This is a listing of inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
The "Year Recognised" indicates the year in which the inductee was enshrined as a "Legend". All "Legends" to date were either recognised as such in the year the Hall of Fame was established (1996, 13 in total), or were inducted the same year and have been promoted since. "Snr Games" refers to the total games played at senior level in any one of the major Australian football leagues (including the SANFL, TFL and the WAFL, but not VFA/VFL).
| Inductee | Year recognised | Snr Games | Premierships as player | Citation and Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darrel Baldock | 2006 | 352
|
St Kilda: 1966 (Captain); Latrobe: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 | The 1966 skipper of St Kilda's only premiership side, he was a talented half-forward.
B&F St Kilda: 1962, 1963 and 1965; East Devonport 1955, 1956, 1957; Wander Medal (NWFU) 1957, 1959, 1969, All Australian 1961, 1966 (Captain); St Kilda captain 1963-68; St Kilda leading goalkicker 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965; St Kilda Team of the Century (centre half-forward and captain); Tasmanian Team of the Century (half forward and captain); Victorian State games: 10 games; Tasmanian State games: 15; NWFU representative games: 20. |
| Ron Barassi | 1996 | 253 | 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964 | 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.
Player honours: Melb B&F 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) |
2000 | 403 | 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980 | 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. First player to reach 400 league games.
Playing career: 1965-1983; goals: 778; 2nd in Brownlow Medal in 1977, 3rd in Brownlow Medal in 1974; club leading goalkicker: 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1983; captain in 1979;B&F 1967, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1977; Norm Smith Medal in 1980; coached Richmond 1988 - 1991 |
| Haydn Bunton Senior | 1996 | 208
|
Champion rover through the Depression years. A brilliant runner and ball-winner.
Playing career: 1931-1942; 1945 (Fitzroy 1931-1937, 1942, Subiaco 1938-1941, Port Adelaide 1945;) goals: 427; Brownlow Medal 1931, 1932, 1935; 2nd in Brownlow Medal 1934; Sandover Medal 1938, 1939, 1941; Fitzroy best and fairest 1934, 1935; Fitzroy leading goalkicker 1936, 1937; Fitzroy captain 1932, 1936-1937. | |
| Roy Cazaly | 1996 | 198
|
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 Kilda B&F 1918; South Melbourne B&F 1923; South Melbourne's leading goalkicker 1921-1922; coached South Melbourne 1937-1938 and Hawthorn 1942-1943 | |
| John Coleman
(Essendon) |
1996 | 98 | 1949, 1950 | 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; Ess B&F 1949; Ess leading goalkicker 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954; VFL leading goalscorer 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953; All-Australian 1953; State selection Victoria 12 games, 49 goals; coached Essendon 1961-1967 to Premierships in 1962 & 1965 |
| Gordon Coventry | 1998 | 306 | 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935 | Greatest goalkicker in the (VFL) 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.
Player honours: club best and fairest 1933; club leading goalkicker 1922-1937; VFL leading goalkicker 1926-1930, 1937. |
| Jack Dyer
(Richmond) |
1996 | 312 | 1934, 1943 | In football folklore as 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.
B&F 1932, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946 |
| Graham "Polly" Farmer | 1996 | 356
|
Geel 1963; EP 1956, 1958, 1959; WP 1969, 1971 | Became a rucking giant after crossing from Western Australia. His tap-outs were attacking and his handball revolutionised the game. Also capable of playing for much of his career with injury. A great leader.
Sandover Medal 1956, 1957, 1960; 2nd Brownlow Medal 1963 (equal); Geel best and fairest 1963, 1964; EP best and fairest 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961; 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 | 1999 | 288
|
(Haw) 1971; (Glen; as capt-coach) 1975 | 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.
Player honours: All-Australian 1966, 1969 League Best and Fairest: Leitch Medal 1978, 1979; 2nd Brownlow Medal 1971 (equal) Hawthorn Best and Fairest: 1968, 1970 League leading goalkicker: VFL: 1968, 1970, 1971, 1977; TANFL: (NN) 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966; (Glen) 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979. |
| Bill Hutchison (Essendon) | 1996 | 290 | 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950 | Fit, fearless and creative rover who was a key figure during Essendon's golden era.
