EFL 2018: Joel Galvin joins his father Gary as an Eastern Football League legend

BAYSWATER captain Joel Galvin has joined his father as an Eastern Football League legend after winning his third Wright Medal.

GARY Galvin was inducted as an Eastern Football League legend in 1982.

And son Joel followed in his father’s footsteps at Wednesday night’s Chandler Medal count.

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The famous Bayswater pair became the first father-son combination to receive legendary status in the EFL after Joel won his third Wright Medal as the Division 2 best and fairest.

It follows his 2012 and 2016 honours.

Joel Galvin shows off his third Wright Medal. Picture: Garry Sparke/Sporting Images

Gary was one of the first to congratulate his son, giving him a warm embrace before he stepped onto the stage.

Joel took out the second tier’s top individual honour after polling 24 votes, finishing two votes ahead of Doncaster East veteran Michael Steven.

While plaudits are often heaped on their football exploits, Joel reserved most praise for the support of his mother Tracie.

“She’s my No.1 supporter, I owe a lot to my mum as well,” Joel said.

“She’s one to talk to when things aren’t going great or when things are going good. Without a doubt she is the rock behind me — her and my girlfriend.

“She’s there every Saturday and most Thursday nights helping out wherever she can.”

Legendary status is reached by winning three senior competition best and fairest awards.

Gary was awarded the Wright Medal in 1980 and 1982, also winning the Chandler Medal as the Division 1 best and fairest in 1981.

Joel joked he was overtaking his father’s decorated CV.

Joel Galvin (right) with father Gary and brothers Mitch and Bryce after the 2016 premiership. Picture: Steve Tanner

He played his 200th game for Bayswater earlier this year. Gary played 199.

“I’ve never set myself out to be as good as him or to match his records but the more I play the more I’m catching him,” he said.

Gary was glowing with pride for his son’s achievement.

“I’m stoked, really stoked,” Gary said.

“I see what the kid does, I see what happens to him on the footy field and I see the way he goes about his football and the way he loves his club.

“I’m just so proud, he really works hard and I speak to umpires about him and he never whinges.

“He gets belted, he gets tagged, he doesn’t squeal and he just goes about playing footy.

“He’s not a thug, he doesn’t belt blokes, he just gets the hard ball and, as I said, I’m just proud of him.”

Joel Galvin celebrates the 2016 premiership. Picture: Steve Tanner

Joel said he was embarrassed to be among some of the game’s greatest names, including Ryan Mullett, Bernie Dinneen, Chris Annakis and his father.

“You look up the meaning of the word ‘legend’ and to think I’m classified as that in the EFL now is pretty surreal,” he said

“It’s a pretty special feeling, it hasn’t really sunk in yet and I’m sure it won’t for a while.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play with Bernie (Dinneen) ... to be in that calibre of players on that list; there is only 14 of us.

“There have been a lot of blokes play a lot of footy and to be one of 14 to have done it is pretty special.”

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