Latest news with #GregPhillips
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Australian football is notably richer when it's open to everyone
The 30th Australian Football Hall of Fame was a reminder that there's more to the sport than the AFL. It was a reminder that the talent in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania was at various times every bit the equal of what was coming out of Victoria. Last night's inductees included a five-time All Australian, a self-described 'little fat kid from Colac', and a man considered the best ever Tasmanian footballer never to play on the mainland. They included a man who took more marks than anyone else in the history of VFL/AFL football, a giant raconteur from South Australia who reflected that 'football was simply something I did on a Saturday,' and a seven-time premiership player in the WAFL who later umpired five grand finals. A goalkicking machine from South Australia during the Depression years was also elevated to legend status. But last night's event did something very different to the preceding three decades – it inducted two AFLW players. Erin Phillips won two WNBA championships, a basketball world championship gold medal and represented Australia at two Olympics. But until just over a decade ago, the idea of playing Australian football professionally seemed fanciful. 'I never wanted to be a boy,' she said last night, 'I just wanted the opportunities they had and that was footy.' Her dad, Greg, a Hall of Famer himself, was a fine footballer for Port Adelaide and Collingwood. He had thighs like John Nicholls, the sort of legs that could prop up jetties. Last night he was a blubbering mess. 'I can't imagine what it would be like to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she can't play the game she loves any more,' his daughter said. 'Now she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame.' Daisy Pearce bashed down the same barriers. 'I'm a pretty determined bugger,' she said last night. She won 10 premierships and seven competition best and fairests at the local level, before becoming a key driver of the AFLW. There were dozens of Hall of Famers in the room last night but few of them finished their careers on such a high note. Her dad, Daryl, also her junior coach, suffered a stroke in recent years and missed her final game, a premiership. But he was in the room last night to see her inducted into the Hall of Fame. Football's women, a correspondent wrote in The Age in the 1970s, 'are mere appendages to the game, extras in an all-male saga, tolerated but not taken seriously'. That sentiment prevailed until not that long ago. In some corners of the internet and the industry more broadly, it still does. But more than anyone else, champion players like Phillips and Pearce proved the folly of this. They reminded men that this game they were brought up to assume was theirs is now open to the other 50.2% of the population, and that it's all the richer for it. Nearly three-quarters of a million girls and women now play Australian rules football. Pearce and Phillips, one suspects, would be pivotal figures for nearly all of them. Every inductee last night said a variation of the same thing. They looked around the room and they saw their childhood heroes. Garry Lyon had a poster of Tim Watson on his wall. Nick Riewoldt idolised Jason Dunstall. Phillips followed her dad everywhere, even to the premiership dais. 'To look around the room right now – these were my gods,' Pearce said. She and Phillips said they could never have imagined standing in front of a room such as this as fellow professional footballers, as fellow Hall of Fame members, and as equals. The Hawks have won their past seven matches at UTAS Stadium with their last loss coming against the Crows in 2023. Nick Riewoldt, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last night, was one of the great players of last few decades. Few made their direct opponent work harder or run further. Few deserved a premiership more. But few were so tortured by nerves and anxiety before games. He described it as like being on death row, awaiting execution. 'It was something to endure, not enjoy,' he said. He described it as a 'pit in your stomach feeling, fuelled by the fear of not performing perfectly and the judgment that came with it.' For 24 hours before a game, he would sweat, struggle to sleep and eat, pace the house, snap at everyone and generally be a nightmare to himself and all around him. He would always be the first to arrive at the ground, whereupon he would warm up with a routine akin to Rocky Balboa training in Russia. The minute the ball was bounced, he was fine, and it was his opponent's time to start sweating. The Melbourne captain backs May for 'showing care, his version of care', while speaking on Triple M radio, after the teammates' confrontation after a late turnover in the narrow loss to Collingwood. 'To borrow an infamous line from Will Smith, I think Melbourne should take our players' names out of their mouth. It's interesting, hearing the captain and coach speak specifically on Luke was really disappointing.' Fremantle chief executive, Simon Garlick, takes a swipe at Melbourne while speaking on SEN WA Mornings, after the Demons made not-so subtle overtures to their former key forward Luke Jackson. Any thoughts you want to share? Reply to this email or send your views to fromthepocket@ Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion Western Bulldogs (including as Footscray) are part of the three longest streaks for matches played against an opponent without meeting in a final. Which club do they share the record with? Answers in next week's newsletter, but if you think you know it, hit reply and let me know. Last week's answer: Which clubs have met in the most grand finals? Collingwood and Melbourne have played seven times with a premiership on the line. Congratulations to Michael Courtney, who was first to reply with the right answer. No team is better than Collingwood at adapting to the needs of the moment – and the ladder leaders keep on winning even if by the narrowest of margins against Melbourne. Reply to this email and drop me a line, or email fromthepocket@ Have a friend who might? Forward this to them, or tell them how to get it.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Erin Phillips' tearful revelation about family during emotional Hall of Fame nod
