Australian Football Association of North America

by Johnson Leung reporting for AFANA in Melbourne

Carlton star Anthony Koutoufides has become the first AFL player to win the Australian version of Dancing With The Stars, performing with professional dancer Natalie Lowe to defeat teenage chess prodigy Arianne Caoili and dance partner Carmelo Pizzino in the Grand Final. Koutoufides and Lowe scored 108 points across the three rounds, with Caoili and Pizzino receiving a score of 96 from the judges. When combined with audience votes through the previous seven days, it was enough for Koutoufides and Lowe to take out the title in the fifth season of the Channel Seven celebrity competition.

Koutoufides was the second football player coached by Lowe to the finals, with former rugby league star Ian Roberts narrowly missing out on the series two title in 2005. Koutoufides and Lowe received a perfect final round score of 40, dancing to the tune of Together We Are One by Delta Goodrem. Caoili and Pizzino, dancing to the music from West Side Story, scored 36 points.

Koutoufides and Lowe were shocked to be named the show's champions. "I've won a Premiership before and you can't beat that, but this is up there," Koutoufides was quoted as saying. He later told his club's website: "I can't believe it, I was looking forward to being involved in the series but didn't even think about getting through to the Grand Final, let alone winning it. I really want to thank Nat for all the hard work she has put into the routines and teaching me right through the series. She is sensational and I am so glad I have been able to dance well enough to reward her great work. I also want to thank all the people who have voted for us during the series and in doing so helped to raise funds for the Royal Children's Hospital. A big thanks also to the Carlton Football Club and the supporters who have voted for us and continued to support us throughout the series."

Koutoufides also thanked his whole family, especially wife Susie (who admitted at times the past ten weeks had been tough with Koutoufides spending up to eight hours a day training with another woman). He said he would like to do more in the media but would wait and see, especially with Seven having the AFL rights from next year.

Lowe, who signed up to become a Carlton member two weeks before the ballroom showdown (with Koutoufides' support), said it had been a sensational experience dancing with a club champion. "Kouta has been great, he has worked so hard and has improved so much in such a short time. The experience has been made even better by the involvement of his family; they have been fantastic and so supportive all the way. While I'm from Sydney I will be following Kouta's AFL season closely and of course I am a True Blue Carlton fan," she said, adding: "I hope Kouta keeps dancing."

Koutoufides, who signed a new deal with the Blues two months ago with heavily reduced pay as well as relinquishing his captaincy, will now start his official pre-season training with the club, which graciously allowed him to have two weeks off, while Lowe prepares to compete in the Australian Dancesport Championships in Melbourne in early December.

Scores:

Round 1 – Koutoufides and Lowe: 33 points (quickstep); Caoili and Pizzino: 33 points (Paso Doble).

Round 2 (Lindy Hop) – Koutoufides and Lowe: 35 points, Caoili and Pizzino: 27 points.

Round 3 (free-style) – Koutoufides and Lowe: 40 points, Caoili and Pizzino: 36 points.

Sources: Dancing With The Stars website; Herald Sun; Sydney Daily Telegraph; carltonfc.com.au; author's notes