LEGENDS | PLAYERS | UMPIRES | COACHES | ADMINISTRATORS | MEDIA
Legends
The Hall of Fame has a special category of inductees known as Legends. Individuals are selected for Legend status if they have had a particularly significant positive impact on the game of Australian Football.
Darrel Baldock (St Kilda)
29/9/1938
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 2006
His skill with the football was unmatched. Could play at centre half-forward despite his small stature. Captained St Kilda to its only flag in 1966.
Playing career: 1962-1968
Games: 119 Goals: 237
Player honors: Equal 2nd Brownlow Medal (equal) 1963, Equal 3rd Brownlow Medal 1965; club best and fairest 1962, 1963, 1965; club leading goalkicker 1962- 1965; club captain; 1963-1968; premiership 1966; All-Australian 1961, 1966; St K Team of the Century (captain); Victoria (10 games, 23 goals).
Coaching record: St K 1987-89 (62 games, 18 wins, 44 losses)
Ron Barassi (Melbourne/Carlton)
DOB: 27/2/1936.
Inducted: 1996. Elevated to Legend: 1996
One of the most determined players ever to play the game, Barassi did not know how to accept defeat. His attack on the football and inspired leadership made him a football great. He took that passion for the contest into his coaching, willing his players to perform at their best.
Playing career: 1953-1969 (Melb 1953-1964, Carl 1965-1969)
Games: 254 (Melb 204, Carl 50) Goals: 330 (Melb 295 Carl 35)
Player honors: Melb best and fairest 1961, 1964; Melb leading goalkicker 1958 (equal), 1959; captain Melb 1960-1964; Melb premierships 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964; All-Australian 1956, 1958, 1961.
Coaching record: Carlton 1965-1971 (147 games, 99 wins, 47 losses, 1 draw), premierships 1968, 1970. North Melbourne 1973-1980 (198 games, 129 wins, 66 losses, 3 draws), premierships 1975, 1977. Melbourne 1981-1985 (110 games, 33 wins, 77 losses); Sydney 1993-1995 (59 games 59, 13 wins, 46 losses).
Kevin Bartlett (Richmond)
6/3/1947
Inducted: 1996. Elevated to Legend: 2000
Brilliant rover and goalkicker who was known as ‘Hungry’ because of his unwillingness to handball. Evasive and with great stamina, he could win a game off his own boot.
Playing career: 1965-1983
Games: 403 Goals: 778
Player honors: 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1977, 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1974; club best and fairest 1967, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1977; club leading goalkicker 1974, 1975, 1977, 1983; captain 1979, premierships 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980; Norm Smith Medal 1980.
Coaching record: Richmond 1988-1991 (88 games, 27 wins, 61 losses).
Haydn Bunton senior (Fitzroy/Subiaco/Port Adelaide Magpies)
5/7/1911-5/9/1955
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Champion rover through the Depression years. A brilliant runner and ball-winner.
Playing career: 1931-1942; 1945 (Fitzroy 1931-1937, 1942, Subiaco 1938-1941, PA 1945)
Games: 208 (Fitz 119, Sub 72, PA 17) Goals: 427 (Fitz 207, Sub 190, PA 30)
Player honors: Brownlow Medal 1931, 1932, 1935, 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1934; Sandover Medal 1938, 1939, 1941; Fitz best and fairest 1934, 1935; Fitz leading goalkicker 1936, 1937; Fitz captain 1932, 1936, 1937.
Coaching record: Fitzroy 1936 (18 games, 2 wins, 16 losses)
Roy Cazaly (St Kilda/South Melbourne)
13/1/1893-10/10/1963
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Legendary ruckman whose name was invoked as a catchcry on the battlefields in World War II. His spectacular leaping and strong ruckwork made him an awesome player.
Playing career: 1911-1927 (St K 1911-1915, 1918-1920, SM 1921-1924, 1926-1927).
Games: 198 (St K 99, SM 99) Goals: 167 (St K 39, SM 128)
Player honors: St K best and fairest 1918; SM best and fairest 1923; SM leading goalkicker 1921, 1922.
Coaching record: South Melbourne 1937-1938 (36 games, 8 wins, 27 losses, 1 draw); Hawthorn 1942-1943 (30 games, 10 wins, 20 losses).
John Coleman (Essendon)
28/11/1928-5/4/1973
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Champion full-forward who was a high-flying goalkicking genius. His strength one-on-one was brilliant and he was not intimidated by any opponent. His playing career was tragically cut short by a knee injury.
Playing career: 1949-1954
Games: 98 Goals: 537
Player honors: club best and fairest 1949; club leading goalkicker 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954; VFL leading goalkicker 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953; premierships 1949, 1950; All-Australian 1953.
Coaching record: Essendon 1961-1967 (134 games, 91 wins, 40 losses, 3 draws), premierships 1962, 1965.
Gordon Coventry (Collingwood)
25/9/1901-7/11/1968
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1998
Greatest goalkicker in the game’s history until Sydney player Tony Lockett broke his record in 1999. A hero during Collingwood’s most successful era, he accumulated goals at an incredible rate. His strength was his major asset in turning opportunities into goals.
