AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides has confirmed he will be running for lord mayor of Melbourne.

The man who played 278 games for Carlton, including their last premiership in 1995, released a statement confirming the news.

“(We want to) make the city vibrant again,” he said in a statement.

An “utter crisis” is how he described the state of the city and that the “time to act is now”.

“Your voices need to be heard and the final quarter has just started.”

“Vote for a better Melbourne.”

In 2004 ‘Kouta’ as he is nicknamed, was named in the Greek Team of the Century.

He went on to become a reality television star appearing as “Kouta the Greek God” on Gladiators and competing in Dancing With The Stars, which he won in 2006, and runs a fitness business.

The Australian football hall of famer kicked off his campaign by unveiling a number of key policies.

“In our lovely city, many businesses are closing down, residents currently do not feel safe, shop fronts are vacant, government workers have not returned to the city to work since the pandemic and the current economic and cost-of-living crisis has increased homelessness in the CBD,” the 51-year-old said in the statement.

“The pandemic has been over for a long time, so our first priority is to bring government and corporate workers back to the city.

“We will work with the state government to introduce new laws that government and corporate workers must work at least four days a week in their office to enliven the city.”

The housing crisis is another big focus area for Koutoufides.

“Our city needs a range of accommodation options and (we) will ensure that those sleeping rough on our streets won’t be left behind.”

“They will always have a permanent, safe and secure home.”

Property land developer and former Wyndham City councillor Intaj Khan is reported to be part of the Koutoufides team.

Neos Kosmos will be reaching out to Anthony Koutoufides.