The Espy Rockdogs proved way too strong for The Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM Megahertz at yesterday’s Reclink Community Cup, winning the match by hefty 35 points at Elsternwick Park in front of a huge crowd.

A footy match celebrating Melbourne’s vibrant music community, The Reclink Community Cup attracted 11,000 people to Elsternwick Park, raising $200,000 for event organizers Reclink, a charity that provides over 4500 sport and arts activities across Australia each year to help people experiencing disadvantage.

While Espy Rockdogs captain Dan Sultan and Coach, Paul Kelly were presented with the Reclink Community Cup trophy, Michael Cini (Money for Rope) was awarded the Steve Connelly medal for his ‘Best on Ground’ performance.

Audiences were also entertained by sets from You Am I, Tumbleweed, The Rebelles, The Mercy Kills and Red Rockets of Borneo, who each paid tribute to Melbourne’s own rock legend Nick Cave.

Reclink would like to thank everyone involved in this year’s Reclink Community Cup – from the event partners to the punters that enjoyed Melbourne’s winter sunshine, the success of this year’s Reclink Community Cup has ensured the event will return in 2012 for another big day of footy and music.

Here is some important info to note:

11am – Gates Open

Kids’ zone open till 3pm

11am – Red Rockets Of Borneo (Free Kick competition winner)

12noon – The Mercy Kills

1pm -The Rebelles

1.50pm - Barry Morgan performs our National Anthem

1.55pm – Coin Toss

2pm – Match Commences

Half-time – Tumbleweed

Post match – You am I

6pm Gates Close

To Enter: If you could hold your own community cup which celebrities would you get to participate in your teams? Get creative, we’d personally like to see Lady Gaga Vs Elton John in a game of aussie rules. Tell us in 30 words or less and you could win a double pass, the most creative and hilarious answer will win. Get on it!

Check out the entry details at TheLBLM website.

The Espy Rockdogs, for the second year running will be led by Melbourne’s own blues powerhouse Dan Sultan, who will be assisted this year with two Vice Captains, the experienced, veteran Espy Rockdog Tim Rogers and newcomer Jo Syme (Big Scary) will make her debut as VC this year.

Adding muscle, footy know how and musical pedigree will be Rockdogs Coach, Paul Kelly, in his first year at the helm of the Espy Rockdogs,  “There will be no forward press. I will not use the word ‘structure’ when I address the players. I look forward to a good, clean, close game and a happy day for all” says Coach Kelly.

Assisting Kelly in coaching duties this year will be Jon Von Goes, one time Megahertz player has made a controversial move and swapped sides this year, so the Rockdogs will be expecting some inside Megahertz tips from JVG in his role as assistant coach. Overseeing all things with regard to the Rockdogs is the Chairwoman of Selectors and long time Community Cup devotee, Tracee ‘The Siren’ Hutchison who brings the final piece d résistance to the Rockdogs for 2011.

The Espy Rockdogs 2011 team includes a handful of footy debutantes from Melbourne’s music scene including Stacey Pommer, powerful drummer for Vice Grip Pussies, who makes his debut for the Rockdogs having played junior level footy in the Gold Coast before rock n roll drove him to Melbourne and Brendan Charlie and Jack Davies (Bittersweet Kicks) who will also be bursting onto the field to debut for the Rockdogs in June.

The Megahertz have embraced the coaching revolution with the elevation of 2010 Community Cup winning coach Neil Rogers (The Australian Mood Triple R Thursday 8-10pm) to the new role of Director of Coaching opening the way for Vince Peach (Soul Time PBS Wednesday 3-5pm) to make his coaching debut. A unique blend of experience and complete ignorance of the great game, the Rogers / Peach era is set to begin.

Succession planning is also at the forefront of The Megahertz’s planning for 2011 with captains Jess McGuire (Breakfasters Triple R) and Maddy Mac (Homebrew PBS Monday 3-5pm) bringing some new blood into the leadership group. They’ll be taking under their wings a couple of up and comers in new joint vice-captains Lukie D (Everybody Moves PBS Tuesday 7-8pm) and Stew Farrell (All Over The Shop Triple R).

MEGAHERTZ DEBUTANTES 2011 feature pocket rocket Eli Schoulal, the latest addition to the Megahertz midfield, she hosts Hellzapoppin’ on Triple R from 8- 10pm Saturdays. Dave “The Scot” Hinnrichs is casting off the last vestiges of his Celtic heritage to embrace our great indigenous game. In his first year hosting The Heather’s On Fire from 7-10pm Fridays and Brrakfasters Vinyl From the Vault segment on Triple R he’s also been a long-term spy for the Megahertz eyeing off the Rockdogs shenanigans from his vantage point as barman at The Standard Hotel.

Gary Carson promises to be mature-aged recruit story of Community Cup 2011. The veteran co-host of PBS’ Screaming Symphony, 10pm-midnight Thursdays is set to pull off some old school moves in his debut. Whereas Louise Please is fairly new to PBS with her Tuesday Drive program, Mixing up the Medicine, and she’s not taken a backward step in throwing herself into her first Community Cup aware of the increasing role Community Radio women as playing on the field.

A footy match between The Espy Rockdogs and the Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM Megahertz, The Community Cup raises funds for the events official charity partner Reclink, and celebrates Melbourne’s dynamic music and community broadcasting cultures.

Headlining the Community Cup for 2011 will be the mighty You Am I, with Tumbleweed, The Rebelles, The Mercy Kills and the SYN Free Kick Winners Red Rockets of Borneo opening proceedings on the day. All bands will pay tribute to legendary Melbourne musician Nick Cave, continuing a tradition that has seen The Clash, Devo, Kiss and The Ramones honoured at previous events.

With such a killer line up, it’s certain this year’s Reclink Community Cup will once again deliver on not only the best entertainment, but one very entertaining game of footy.

Four finalists battled it out at the Free Kick Final held at The Tote on Sunday, May 22nd and the winner was judged by music industry folk Maddy McFarlane (PBS), Honora Crosbie (SYN), The Espy Rockdogs (Michael Cini from Money For Rope), and Simon Winkler (Triple R).

Drum roll please…

The winners are Red Rockets of Borneo!

Sounding like the bastard love-child of The Cramps, Sonic Youth, The Stooges, Dead  Kennedys, Link Wray and The Loved Ones, Red Rockets of Borneo have been playing before appreciative crowds at The Tote, The Espy, Yah Yah’s and the Penny Black to name a handful, along with recently selling out their CD Launch at The Old Bar.

They’ll be the first band on stage at the 2011 Community Cup – get down early and see ‘em!

The PBS 106.7FM and Triple R 102.7FM Megahertz will defend its much prized one point win as they take on arch rivals the Espy Rockdogs for this year’s ‘2011 Reclink Community Cup – do you love me?’ – a tribute to Melbourne’s own favourite rock ‘n roll king Nick Cave, while both celebrating our vibrant music and community radio culture.

Last year more than 10,000 punters came to Elsternwick Park to enjoy a spirited match of footy with music on a classic sunny winter’s day.  So show your love for the Reclink Community Cup, lock in this year’s date and stay tuned for further details about which bands will be playing, who will be taking the field, team captains and the usual pre-match shenanigans.

All funds raised for the event will go Reclink who return as the 2011 Community Cup’s official charity partner.