Female footy trailblazer Erin Phillips paid a heartfelt tribute to her family after becoming the first AFLW star to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall Of Fame on Tuesday night. In emotional scenes, Phillips emulated her famous father Greg after landing the prestigious honour, with Daisy Pearce joining the three-time Adelaide premiership player as the first former AFLW players to be inducted. The pair take their place in the illustrious group alongside footy pioneer Debbie Lee as the only female inductees. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt also joined the Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hero Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon. South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens were this year's historical inductees. While South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night's annual dinner in Melbourne. Phillips - who was a two-time AFLW Best and Fairest winner - was joined at the gala night by her wife and former WNBA star Tracy Gahan, along with their four children. But it was a tribute to her father and Port Adelaide great Greg - was inducted in 2020 - that really resonated with those in attendance. 'To my mum and dad, I couldn't have asked for better parents to let me be who I wanted to be ... Mum, you don't really ever get much credit ... I thank you and love you so much. 'To Dad... I can't imagine how hard it would've been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game that she loves anymore. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame. Thank you for teaching me a game that I loved, and even though you knew it wasn't going to take me anywhere at the time, you still taught me anyway.' The honour sees Erin and Greg become the first father-daughter selections, with Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr the father-son inductees. Phillips also went on to thank her wife Tracy, while hailing the influence of inaugural female inductee Lee, who entered the Hall of Fame in 2021. 'Debbie, you kicked down this door so others could walk through,' Phillips said. '(You're the) first female member of the Hall of Fame (and) I'm so proud to be by your side, and I can't wait to kick more doors down with you Deb.' The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year, meaning players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. And alongside Phillips, the other obvious choice was Melbourne AFLW premiership hero Pearce. Currently the coach of West Coast's AFLW side, Pearce was also a three-time best and fairest winner and three-time All-Australian and long regarded as the face of women's footy in Australia. Pearce famously returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. While Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner. She played in grand final wins for the Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction, before joining her famous father's club Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. Unbelievable speech !! Well deserved even teared up when she thanked her ol man 😢💪 — VB (@VbSmasher) June 10, 2025 A wonderful sportswoman who has deserved all her success and accolades. A beautiful heartfelt speech. Thank you. for sharing your career. — Gwol50 (@gwol50) June 10, 2025 with AAP
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce become first AFLW players inducted to hall of fame
Erin Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her father Greg as she joined him in the Australian Football Hall Of Fame. Phillips and Daisy Pearce are the first AFLW players to be inducted, joining trailblazer Debbie Lee as female inductees. South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night's annual dinner in Melbourne. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, whose induction was delayed because of his family move to the United States, joined the Hall of Fame, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hard nut Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon. South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, a key member of the club's most recent SANFL premiership in 1964, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens are this year's historical inductees. Darley's larrikin speech was one of the highlights of the evening, but Phillips' words to her father were particularly special. 'To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more,' she said. 'And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame.' Greg Phillips, a Port Adelaide great, was inducted in 2020, and he and Erin are the first father-daughter selections. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Pearce and Phillips ended their stellar playing careers at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. They were the two obvious players who would benefit first from the rule change. In her speech, Phillips also thanked the 'incredible women' who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. 'You kicked down this door so others could walk through,' she said. 'I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb.' Pearce's last AFLW game was the Melbourne 2022 grand final victory and she called it the best day of her life, even though her twin children Sylvie and Roy were in the room, hamming it up for the TV cameras. Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion 'It's controversial to say this, as a mother ... don't get me wrong, they're the best thing that's ever happened to me, but on a technicality, the day itself is not that good,' she said. 'Give me grand final day every day of the week.' Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Pearce and Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Pearce returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewolt went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. He said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag 'Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything,' he said.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘All I ever wanted': Erin Phillips leaves legendary dad in tears with AFL Hall of Fame speech
