Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli will be stepping out of retirement to grace the football field once again, as the AFL will welcome back the Legends Game.

After a six-year hiatus, the iconic event is returning to the AFL calendar on Thursday, August 28, at Marvel Stadium.

This year marks 30 years since the passing of one of the game's greats from prostate cancer - E.J. Whitten - a true legend of Australian football, whom the game was played in honour of for multiple years.

Legends game gets AFLX overhaul
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 31: The All-Stars and Victorian players pose for a photo after the EJ Whitten Foundation Game between the All-Stars and Victoria at Adelaide Oval on August 31, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Featuring past greats and fan favourites in a State of Origin clash between Victoria and the All Stars, the match celebrates the best of Australian Rules Football while supporting a great cause.

Hawks premiership captain Luke Hodge will lead the Victorian side alongside Tim Watson (coach). Meanwhile, St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt will captain the All-Stars, and have Shane Crawford as the team's coach.

Rioli, who has taken an absence from the game, will compete against his former skipper as an All-Star player, while Geelong great Gary Ablett Jnr will line up for the Vics.

The fan-focused football event aims to raise much-needed awareness and funds for prostate cancer through the Australian Prostate Centre.