Playing career: 1920-1937
Games: 306 Goals: 1299
Player honors: club best and fairest 1933; club leading goalkicker 1922-1937; VFL leading goalkicker 1926-1930, 1937; premierships 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935.
Jack Dyer (Richmond)
15/11/1913-23/8/2003
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
In football folklore is one of the toughest players to have played the game. His name is synonymous with Richmond where his fighting spirit and fierce determination is legendary. A great ruckman and inspirational leader.
Playing career: 1931-1949
Games: 312 Goals: 443
Player honors: club best and fairest 1932, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946; club leading goalkicker 1947, 1948; premierships 1934, 1943.
Coaching record: Richmond 1941-1952 (225 games, 134 wins, 89 losses, 2 draws), premiership 1943.
Graham Farmer (Geelong/East Perth/West Perth)
10/3/1935
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Became a rucking giant after crossing from Western Australia. His tap-outs were attacking and his handball revolutionised the game in Victoria. Also capable of playing for much of his career with injury. A great leader.
Playing career: 1953-1971 (East Perth 1953-1961, Geelong 1962-1967, West Perth 1968-1971).
Games: 356 (East Perth 176, Geel 101, West Perth 79) Goals: (East Perth NA, Geel 65, West Perth 55)
Player honors: Sandover Medal 1956, 1957, 1960; 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1963 (equal); Geel best and fairest 1963, 1964; Geel premiership 1963; EP best and fairest 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961; EP premierships 1956, 1958, 1959; WP best and fairest 1969; WP premierships 1969, 1971 (captain-coach); All-Australian 1956, 1958, 1961.
Coaching record: Geelong 1973-1975 (66 games, 24 wins, 42 losses).
Peter Hudson (Hawthorn)
19/2/1946
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1999
A freakish full-forward who just kept accumulating goals. Made brilliant use of the body, was deadly accurate and had an amazing ability to read the play. Holds the best goals per game average (5.59) in VFL/AFL history and in 1971 matched Bob Pratt’s record for most goals in a season with 150.
Playing career: 1967-1974, 1977
Games: 129 Goals: 727
Player honors: 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1971 (equal); club best and fairest 1968, 1970; club leading goalkicker 1967-1971, 1977; VFL leading goalkicker 1968, 1970, 1971, 1977; premiership 1971; All-Australian 1966, 1969.
Bill Hutchison (Essendon)
28/4/1923-18/6/1982
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 2003
Fit and fearless and creative rover who was a key figure in Essendon’s golden era. Possessed explosive pace, great indurance and exceptional kicking skills.
Playing career: 1942-1957
Games: 290. Goals: 496
Player honors: 30 games for Victoria & 67 goals; premiership 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950; All Australian 1953, 1956; Brownlow Medal 1952, 1953; 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1955, 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1948, 1951; club best & fairest 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956. Club leading goalkicker 1948; club team of the century; club captain 1951-1957; Victorian captain 1953, 1956
Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton/St Kilda)
2/8/1945
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 2008
Freakish skills made him one of the most exciting footballers of all time. A spectacular mark, remarkably he did not play Australian football until the age of 14.
Playing career: 1967-1981 (Carl 1967-1979, St K 1980-1981)
Games: 279 (Carl 256, St K 23) Goals: 444 (Carl 424, St K 20)
Player honors: 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1967, 1970, 1975 (equal); Carl Best & Fairest 1975; Carl leading goalkicker 1969, 1970, 1971; captain Carl 1975-1976, 1978-1979; premierships Carl 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979 (captain-coach); AFL Team of the Century; Carl Team of the Century; All-Australian 1969, 1972; Victoria (15 games, 37 goals).
Coaching record: Carlton 1978-1979, 1989-1990 (76 games, 53 wins, 22 losses, 1 draw); premiership 1979; St Kilda 1980-1982 (64 games, 13 wins, 49 losses, 2 draws).
James 'Jock' McHale
12/12/1882 - 4/10/1953
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 2005
His record-and longevity-suggests he is the greatest football coach of all time. Played in the 1910 premiership side then coached the Magpies to eight premierships, including an unprecedented four in succession between 1927 and 1930.
Playing career: Coll 1903-1918; 1920 (261 games, 18 goals).
Player honors: Collingwood premierships 1910, 1917.
Coaching record: Collingwood captain-coach 1912-1913, playing coach 1914-1917, coach 1918-1949 (714 games, 467 wins, 237 losses, 10 draws), premierships 1917, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1936; Collingwood Team of the Century (coach).
Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn)
1/3/1952
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
The toughest player of his era, he could turn a game in a flash. Few players were as capable of lifting another gear so regularly and destroying opponents.
Playing career: 1969-1985
Games: 332 Goals: 915
Player honors: 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1973, 1982; club best and fairest 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982; club leading goalkicker 1973, 1975, 1981-1984; VFL leading goalkicker 1975; club captain 1981-1985; premierships 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983 (captain); All-Australian 1972, 1982, 1983.
