel Guest

Dermott, a former Hawthorn Football Club star, was one of the most exciting players of his era. Known for his flamboyant style that won fans and frustrated rivals, Brereton helped lead Hawthorn to five day and five night premierships during the club’s golden era in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Peter Daicos
Panel Guest

Peter played his entire 250-game career with the Collingwood Football Club in the VFL/AFL and is widely regarded as one of the game's all-time greats. A member of the AFL Hall of Fame, he was famous for his extraordinary ability to consistently kick remarkable goals from seemingly impossible angles.

Nick Daicos
Panel Guest

In a stunning third season, Nick Daicos has established himself as one of the best players in the competition. A premiership medal, inaugural All-Australian selection, a third place finish in the Brownlow medal in 2023 and one of the favourites to take out the upcoming 2024 Brownlow medal.

Annual Award Presentations

Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award

Variety – the Children’s Charity presents the Variety Heart of Football Award to an AFL/AFLW player who has inspired us through his or her selfless actions and dedication to children. In honour of AFL legend and Variety supporter, the late Tom Hafey, the award was renamed the Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award in 2014. Past recipients of the award include Scott Selwood, Robert Harvey, Eddie Betts, Emma Kearney and, most recently, Kate Darby in 2023.

Variety Young Sports Achiever Award

The Variety Young Sports Achiever Award is presented to a special young person who has overcome adversity to achieve an outstanding level of success in sport.

Last year we had the privilege of celebrating Charlee Lang, who was awarded the 2023 Variety Young Sports Achiever Award. At just 15 years old, Charlee is a gymnastics star with Down Syndrome, working hard to qualify for National selection in 2026 with dreams of attending the World Games in 2027.