Latest news with #SandoverMedal
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
West Coast Eagles coach Daisy Pearce inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame
West Coast coach and AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Pearce became the third woman to be honoured behind pioneer Debbie Lee in 2021 and fellow 2025 inductee Erin Phillips in a ceremony on Tuesday night. The 37-year-old, a premiership captain at Melbourne, three-time best and fairest winner and three-time All-Australian, is considered one of the most influential and respected figures in the industry. 'It's an incredible honour, I can't quiet believe it to be honest,' Pearce said the honour. 'As a young, country girl who loved footy more than anything and thought there was no option to play professionally, a moment like this never seemed possible. 'I can't believe the growth of women's footy, I'm so proud to have played a small part and hope it continues to go from strength to strength. 'Congratulations also to Erin and of course to Debbie, who was a mentor of mine, and huge thank you to the AFL, my family and all those who have supported me.' Alongside her role as Eagles coach, Pearce also provides insightful and expert commentary in her role with Seven. West Coast head of football Michelle Cowan said Pearce had helped shape the women's game. 'She's not only been a part of the AFLW story, but the broader AFL landscape as a captain, a commentator and now our coach. Her impact runs deep,' Cowan said. 'We are so proud to have Daisy at the West Coast Eagles and to have her leading our AFLW team. 'A huge congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition, her legacy is inspiring to so many.' Pearce and Phillips were among eight people inducted on Tuesday night, while South Australian football icon Ken Farmer was elevated to Legend status. Phillips, a former Adelaide and Port Adelaide superstar in the AFLW, joins her dad Greg in the Hall of Fame, the first father-daughter combination to be inducted. '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.' St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt and Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge, both former No.1 picks and a part of the Seven line-up, were also inducted alongside Melbourne great Garry Lyon. East Perth legend George Owens, who won the WAFL's Sandover Medal in 1925, was posthumously honoured. He passed away in 1986, with his grandson Terry accepting his certificate on his behalf. South Adelaide legend Peter Darley and Tasmanian footballing great John Leedman were also added.
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles coach and AFLW icon Pearce inducted into Hall of Fame
West Coast coach and AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Pearce became the third woman to be honoured behind pioneer Debbie Lee in 2021 and fellow 2025 inductee Erin Phillips in a ceremony on Tuesday night. The 37-year-old, a premiership captain at Melbourne, three-time best and fairest winner and three-time All-Australian, is considered one of the most influential and respected figures in the industry. 'It's an incredible honour, I can't quiet believe it to be honest,' Pearce said the honour. 'As a young, country girl who loved footy more than anything and thought there was no option to play professionally, a moment like this never seemed possible. 'I can't believe the growth of women's footy, I'm so proud to have played a small part and hope it continues to go from strength to strength. 'Congratulations also to Erin and of course to Debbie, who was a mentor of mine, and huge thank you to the AFL, my family and all those who have supported me.' Daisy Pearce, Hall of Fame Inductee accepts their certificate from Richard Goyder, Chairman of the AFL. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Photos Alongside her role as Eagles coach, Pearce also provides insightful and expert commentary in her role with Seven. West Coast head of football Michelle Cowan said Pearce had helped shape the women's game. 'She's not only been a part of the AFLW story, but the broader AFL landscape as a captain, a commentator and now our coach. Her impact runs deep,' Cowan said. 'We are so proud to have Daisy at the West Coast Eagles and to have her leading our AFLW team. 'A huge congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition, her legacy is inspiring to so many.' Pearce and Phillips were among eight people inducted on Tuesday night, while South Australian football icon Ken Farmer was elevated to Legend status. Phillips, a former Adelaide and Port Adelaide superstar in the AFLW, joins her dad Greg in the Hall of Fame, the first father-daughter combination to be inducted. Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Photos '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.' St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt and Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge, both former No.1 picks and a part of the Seven line-up, were also inducted alongside Melbourne great Garry Lyon. East Perth legend George Owens, who won the WAFL's Sandover Medal in 1925, was posthumously honoured. He passed away in 1986, with his grandson Terry accepting his certificate on his behalf. South Adelaide legend Peter Darley and Tasmanian footballing great John Leedman were also added.
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Footy hall of fame has first father-daughter members
Erin Phillips has become only the second woman inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, while also completing its first father-daughter combination. The Adelaide and Port Adelaide star was a marquee name when the AFLW started in 2017 and she joins women's pioneer Debbie Lee, who was inducted four years ago. Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her dad Greg, and Lee, who were at Tuesday's annual induction dinner in Melbourne, in her acceptance speech. "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." Phillips 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." Phillips ended her stellar playing career 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 and she was an obvious candidate. Her father, Port Adelaide great Greg, was inducted in 2020. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. 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 Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Phillips, a former WNBA and Australian basketballer, immediately established herself as one of the AFLW's elite players. Also on Tuesday night, South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt joined Phillips as inductees. 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 holds St Kilda's record for the most games as captain, with 221 of his 336 matches. His induction was delayed because his family spent time in the United States. The key forward was a five-time All Australian who went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. Riewoldt 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. Seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens was this year's first historical inductee. Apart from his swathe of premierships at East Perth and the 1925 Sandover Medal, Owens also umpired five WAFL grand finals.