Coaching record: Collingwood 1986-1995 (224 games, 125 wins, 94 losses, 5 draws); premiership 1990. Brisbane Lions 1999-2008 (237 games, 142 wins, 92 losses, 3 draws); premierships 2001-2003.
John Nicholls (Carlton)
13/8/1939
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Inspirational leader with intimidating presence who dominated games from the ruck. A huge man, he would feed the ball to his smaller teammates who would lift because of his stature.
Playing career: 1957-1974
Games: 328 Goals: 307
Player honors: 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1966; club best and fairest 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967; captain 1963, 1968-1974; premierships 1968, 1970, 1972 (capt-coach); All-Australian 1966, 1969.
Coaching record: Carlton 1972-1975 (97 games, 63 wins, 31 losses, 3 draws), premiership 1972.
Bob Pratt (South Melbourne)
31/8/1912-6/1/2001
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
High-leaping full-forward who kicked a record 150 goals in 1934. Brilliant mark and kick who exuded confidence and spearheaded South Melbourne during a successful era for the club.
Playing career: 1930-1939, 1946
Games: 158 Goals: 681
Player honors: club leading goalkicker 1932-1936, 1939; VFL leading goalkicker 1933-1935; premiership 1933.
Dick Reynolds (Essendon)
20/6/1915-2/9/2002
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
The ‘King’ in a dominant Essendon era. His roving skill, leadership and class in using the football was unparalleled. One of four triple Brownlow Medallists.
Playing career: 1933-1951
Games: 320 Goals: 442
Player honors: Brownlow Medal 1934, 1937, 1938, 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1939; club best and fairest 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943; club leading goalkicker 1943; captain 1939-1950; premierships 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950.
Coaching record: Essendon 1939-1960 (420 games, 277 wins, 137 losses, 6 draws), premierships 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950.
Barrie Robran (North Adelaide)
25/9/1947
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 2001
Regarded as the best player never to play at AFL level, Robran was a star in South Australia.
Playing career: 1967-1976, 1978-1980
Games: 201 Goals: 194
Player honors: Magarey Medal 1968, 1970, 1973; club best and fairest 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973; premierships 1971, 1972.
Bob Skilton (South Melbourne)
8/11/1938
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
His skills were the best in the game and his ability to find and use the footy was unmatched. A fair ball player, he embodied many of the game’s finest traditions.
Playing career: 1956-1968, 1970-1971
Games: 237 Goals: 412
Player honors: Brownlow Medal 1959, 1963, 1968, 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1958; club best and fairest 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968; club leading goalkicker 1959, 1962, 1963; captain 1961-1971.
Coaching record: Melbourne 1974-1976 (66 games, 23 wins, 43 losses).
Norm Smith(Melbourne/Fitzroy)
21/11/1915-29/07/1973
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 2007
Melbourne's graetest coach and arguably one of the finest the game has seen. Led Melbourne through it's most successful era in the 1950's and 1960's before being sacked in controversial circumstances in 1965.
Playing career: Melbourne 1935-48 (210 games, 546 goals); Fitzroy 1949-50 (17 games, 26 goals).
Player honors: Melb Best & Fairest 1939, 1944; Melb premierships 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948; Melb leading goalkicker 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941; League leading goalkicker 1941 (following finals); Victoria (2 games, 2 goals).
Coaching record: Fitzroy 1949-1951 (55 games, 30 wins, 23 losses, 2 draws); Melbourne 1952-1967 (310 games, 198 wins, 107 losses, 5 draws), premierships 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964; Melb Team of the Century (coach); South Melbourne 1969-1972 (87 games, 26 wins, 61 losses).
Ian Stewart (St Kilda/Richmond)
14/7/1944
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1997
A football genius. Out of the centre, his precision passing, evasive skills and pace made him unstoppable. One of four triple Brownlow Medallists.
Playing career: 1963-1975 (St K 1963-1970, Rich 1971-1975) Games: 205 (St K 127, Rich 78) Goals: 80 (St K 25, Rich 55)
Player honors: Brownlow Medals St K 1965, 1966, Rich 1971; St K best and fairest 1964, 1966; Rich best and fairest 1971; St K captain 1969; St K premiership 1966; Rich premiership 1973; All-Australian 1966.
Coaching record: South Melbourne 1976-1977, 1979-1981 (111 games, 49 wins, 60 losses, 2 draws), Carlton 1978 (3 games, 1 win, 2 losses).
Ted Whitten (Footscray)
27/7/33-17/8/1995
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Known simply as ‘Mr Football’ or ‘EJ’, the champion Footscray player could play in any position on the ground. A favorite with football supporters whose legend continued to grow after he retired.
Playing career: 1951-1970 Games: 321 Goals: 360
Player honors: 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1959 (equal); club best and fairest 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961; club leading goalkicker 1961, 1962, 1964 (equal) 1968; captain 1957-1966, 1969-1971; All-Australian 1956, 1958, 1961.
Coaching record: Footscray 1957-1966, 1969- 1971 (228 games, 91 wins, 137 losses).
