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In one of the strangest instances of having gotten the wrong memo, ex-Blue and Sun Daniel Gorringe has shown up to the Fox Footy Longest Kick competition dressed as KISS frontman Gene Simmons.

“I thought it was the longest KISS competition so I guess this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense right now,” Gorringe told Fox Footy.

“I prepared to kiss. This didn’t go the way I thought it would but I guess we’ll try do a longest kick here.

“Feeling good. If it was a kissing competition I’d be sweet but I don’t like my chances here.”

Gorringe last played AFL football in 2017, but has bounced around suburban local leagues since, last representing the Powelltown Demons in Victoria’s Outer East competition in 2021.

“I don’t reckon I’ve attempted to kick a footy over 50m since my last game,’’ Gorringe told News Corp earlier this week.

“There was a hamstring and a calf (injury) last time I tried. But maybe once I’m out there the competitive juices will flow.”

Gorringe was one of two wildcard entries, alongside 2017 champion and cult hero ex-Lion Brendan Fevola.

Gorringe’s kick, in full KISS garb, went 48.3 metres, the shortest kick of the 10 contestants.

Fevola, conversely, shocked the competition by bombing a 67.1m torp in the first round to secure himself a place in the final despite being the oldest competitor.

This year’s competition opened with a ceremonial kick from footy TikTokers Marmalade, who both beat Gorringe with their efforts.

Getting into the final, Fevola battled it out with his former teammate Daniel Rich for the longest kick, with the three-time All-Australian falling an agonising 10cm short of Rich’s 67.4m leading distance with his biggest kick.

Rich then proceeded to blow the competition out of the water with a 69.5m bomb, enough for the retiring Lion to take home the $10,000 prize.

Fevola’s heartbreak was on full display, holding his head in his hands and calling for a TV replay.

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When his final kick fell short of Rich’s benchmark, Fevola had had enough, and jumped into the murky waters of the Yarra River in protest.

The competition has been held since 2015, and sees participants attempt to kick a football across Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River to claim the title of the longest boot in football, as well as a $10,000 prize.

It takes a 75m kick to clear the far bank of the Yarra, and to date no one has gotten all the way, although Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs got close in 2016 with his 72m torpedo kick.

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