29 Facts About Anthony Koutoufides

Anthony Koutoufides, known by his nickname of Kouta, is a retired Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Anthony Koutoufides was a gladiator in the Australian television series Gladiators in character as Kouta, "a Gladiator touched by the gods" and won the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars in 2006.

The son of Anna and Jim Anthony Koutoufides he was born and raised in Lalor, Victoria a suburb in Melbourne near the border of Thomastown.

Anthony Koutoufides was raised in Thomastown and began playing football for the Lalor Football Club juniors and was schooled at Lalor Secondary College.

Anthony Koutoufides was an outstanding track and field athlete, competing from grade six and winning gold in high jump at the 1984 Australian All Schools Championships.

Anthony Koutoufides competed in the 110m hurdles and the discus.

Anthony Koutoufides played 50 games in the reserves, where he won the 1991 reserves best and fairest with Carlton.

Anthony Koutoufides made his AFL debut in 1992, quickly establishing himself as one of the most versatile and athletic players ever to play the game.

Anthony Koutoufides was a strong mark, a beautiful kick and a hard runner.

Anthony Koutoufides's profile grew through the early to mid-1990s, and he was a star of the game by 1995.

Anthony Koutoufides was best known for both his strong mark, and his incredible one-handed capability at stoppages.

Anthony Koutoufides was better than any other player in the league at picking the ball up off the ground with one hand, and then looping that arm over opponents to set up clearing handpasses.

Anthony Koutoufides played in Carlton's 1995 premiership, earning All-Australian selection in that year.

From 1996 to 1999, Anthony Koutoufides was a solid contributor to the team, playing more often in key positions.

Anthony Koutoufides was the club leading goalkicker in 1997 with 28 goals.

Anthony Koutoufides played 20 games, averaging 26 disposals, over six marks and nearly two goals a game.

Anthony Koutoufides managed his career-high 39 disposals against Sydney in Round 8.

Anthony Koutoufides was clear favourite in the Brownlow Medal, but suffered a knee injury in Round 20 against Essendon in front of 91,000 fans; he held the equal-lead in the Brownlow count at the time of his injury, but unable to poll votes in the final three games, he ultimately finished fourth.

Anthony Koutoufides would fail to win Carlton's best and fairest, that prize shared between Brett Ratten and Scott Camporeale, but he won the prestigious AFLPA MVP Award, and would gain All-Australian selection for the second time; his knee injury would prevent him from taking part in the International Rules series.

Anthony Koutoufides announced his retirement from AFL football on 31 July 2007.

Anthony Koutoufides was selected in both the Italian and the Greek teams of the century, in the latter of which he was named a vice-captain.

Anthony Koutoufides is a life-member of the Carlton Football Club.

In Round 5,1996, against West Coast at Subiaco Oval, Anthony Koutoufides dominated on the wing.

Anthony Koutoufides took his career-high 18 marks, including the final game-saving mark which kept the Blues ahead by one point.

Competition between those rival companies for boots sponsorship caused a particular controversy in 1997, with Anthony Koutoufides having an individual adidas sponsorship, and Carlton having a team Nike sponsorship.

On 28 November 2006, Anthony Koutoufides won the fifth season of the Seven Network's Dancing with the Stars.

In 2008, Anthony Koutoufides played "Kouta the Greek God" in the Seven Network's revival of Gladiators.

Anthony Koutoufides owned the Souvlaki Hut restaurant in Templestowe Lower with former Carlton teammate Ang Christou and became the advertising face for the franchise until its closure in early 2011.

Anthony Koutoufides was a Lord Mayor candidate in the 2024 Melbourne City Council election.