There are few things more Australian than sausages, or ‘snags’, cooked on an Aussie BBQ, wrapped in bread and lathered in tomato sauce.
For over 25 years, Australian hardware giant Bunnings has leveraged this iconic treat for the benefit of countless not-for-profit organisations via their weekend sausage sizzle stands.
Bunnings fundraising barbies have not only become yet another great Aussie institution but are a key contributor to the more than $67 million that Bunnings helped raise for communities in the 2024/2025 financial year.
According to Bunnings most recent annual report, there were over 36,000 of these community sausage sizzles held across Australia and New Zealand in the last 12 months.
That’s a lot of snags, for a lot of good.
A worthy companion sharing top billing with the snag on any Aussie metric, however, would also have to be the footy.
So, what could be better than combining the two?
Enter the Bunnings ‘Legend of the Tongs’ competition, one of the newer additions to Bunnings’ 12-year partnership with the AFL.
Arguably a ‘match’ made in Aussie lore heaven.
For the second year in a row, the Legend of the Tongs runs across 18 weeks of the 2026 AFL season, recognising grassroots volunteers who show up week in and week out, across both AFL and AFLW communities.
Each week, five ‘legends’ and their local club win a BBQ prize pack valued at over $585.
One such legend is Geoff Bennett, a retired ACT public servant and father of two.
Mr Bennett has spent the past three years manning the barbecue most Thursday nights, having first started volunteering when his two sons played juniors.
Mr Bennett was nominated and selected for his unwavering dedication to the Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club, and the vital role he plays in creating a positive impact each week in their community.
“I was just looking for something to do to help the club, and this was available,” he says.
“I enjoy going to the footy anyway, so it’s a fun way to spend the day and raise some money for the club.”
This week, Mr Bennett picked up the club’s new BBQ from Bunnings Tuggeranong and he couldn’t be more delighted to hand it over.
He feels that it is a result of the combined effort of numerous valuable club volunteers.
“We’ve got a bunch of people who really give up a good portion of their lives to make our club work, and my contribution is really not much compared to theirs,” he says.
Mr Bennett adds that football is not just about sport, but community.
“It helps young people, and it helps adults,” he says.
“It’s more than football.”
Bunnings Tuggeranong Complex Manager, Kimberly Charley, said the Legend of the Tongs initiative is about celebrating the people who make local footy possible.
“From firing up the BBQ to creating that game-day atmosphere, volunteers like Geoff are the heart and soul of community sport,” Kimberly said.
With a bit of luck, Mr Bennett may also end up one of eight shortlisted winners who will score a trip for two to attend the 2026 AFL Grand Final.
Or, be ultimately crowned the ‘Legend of the Golden Tongs’ and take home $25,000 in Bunnings products and materials for the Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club.
A tough call in a country clearly full of so many community-focussed and generous snag flipping, footy legends.
Mr Bennett, however, has clearly earned his place in the running.
“Wouldn’t that be fantastic,” he says.
Nominations are now open, with winners announced weekly. Entries close 16 August.
Nominate your local footy club’s Legend of the Tongs: bunnings.com.au/campaign/legend_of_the_tongs
