But even Matthew Jones and Andrew McLean – noted evergreens around the state – are excited for the fourth Relive the Rivalry encounter.

Jones, a 1999 William Leitch Medallist at Clarence, a New Norfolk veteran and a one-time South Launceston star who at nearly 40 ended his career at Old Scotch, is set to return for a second game against Victoria All-Stars.

“It’s great to play against the players you admire as a kid growing up – (Anthony) Koutoufides, Ang Christou, Darryl White and those sort of fellas,” Jones said. 

“They’re classy. I played on Micky O’Loughlin last year and was very happy I was only playing on him for five minutes. He’s still very silky.”

In the tradition of charity fundraisers, Tasmania is yet to lose one of its Muscular Dystrophy home games that has moved from Hobart to Launceston for the first time.

“I hope the crowd come along to look because you don’t get to see these superstars from Victoria in Tasmania often – and Matty Richardson – playing footy much these days,” Jones said.

McLean is just coming off a NTFA division 2 flag for Lilydale. At his ripe age, the PE teacher is far from tired.

“It’s another opportunity, another game of footy,” he said. “It’s also a great to catch up with some players who moved on and that.”

The ruckman played six AFL games some 21 seasons back at St Kilda. So McLean has other motives to run with and against old rivals.

“It’s more what happens off the field when we catch up,” he said. “You hear the old stories and just rekindling those old friendships again.”