West Australian
16 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Footy hall of fame has first father-daughter members
Erin Phillips has become only the second woman inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, while also completing its first father-daughter combination. The Adelaide and Port Adelaide star was a marquee name when the AFLW started in 2017 and she joins women's pioneer Debbie Lee, who was inducted four years ago. Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her dad Greg, and Lee, who were at Tuesday's annual induction dinner in Melbourne, in her acceptance speech. "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." Phillips 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." Phillips ended her stellar playing career 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 and she was an obvious candidate. Her father, Port Adelaide great Greg, was inducted in 2020. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. 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 Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Phillips, a former WNBA and Australian basketballer, immediately established herself as one of the AFLW's elite players. Also on Tuesday night, South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt joined Phillips as inductees. 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 holds St Kilda's record for the most games as captain, with 221 of his 336 matches. His induction was delayed because his family spent time in the United States. The key forward was a five-time All Australian who went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. Riewoldt 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. Seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens was this year's first historical inductee. Apart from his swathe of premierships at East Perth and the 1925 Sandover Medal, Owens also umpired five WAFL grand finals.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy legend Andrew Krakouer is mourned by teammates and loved ones after his tragic death aged just 42
Hundreds have gathered to mourn and farewell AFL legend Andrew Krakouer who died of a suspected heart attack in Perth last month at the age of 42. Born in Melbourne, he racked up 102 games for Richmond from 2001 to 2007 before a jail term interrupted his AFL career and ended up changing his life for the better. Krakouer was sentenced to at least 16 months in jail for a serious assault in 2006, with his younger brother also imprisoned over his role in the attack. However, he fought his way back into the AFL after his release on parole in 2009, going on to rack up 35 games with Collingwood from 2011 to 2013. Once his first-grade career was over, he moved into construction and became a TV host and public speaker who specialised in sharing the lessons he'd learned during his rollercoaster career. A funeral service, held at the spiritual home of Krahouer's WAFL premiership with Swan Districts, brought together former teammates, family and friends. Among the many mourners present was former Pies teammate Héritier Lumumba who remembered Krakouer as an 'incredible human being'. 'He moved like he just had rhythm all the time, he always was always on beat, he was graceful and had the ability to move clean under pressure, but it also showed up in how he navigated life as well,' Lumumba said. 'He was loyal to his people and just wanted to do the best and get the most out of himself in life, whether it was in the media, whether in the community, he was a man that met every challenge head on. 'We all know the legendary bloodline that Krakouer came from and you know the brilliance that the family has given to the football world, inspiring so many is something that Andrew carried forward from his uncle and his dad. 'He did things on the field that had never been seen before, and inspired a whole new, different way of playing the game of football. 'He didn't stand in that shadow, he came in, and he added to that legacy, he did things that were just remarkable. 'I know how many people he inspired doing it, but it wasn't just what he did on the field, moreso it was what he did off the field. 'His spirit will live on his work, his impact will continue to inspire people for generations to come.' Krakouer's Swan Districts coach Brian Dawson explained that there were 'simply not enough superlatives to describe his 2010 season or his grand final display'. 'He won just about all there was to win in 2010. He played in the State team, he won the Sandover Medal with 44 votes, eight clear of the runner-up, he won the Swan Medal for the cub fairest and best,' Dawson explained to mourners. 'He won the club award for best player in the finals, he won the Simpson Medal in the grand final with the maximum 15 votes, and a premiership medal to top it off, where he absolutely dominated the game, with 41 possessions, four goals and most importantly the winning goal with 28 seconds left to play. 'His grand final display ranks as probably the finest and most impactful individual game ever played in the WAFL.' In 2022, Krakouer signed on to host the SBS TV show Yokayi Footy, and last year he released a children's book aimed at helping kids whose parents have been jailed. 'My Dad's Gone Away' was inspired by Krakouer's experiences as a prisoner - and by the jailing of his father Jim when he was just 13 years old. His Yokayi co-host, Megan Waters, said Krakouer's story was simply 'remarkable.' 'The reality of moving forward in a world that Andy no longer physically exists in is one of the most gut-wrenching things I have ever faced,' she said. 'The way he moved through the world made people feel seen as it was important for him to do what he could uplift our community and lead by example. 'I am so grateful to have learned from him, who I become moving forward and the values that I carry will be a testament to the mark that he's left.'