Player honours: 30 games for Victoria for 67 goals. All Australian 1953, 1956. Brownlow Medal 1952, 1953. Essendon Best and Fairest 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1955 and 1956. Essendon Leading Goalkicker 1948. Essendon Team of the Century. Essendon captain 1951 - 1957. Victorian captain 1953, 1956. |
| Alex Jesaulenko | 2008 | 279
|
Carl 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979 | One of Carlton's all time greats, playing (and coaching) during the golden era of the late 60s/early 70s. The last playing coach to win a premiership in the V/AFL.
Robert Reynolds Trophy: 1975, Carlton Premiership player: 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, Premiership player/coach: 1979, Carlton Team of the Century, AFL Team of the Century |
| Leigh Matthews
(Hawthorn) |
1996 | 332 | 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983 (captain) | 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.
Player honours: 3rd 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; All-Australian 1972. Coaching record: Collingwood 1986-1995 (224 games, 125 wins, 94 losses, 5 draws); premiership 1990. Brisbane 1999-2008 (237 games, 128 wins, 88 losses, 3 Draws); premiership 2001, 2002, 2003. |
| James 'Jock' McHale | 2005 | 261* | 1910 (player); 1917 (player-coach) | Once the AFL changed the rules to allow coaches to become Legends of the game, it was inevitable that Jock McHale would be the first to be elevated.
Coached Collingwood 38 successive seasons; record 714 matches; premierships as coach 1917, 1919, 1927 to 1930 (four in a row), 1935 and 1936. |
| Kevin Murray | 2010 | 377
|
- | Brownlow Medal: 1969
All Australian: 1958, 1966 Best and Fairests: Fitzroy: 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1969; East Perth: 1965 Representative: Victoria (24 games), Western Australia (6 games) Captain-Coach at Fitzroy (1963–1964) and East Perth (1965–1966) |
| John Nicholls
(Carlton) |
1996 | 328 | 1968, 1970, 1972 (capt-coach) | 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.
Player honours: 2nd Brownlow Medal 1966; club best and fairest 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967; captain 1963, 1968–1974; All-Australian 1966, 1969. Coaching record: Carlton 1972-1975 (97 games, 63 wins, 31 losses, 3 draws) |
| Bob Pratt | 1996 | 158 | 1933 | 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.
Player honours: club leading goalkicker 1932-1936, 1939; VFL leading goalkicker 1933-1935 |
| Dick Reynolds
(Essendon) |
1996 | 320 | capt-coach) 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950. | 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.
Player honours: Brownlow Medal 1934, 1937, 1938, 3rd Brownlow Medal 1939; club best and fairest 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943; club leading goalkicker 1943; captain 1939-1950; Coaching record: Essendon 1939-1960 (420 games, 277 wins, 137 losses, 6 draws). |
| Barrie Robran MBE (North Adelaide) | 2001 | 201 | SANFL 1971 and 1972
( also 1972 Champions of Australia) |
Regarded as the best player never to play AFL, Robran was a star in South Australia.
Player honours: Magarey Medal 1968, 1970, 1973; club best and fairest 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973; premierships 1971, 1972. |
| Bob Skilton | 1996 | 237 | - | 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.
Player honours: Brownlow Medal 1959, 1963, 1968, 3rd 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 | 2007 | 227 | Melb 1939-41, 1948 | Melbourne's greatest coach and arguably one of the finest the game has seen. Led Melbourne through its most successful era in the 1950s and 1960s before being sacked in controversial circumstances in 1965.
Player honours: Melbourne Best and Fairest 1938; VFL Leading Goalkicker 1941; Melbourne Leading Goalkicker; 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941; Melbourne Captain: 1945-47. Coaching record: Fitzroy 1949-1951 (55 games, 30 wins, 23 losses, 2draws), Melbourne 1952-1967 (310 games, 198 wins, 107 losses, 5 draws), South Melbourne 1969-72 (87 games, 26 wins, 61 losses). AFL Team of the Century (coach) |
| Ian Stewart | 1997 | 205
|
St K 1966; Rich 1973 | A football genius. Out of the centre, his precision passing, evasive skills and pace made him unstoppable. One of four triple Brownlow Medallists.
Player honours: Brownlow Medals St K 1965, 1966, Rich 1971; St K best and fairest 1964, 1966; Rich best and fairest 1971; St K captain 1969; 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 | 1996 | 321 | 1954 | Known simply as 'Mr Football' or 'EJ', the champion Footscray player could play in any position on the ground. A favourite with football supporters whose legend continued to grow after he retired.
Player honours: 3rd 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). |
- - Legend status due to coaching, not playing.