AFL Awards

Just ahead of Round 12, the AFL held their annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Three were honored posthumously - the late Trevor Barker, the late Jim Deane and the late Ron Evans. The other three were Brad Hardie, Mick Malthouse and Ken Hunter.

TREVOR BARKER
St Kilda 1975-1989
Games: 230
Goals: 134

In mid-January, the AFL presented their annual life memberships to eight recipients. Five players and umpires were automatic recipients for having reached 300 games during the 2018 season: Ray Chamberlain, Lance Franklin, David Mundy, Scott Pendlebury and Heath Shaw. The other three were North Melbourne Team of the Century member and former North Melbourne CEO John Dugdale for Special Service to the Game, Richmond Team of the Century member and long-time Essendon Recruiting Manager Merv Keane, and SANFL Hall of Fame Inductee and Life Member Wally Miller.

Bill Hector was awarded the Jack Titus Service Award for outstanding service to football, for his 50 years’ service to the Western Bulldogs in various roles starting as a Timekeeper in 1969 to most recently being the Club’s Senior Doorman.

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).