Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire given AFL life membership

Two of the biggest names in the AFL have been officially recognised for their service to the game.

Eddie McGuire has been given AFL life membership . (Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images)

After spending more than 20 years as Collingwood president and most of his working life covering the game, Eddie McGuire has been awarded life membership of the AFL.

McGuire and legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney joined a host of long-serving players, including Richmond’s triple-premiership captain Trent Cotchin, on being inducted as life members.

Despite not playing the game, both McGuire and McAvaney were included under the category of “Special Services to the Game” for decades-long careers devoted to the AFL.

McGuire’s achievements in the game go beyond his work as Collingwood president, a position he assumed in 1998 and only relinquished in 2021, including his work as a journalist and then commentator.

Eddie McGuire (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

But his efforts at the Magpies helped grow the club into an Australian sporting powerhouse.

He oversaw the move from its suburban home at Victoria Park to the MCG in 1999 and the continued development of training facilities at Olympic Park.

Collingwood also now has eight teams – including men’s and women’s football teams, a netball team, and wheelchair and community football teams.

McAvaney, who began one of the greatest commentary careers in Australian sport in 1978 in Adelaide, called more than 1000 AFL games, including 20 grand finals.

McGuire and McAvaney joined five players who qualified for life membership having played 300 games.

Collingwood premiership player Steele Sidebottom, West Coast great Josh Kennedy, North Melbourne best and fairest Todd Goldstein and former Essendon, Port and St Kilda ruckman Paddy Ryder are all now AFL life members.

Former Victorian captain and long-serving administrator Lisa Hardeman was also inducted under the “special services” category.

The new life members will be welcomed and honoured at the AFL season launch in March.

Legendary caller Bruce McAvaney (The Australian/ Morgan Sette)

NEW AFL LIFE MEMBERS

Trent Cotchin - 287 premiership games and 15 pre-season games played for Richmond.

Todd Goldstein - 295 premiership games and 19 pre-season games played for North Melbourne

Paddy Ryder - 281 premiership games and 26 pre-season games played for Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda

Josh J. Kennedy - 293 premiership games and 20 pre-season games played for the West Coast Eagles and Carlton

Steele Sidebottom - 289 premiership games and 25 pre-season games for Collingwood

Eddie McGuire

Bruce McAvaney

Lisa Hardeman