AFL: Sydney Swans induct four club greats into Hall of Fame as eight others become champions
Some of the greatest footballers in Sydney’s and South Melbourne’s history were honoured at the Swans’ Hall of Fame function.
AFL
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Hard-as-nails midfielder Daryn Cresswell joined Sydney Swans royalty on Thursday night when he was one of four greats inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in a function at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt.
Joining Cresswell in receiving the honour were premiership stars Peter Reville, Arthur “Poddy” Hiskins and Tom Bushell, who were among South Melbourne’s best footballers in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
On a special night for the club, Tony Lockett, Roy Cazaly, Laurie Nash, Barry Round, Greg Williams, Gerard Healy, Michael O’Loughlin and Brett Kirk were also elevated to Champion status.
The Swans introduced the new status to recognise those with outstanding achievements who made significant contributions to the club but may not qualify for Legend status.
They also made three additions to the club’s heritage list, headlined by superstar forward Lance Franklin’s incredible feat in kicking his 1000th career goal in round 2 this season.
Franklin’s extended an extraordinary run of great key forwards in the red and white, with his goalkicking heroics prompting thousands of fans to sprint onto the SCG surface to celebrate with him.
Also recognised was Jared Crouch’s effort to play 194 consecutive games from his 1998 debut, while the club’s best VFA team was revealed.
The squad comprised players who helped South Melbourne finish in the top four for a remarkable 13-straight seasons from 1879, including winning five premierships.
Cresswell, who made the 1997 All-Australian team and was the 1994 Bob Skilton medallist as Sydney’s club champion, played 244 games and kicked 208 goals in a stellar career.
He was already named in the club’s team of the century and was a key member of the losing 1996 grand final side.
Originally from Tasmania, Cresswell had many match-winning moments but will also be forever remembered for belting his badly dislocated left knee back into place during his 100th game 25 years ago.
The now-51-year-old famously played the next week despite the injury.
“The ground was shifting, so I was wearing long stops, then I went to change direction and bang ... trouble,” Cresswell said many years later.
“My foot planted and stuck, but my leg turned and my kneecap popped out ... It was pretty painful. I gave it a whack and nothing happened, then I whacked it hard four or five times and it popped back in.”
Reville kicked 207 goals in 156 games as a brilliant half-forward who was one of the best players afield in the 1933 flag, alongside legendary forwards Bob Pratt and Nash.
Hiskins, whose career was interrupted while serving in World War I, was an integral member of the 1909 premiership team among 185 appearances, including being captain-coach in the 1920 season.
Bushell packed five premierships into his 73 games from 1881-1892 and was the club’s leading goalkicker twice as one of the finest forwards in his time.
CHAMPIONS ELEVATIONS
Roy Cazaly
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2009
99 games (1921-24 / 1926-27)
Captain-coach 1922
Club champion 1926
Laurie Nash
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2009
99 games (1933-37 / 1945)
Premiership 1933
Swans Team of the Century
Barry Round
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2009
193 games (1976-85)
Captain 1980-84
Swans Team of the Century
Brownlow Medal 1981
Tony Lockett
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2009
98 games (1995-99/2002)
Club champion 1995
462 Goals (leading goalkicker 1995-99)
Coleman Medal 1996, 1998
Swans Team of the Century
Greg Williams
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2009
107 games (1986-1991)
Brownlow Medal 1986
Swans Team of the Century
Gerard Healy
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2009
81 games (1986-1990)
Club champion 1986, 1987, 1988
Brownlow Medal 1988
Swans Team of the Century
Michael O’Loughlin
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2011
303 games (1995-2009)
521 goals (leading goalkicker 2000-2001)
Club champion 1998
Premiership 2005
Brett Kirk
Swans Hall of Fame inductee 2011
241 games (1999-2010)
Club champion 2005, 2007
Co-captain 2006-2010
Originally published as AFL: Sydney Swans induct four club greats into Hall of Fame as eight others become champions
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