Michael O'Loughlin

Just ahead of Round 12, the Sydney Swans held their Hall of Fame dinner. The event was held in Melbourne for the first time in a decade. The club added four new inductees and elevated eight others to Champion status. This a new category, being introduced this year to recognize those with outstanding achievements and who have made significant contributions to the club, but who may not yet qualify for Legend due to a lack of games played.

The four new inductees were Daryn Cresswell, Peter Reville, Arthur Hiskins and Tom Bushell. Elevated were Tony Lockett, Roy Cazaly, Laurie Nash, Barry Round, Greg Williams, Gerard Healy, Michael O’Loughlin and Brett Kirk.

The Inductees

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Adam Goodes has always been a spokesperson for his people, their indigenous heritage and a strong voice against racism. As a result, he has become highly respected off the football field as well as on and was named Australian of the Year in 2014. In 2013, Goodes heard a fan in the crowd call out to him using a racist slur and Goodes turned and pointed her out to security guards who escorted her from the ground. The fan turned out to be a 13 year old girl.

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

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)

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities. All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT. This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. This story will be periodically updated with late information. (Revised 9/25/14)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Once a year, an indigenous all-star team takes on one of the AFL teams in an exhibition game. Earlier this year, senior indigenous players from across the AFL approached the League requesting more opportunities to play together as a team. As a result, the AFL has announced that the 2013 team which will play Ireland in the international Series in Ireland will be made up of all indigenous players. AIS-AFL Academy Head Coach and former Sydney Swans games record holder Michael O’Loughlin will coach the side, with the senior coaching panel to be made up of Rodney Eade, Tadhg Kennelly and Andrew McLeod.

Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Most club games: Lenny Hayes (StK) played his 265th game in Round Two, putting him equal with Gary Colling in fifth place on the all-time club games list. Ahead of them are Robert Harvey (383 games, 1988-2008), Nathan Burke (323 games, 1987-2003), Stewart Loewe (321 games, 1986-2002), Barry Breen (300 games, 1965-82). Following them are Stephen Milne (260 games, 2001-through Round Two, 2013), Kevin Neale (256 games, 1965-77), Justin Peckett (252

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

300 games: Jude Bolton (SYD) will play his 300th game this weekend in the Preliminary Final, making him the third player in club history to reach 300 games, joining Adam Goodes (317 games since 1999) and Michael O’Loughlin (303 games, 1995-2009).

Most Club Finals: Adam Goodes and

Between the end of the NAB Cup series and the start of Round One on March 24, the AFL held the season launch in Sydney. In between the festivities, League officials met with club captains and coaches to discuss the new rules which were tried out in the preseason. One rule which was high on the agenda was the two substitute-two interchange player rule.

There is very little Peter Schwab has not done in football, except perhaps umpire games (unless you count the 2006 USAFL national tournament when he donned a whistle for several matches). He has been a player (Hawthorn), an assistant coach (Richmond and Hawthorn), a senior coach (Hawthorn), a member of the Match Review Panel, umpire director and CEO of AFL Victoria.