Neale Daniher

In late October, Essendon announced that club doctor Bruce Reid passed away at the age of 75. He was the AFL's longest-serving physician. He began as a player in the VFL, with three games with Hawthorn in 1966 and 1967 before receiving his medical degree in 1968. At that time, he was playing for Preston in the VFA.

There are many adjectives one could use to describe Kevin Sheedy - pioneer, ambassador, quirky, madcap, innovator, eccentric, master coach, a legend in his own time. Now the latter is official as Sheedy, already in the Hall of Fame, was elevated to Legend Status. He becomes the 28th Legend.

The 2018 AFL Hall of Fame ceremonies were held on the Tuesday evening after Round 10. Along with Sheedy's elevation, six players were inducted - Terry Wallace, David Neitz, Wayne Johnston, Matthew Scarlett, Mel Whinnen (WA) and Bernie Naylor (WA).

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Sydney may have lost the Grand Final to Hawthorn, but Coach John Longmire enjoyed an individual victory over opposition Coach Alistair Clarkson when he was named Coach of the Year, winning the Allan Jeans award by one vote over Clarkson just a few days before the Grand Final. It is the second win for Longmire, the previous award coming in 2012. Port Coach Ken Hinkley won in 2013.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

After a stellar career with the Melbourne Demons 1998-2010, Bruce was sidelined for most of 2011 due to a shoulder injury and later a knee injury. Now a back problem, which has been plaguing him for several months, has forced him to retire, with doctors telling him he could risk further damage if he continued to play. Since joining the Hawks he managed just 10 games. Bruce, 32, will remain with the Hawks to assist with coaching and leadership duties this season. He is already considering a career as a development coach.

Peter (241 games) and Shaun (210) Burgoyne became the 12th pair of brothers in League history to reach a combined total of 450 games. The leaders are: Madden (710 games - Simon 378, Justin 332), Nankervis (578 - Ian 325, Bruce 253), Coventry (533 - Syd 227, Gordon 306), Richardson (518 - Wayne 277, Max 241), Wakelin (513 - Darryl 252, Shane 261), Rocca (499 - Saverio 257, Anthony 242), Matthews (487 - Leigh 332, Kelvin 155), Cornes (483 - Chad 248, Kane 235), Hocking (473 - Stephen199, Garry 274), Collier (470 - Harry 253, Albert 217), Voss (459 - Michael 289, Brett 170), and the Burgoynes.

Brendan Fevola (BRIS) kicked 3 goals in the Round Seven match against Fremantle. He needs one more goal to bring up his 600th career goal which will make him the 27th player in league history to reach that mark. If he manages 83 goals for the season, he will be 20th on the AFL's all-time goal list, just ahead of South Melbourne's (now Sydney Swans) Bob Pratt (681 career goals 1930-39 and 1946) and just behind Collingwood great Dick Lee (1906-1922, 707 goals).