The Megahertz will take on the Rockdogs at this year's Reclink Community Cup, which returns to Victoria Park on Sunday 14 June.
The Reclink Community Cup is not your average Australian rules football game.
It’s certainly popular: the ten-thousand capacity Victoria Park tends to sell out. And it’s tightly competitive: the Rockdogs won last year’s Cup by one point, while the 2024 contest ended in a draw.
Similar to the AFL grand final, there are live music performances throughout the day, and once play is over, the crowd is given the opportunity to run on the field and have a kick. But if it’s spectacular athleticism that you’re looking for, you won’t find much of it at the Community Cup.
Reclink Community Cup
- Sunday 14 June
- Victoria Park, Abbotsford
- Tickets on sale here
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
“I think only five goals were kicked last year,” says Chris Gill, Megahertz co-captain and the host of Get Down on Triple R. “It’s amazing how we’re always so tied in the scores. I don’t know how that happens. It’s just a will to the contest.”
The Rockdogs and Megahertz have been challenging each other for the Community Cup since 1993. The Rockdogs lineup is composed of local musicians, while the Megahertz team is made up of Triple R and PBS FM presenters and staff. The event is not only a tight contest, but it’s also one of Reclink’s most significant fundraising events, helping the organising run sports and recreation programs for people who at risk of poor mental health or living with disability.
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Training for this year’s Cup officially began over the Easter long weekend. The Megahertz lineup is shaping up nicely, according to Gill. “[Lachlan] Stuckey from Surprise Chef, although he’s a potential Rockdog, he also does fills on PBS and he has garnered the red and the white,” he says.
One of the Megahertz’s star players is Nicole Tadpole, host of Respect the Rock on Triple R. “She took out their coach last year, Jim,” says Gill. “She hip and shouldered him into the next week. She’s actually playing footy for her local team, so she’s hard as a cat’s head.”
Emelyne, host of The Blend on PBS, is the Megahertz’s co-captain. “She’s the stretching queen,” Gill says. “What she brings spiritually to the team is unmatched.” Chris Pearson from Pojama People on PBS is another Megahertz stalwart. “He’s 78 years of age and he is a force to be reckoned with in the forward line. His beard is longer than some of the Rockdogs’ lives.”
The Megahertz have also been consulting with some current AFL players.
“We had Nick Larkey down to training, and although he doesn’t technically qualify, we’re just dangling all sorts of carrots at him,” Gill says. “Charlie Comben, he came down to training as well. He’s in a rock band, but Nick Larkey’s got a good face for radio, so maybe he could slot in somehow.”
Larkey, who captains North Melbourne, wasn’t sure what to make of the Megahertz’s skills.
“He was incredulous,” Gill says. “He was like, ‘What? Is this footy? What’s going on here? This is funky footy.’ No one spewed in his presence, but the feeling was there.”
This year’s music lineup features C.O.F.F.I.N with special guest Ambrose Kenny‑Smith, Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon, Public Figures, Stella Donnelly & Kee’ahn, and DJ Charlie Miller. Owelu Dreamhouse will be performing the coveted halftime slot.
“I can let you in on a little secret,” says Gill. “Owelu Dreamhouse said they had spies at the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show, just to take some pointers about how they could make it better. I think Nkechi and the team at Owelu Dreamhouse have got the goods. They’ll be raising the standard for years to come.”
The atmosphere at the Cup is always convivial. The stands of Victoria Park are filled with people of all ages donning red and white Megahertz scarves and yellow and red Rockdogs beanies. But the laidback socialising in the stands is a contrast to the intensity on the field.
“The whole day goes for a split second,” Gill says. “It’s quite amazing how fast it goes. Even though I know what’s happening and I know what’s coming up, you still pinch yourself all the time that you’re on Vicky Park with footy boots on and a mouth guard dangling out of your mouth, and you might kick a sausage roll.”
Get your tickets to the 2026 Reclink Community Cup here.
This article was made in partnership with Reclink.
