Tony Lockett

In mid-June, the AFL held their annual Hall of Fame function with eight new inductees and one previous inductee elevated to Legend status. The Legend elevation was the late Port Adelaide Magpie (SANFL) centerman Russell Ebert, who was also recently named as Port Adelaide's greatest ever player. Ebert is the 32nd player to be named a Legend. He passed away in 2021, and the award was accepted by his widow Dian.

The eight new inductees represented not only the AFL, but the state leagues and Tasmania. They are Terry Cashion, Bill Dempsey, Mike Fitzpatrick, Brent Harvey, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Taylor, Ted Tyson and Nicky Winmar.

The Inductees:

RUSSELL EBERT - elevated to Legend status

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

Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray sensationally kicked the game winning goal after the final siren to snatch victory from a gallant Carlton in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon. With a three-point deficit and time ticking down, Gray marked on a tight angle 40 meters out from goal with the final siren blaring before taking his kick. Having missed a much simpler attempt just minutes before (as did two of his teammates in Charlie Dixon and Kane Farrell), Gray showed no sign of nerves as he split the center with a magnificent drop punt to seal the 64-61 win and strengthen the Power’s grip on top spot of the AFL ladder. 

The fact that Carlton led into the final minute of the game seemed most unlikely in the early going as Port notched the first three goals of the game with some early midfield dominance. Carlton hit back through some Eddie Betts magic who helped Michael Gibbons register the Blues first goal. That was followed by another from second year star Sam Walsh, en route to one of his most notable performances for some time. Jacob Weitering was holding down the fort in Carlton’s defense while Port appeared less organized in their usually well-structured back six, allowing the Blues to score through multiple turnovers which led to a one-point Carlton lead at quarter time.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

To paraphrase the introduction to old TV show The Naked City, there are many stories in finals history, these are a few. Every player and team strive for the ultimate prize of a premiership. Over the years, there have been many players whose teams get to the Finals or a Grand Final, but they are absent either through injury, poor form, suspension or simply being excluded from selection. These are some of those stories. [Ed. note: A "tragic" is someone for whom luck does not fall on their side and in this case, a perhaps once in a career opportunity is missed.]

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)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL held their annual Hall Of Fame ceremony just a few days before Round 10. Inducted were five new members and one current member, Tony Lockett, was elevated to legend status. Lockett was a legend in his own time with his prowess in front of goal, but it was unofficial. Now it is official. Lockett, the greatest goalkicker in league history, is the 26th player to be named a Legend. Inducted to the Hall in 2006, he played 281 games for St Kilda and Sydney and kicked 1,360 goals. His 1,300th goal in 1999 broke the long-standing record of Collingwood's Gordon Coventry. ironically, that goal came in match against Collingwood. He booted over 100 goals, known as a century, in six seasons: 1987, 1991 and 1992 for the Saints and 1995, 1996 and 1998 for the Swans. His biggest tally was in 1992 with 132 goals for the year, including a whopping 15 against Sydney. Also in 1987, he became the first full forward to win the Brownlow Medal. After the announcement, Lockett said he was proud of the record, but being named a legend meant more.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Goal-kicking great Jason Dunstall was crowned the seventh Hawk Legend when the club celebrated the 50 year anniversary of their 1988-89 Premierships. He joins John Kennedy Senior and Leigh Matthews (2003), Graham Arthur (2005), Michael Tuck (2008), Peter Hudson (2010) and David Parkin (2013) in receiving the club’s highest accolade.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Young Docker Jayden Pitt's AFL career is in doubt after just ten games since his 2011 debut. While undergoing a routine physical, which included an ECG, it was discovered he had a heart irregularity. Pitt consulted specialists in both Perth and Melbourne. He was told that the irregularity, the nature of which

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

While Hawthorn was making the Finals in the early 1990's, Sydney was languishing at the bottom of the ladder and collected consecutive wooden spoons 1992-94. In 1993, the legendary Ron Barassi was coaxed out of retirement to take over the coaching role for the Swans. Barassi, a Premiership player and coach, was (and still is) one of the most respected and well-known football personalities in football. He had been critical of the lack of support given to South Melbourne during the move to Sydney. He was talked into "putting his money where his mouth was". It was believed he could lift the Swans on the field and their profile off it in the tough Sydney market.

The Western Sydney Giants have signed former Carlton fullback Stephen Silvagni as the club's list manager. Silvagni will play a key role in putting together the team list ahead of their 2012 entry into the AFL. Silvagni has been an assistant coach with St. Kilda for the past four seasons.