"For a time they become gods and heroes."
The Australian Football Hall of Fame (AFHOF) was established by the Australian Football League in 1996 to recognise and enshrine those who have made a significant contribution to the game since its inception in 1858.
Now, footy fans can pay homage to these greats at a new, permanent addition to the ‘Australia’s Game’ gallery in the National Sports Museum. The Australian Football Hall of Fame exhibition opened on Tuesday August 5 at the museum which is located, fittingly, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
An outstanding array of material from the Legends of the Australian Football Hall of Fame and those inducted in 2008 will be displayed – including the guernsey worn by Darrel Baldock on the day he captained St Kilda to their 1966 premiership, a certificate presented to Haydn Bunton Snr. in 1931 recognising the first of his three Brownlow medals, John Coleman’s Essendon training bag and guernseys worn by Ron Barassi, Kevin Bartlett, Leigh Matthews and Ted Whitten.
There will also be artefacts from Roy Cazaly, Gordon Coventry, Jack Dyer, Graham Farmer, Peter Hudson, Bill Hutchison, Jock McHale, John Nicholls, Bob Pratt, Dick Reynolds, Barrie Robran, Bob Skilton, Norm Smith, Ian Stewart and more. Plus, the match ball that 2008 Legend Alex Jesaulenko used to kick his 100th goal in 1970 will also be on show.
"The Australian Football Hall of Fame has found a new, natural home at the National Sports Museum inside the MCG, the spiritual home of Australian football," said Gerry Kerlin, Melbourne Cricket Club museums general manager. "The exhibition will give due reverence to those who have contributed to the history of Australia's only indigenous game."
"The Australian Football Hall of Fame is a magnificent tribute to the greats of our only home-grown game," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said. "Since the first-ever match in Yarra Park in 1858, every footballer has dreamed of starring on the MCG and it is fitting that the greatest heroes of Australia's indigenous game are recognised in the National Sports Museum, just a drop punt away from the goals at the Punt Road end of the ‘G."
The Australian Football Hall of Fame honours players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives who have been instrumental in changing the game significantly for the better. An individual’s outstanding service and overall contribution to the game of Australian football is considered when determining eligibility, and induction is deemed to be the game’s highest honour.