AFLW great Erin Phillips has given an emotional speech upon her induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, joining her father Greg in the prestigious group. The three-time Adelaide premiership player and two-time league Best and Fairest winner is one of the competition's all-time icons, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday night in Melbourne. Phillips became the second woman ever to be inducted, following inaugural female inductee Debbie Lee, with the pair quickly accompanied in the rare air by Melbourne great and West Coast head coach Daisy Pearce. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. As she took to the stage, Phillips reflected on her journey growing up as a football fanatic, desperately searching for her belonging in a sport that had long been off-limits to girls. 'I tried to fit in (with the boys playing), cut my hair short (and) had a really good 'mushroom' haircut as a young kid. (I) got mistaken for a boy constantly,' Phillips said with a smile. Watch Erin Phillips' speech and message to her dad in the video above 'I remember a game actually ... I ran out to centre-half forward, stood next to my opponent. I could see him scanning the field looking for something, and then he turns to me an goes: 'I heard you have a girl on this team, and I heard she's pretty good'. 'I looked at him, and I go: 'Yeah, you're standing next to her!' ... I gave him a hiding that game.' 'I never wanted to be a boy, I just wanted the opportunities that boys had — and that was footy. That was all I ever wanted.' Phillips' AFLW career began with Adelaide, where she quickly established herself as one of the competition's first true stars, before making a heartfelt move to Port Adelaide in the second half of 2022 for their inaugural season; the same club her father had played at during his own successful career. Greg played 305 games for Port Adelaide's SANFL team between 1976 and 1993, either side of an 86-game stint at Collingwood over a four-year period. He also represented South Australia a whopping 20 times in his playing days, and was inducted into the same Hall of Fame five years before Erin back in 2020. 'Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would even get the chance to play footy (for Port Adelaide) ... it was a really difficult choice,' Erin continued. 'I had really close relationships at the Crows (but) I just knew that if I didn't take the opportunity to live out a life-long dream to play for Port Adelaide, that it would haunt me for the rest of my life. 'To my mum and dad, I couldn't have asked for better parents to let me be who I wanted to be ... Mum, you don't really ever get much credit ... I thank you and love you so much. 'To Dad... (pause) I can't imagine how hard it would've been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game that she loves anymore. And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame. 'Thank you for teaching me a game that I loved, and even though you knew it wasn't going to take me anywhere at the time, you still taught me anyway.' Phillips went on to thank her wife Tracy Gahan, who herself is a retired WNBA player, before recognising Debbie Lee — the inaugural woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2021. 'Debbie, you kicked down this door so others could walk through,' Phillips ended by saying. '(You're the) first female member of the Hall of Fame (and) I'm so proud to be by your side, and I can't wait to kick more doors down with you Deb.'
ABC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Erin Phillips's Australian Football Hall of Fame speech leaves dad in tears, as Daisy Pearce also inducted
Erin Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her father, Greg, as she joined him in the Australian Football Hall Of Fame. Phillips and Daisy Pearce became the first AFLW players to be inducted, joining trailblazer Debbie Lee as female inductees. South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night's annual dinner in Melbourne. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, whose induction was delayed because of his family move to the United States, joined the Hall of Fame, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hard nut Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon. South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, a key member of the club's most recent SANFL premiership in 1964, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham, and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens were this year's historical inductees. Darley's larrikin speech was one of the highlights of the evening, but Phillips's words to her father were particularly special. "To dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," she said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." Greg Phillips, a Port Adelaide great, was inducted in 2020, and he and Erin are the first father-daughter selections. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr, and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Pearce and Phillips ended their stellar playing careers at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. They were the two obvious players who would benefit first from the rule change. In her speech, Phillips also thanked the "incredible women" who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. "You kicked down this door so others could walk through," she said. "I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb." Pearce's last AFLW game was the Melbourne 2022 grand final victory and she called it the best day of her life, even though her twin children Sylvie and Roy were in the room, hamming it up for the TV cameras. "It's controversial to say this, as a mother … don't get me wrong, they're the best thing that's ever happened to me, but on a technicality, the day itself is not that good," she said. "Give me grand final day every day of the week." Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Pearce and Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Pearce returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewoldt went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. He said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag "Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything," he said. AAP
