AFL Awards

The West Coast Eagles came from an early 29 point deficit and win a thrilling Grand Final in the last two minutes. For most of the second half, the game was nearly even. For the club, it was their 4th premiership in the 32nd season since they joined the newly formed national competition. Collingwood fought valiantly but in the end couldn't get that hand on the cup. Collingwood were out of the blocks early kicking the first five goals of the match.

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

Not since 2002, when Nick Riewoldt (drafted in 2000) won the Rising Star Award*, has a Number One draft pick been the winner. Now, Essendon's prized frist selection from 2016 joins Riewoldt in the unique double. He was named and presented with the award on Sept. 1 after an impressive debut season. McGrath, 19, earned his nomination in Round Four against Adelaide. He had 28 disposals, laid four tackles and had five scoring involvements. McGrath becomes the second Essendon player to win the award, following Dyson Heppell's win in 2011.

 

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

 The AFL Commission was scheduled to meet on November 15 to discuss, among other things, whether or not to strip Jobe Watson of his 2012 Brownlow Medal. However, about a week before the meeting Watson decided to return the medal himself. He said he had "mixed emotions" regarding his decision. Now the Commission will decide whether or not to award the medal retrospectively to the two runners-up in Sam Mitchell and Dustin Martin. 

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL held their Hall Of Fame ceremony was held just a few days before Round 10 to induct five new members and elevate one current member to legend status. The new inductees were Michael O'Loughlin, Peter Bell, Neil Roberts, administrator Bob Hammond and WA star Austin Robertson. Current member Tony Lockett was elevated to Legend (see separate story). All were present for the ceremonies and were interviewed.

MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN

SYDNEY 1995-1999, 303 games, 521 goals

HONORS: Best and fairest 1998; 2nd best and fairest 2000; leading goal kicker 2000, 2001; premiership 2005; All-Australian 1997, 2000; Indigenous Team of the Century; State representative (SA 2 games); Fos Williams Medal 1998 (best on ground for SA in State of Origin games); International Rules (4 games)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The annual presentation of AFL Life Memberships will take place during the League's AGM in March. Of the 13 candidates, ten automatically qualified during the 2014 season by reaching the 300 game milestone in their careers. The  ten are Jimmy Bartel, Leon Cameron, Kane Cornes, Dean Cox, Nick Dal Santo, Corey Enright, Nick Riewoldt, Brenton Sanderson, Justin Schmitt and Brad Scott. Life Membership was also recommended under the provision of "Special Service to the Game" to long-time club administrators Graeme Allan, Greg Miller and former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA

GWS has won an Australian Multicultural Marketing Award. The awards, recently held at the Sydney Opera House, annually recognize multicultural marketing, in particular organizations that "demonstrate vision, awareness, innovation and leadership in communications".

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

In mid-November, Fremantle held its club champion awards function and - despite missing four games through suspension - midfielder Nat Fyfe was the resounding winner of the Doig Medal. It is Fyfe's second consecutive win, capping a stellar season during which he was named the AFLPA's best player and earned All-Australian selection. Fyfe polled 283 votes from his 20 appearances, 20 more than he did from two more games in 2013.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Sydney midfielder Luke Parker has won his first Bob Skilton medal as the Swans' best and fairest. Parker polled in all but three games to finish on 758 votes, ahead of Josh Kennedy (709) and Lance Franklin (688). Parker, 21, is the youngest winner since Michael O'Loughlin in 1998. He also won the Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award, which is voted on by the playing group. Parker led the club in 2014 for tackles, averaging six per game, and was among the leaders for the season in disposals, contested possessions and goals. Coach Longmire praised Parker as a great competitor, saying the win - after just 82 games - was a great achievement. “When you look at the players behind him - Kennedy and Franklin - you quickly get an understanding of how good a season he has had, and how highly we think of him as a player. Luke was taken as quite a late draft pick, but he really is testament to where hard work can get you, and we value that really highly."