Simon Wiggins headlines next batch of Tasmanian football Hall of Fame inductees

The next batch of inductees to Tasmanian football’s Hall of Fame have been revealed with a former Carlton defender headlining the list. See the new inductees.

Simon Wiggins celebrates a goal for Carlton against the Western Bulldogs.

The next batch of Tasmanian football Hall of Fame inductees has been announced with five fresh faces set to be recognised later this month.

Headlined by former Carlton defender Simon Wiggins, the list includes East Devonport legend Max Hardacre, North Launceston goalkicker Phil Stephens, Launceston premiership player Robert Dutton and journeyman Rickie Dolliver.

Tasmanian Simon Wiggins played over 100 games for Carlton after being drafted in 2000 from Glenorchy.

Wiggins, who was drafted to the Blues with pick 15 in the 2000 AFL Draft, was an outstanding junior for Glenorchy before replicating that same form for well over a decade at Princes Park.

A member of Carlton’s pre-season premiership teams in 2005 and 2007, he was also a two-time winner of the AFL’s Robert Rose Award which recognised the competition’s most courageous player.

“It’s been a bit of a ride, a journey these last few weeks when I’ve thought about how long it’s taken me to get to this point,” Wiggins told 7 Tasmania News.

Wiggins finished his time in the AFL in 2010 following 116 games and 36 goals with the former Tassie Mariners captain currently serving as coaching co-ordinator with Ascot Vale JFC in Melbourne while also working with the AFL Players Association in establishing post-career employment pathways for former players.

While Wiggins’ may be the most recognisable name of the new inductees, all four of his fellow inductees enjoyed stellar careers both in Tasmania and interstate.

Max Hardacre played football in Tasmania for 36 years. Picture: Supplied.

Hardacre played over 600 senior games across his remarkable 36 year career for Cudleigh, East Devonport, Spreyton and Wesley Vale where he also spent time as a playing coach between 1938 and 1973.

After making his senior debut at just 13, he finished his career with seven premierships before retiring at age 48.

He passed away at 71 in 1996.

Stephens spent the majority of his career at North Launceston before he attracted interest from St. Kilda in the VFL.

He played six games for the Saints in 1959 before a knee injury ruined his year and he headed to SANFL club Norwood before returning to Tasmania in 1962 and eventually passing away in 2015.

Dutton also gained VFL interest and played one senior game for both Carlton and Hawthorn in the early 1980s.

Rickie Dolliver (front) will be one of 11 inductees next Friday night. Picture: Supplied.

A multiple time best and fairest winner at Launceston and Clarence, Dutton finished his career with three premierships and was named on the bench in Launceston’s team of the century in 2000.

A legend of the Hobart Football Club, Dolliver also played senior football at Burnie, Sandy Bay and South Launceston and was a member of the Tigers 1980 TFL premiership side.

He represented Tasmania against Geelong in 1979 and has enjoyed success as a coach in Canberra following his retirement in 1990.

The quintet join the previously announced trio of Mitch Robinson, Charles Eady and W.H. “Billy” Cundy, along with the Penguin Football Club, with three more names still to be revealed ahead of next Friday’s gala dinner.

Three current members will also be elevated to legend status while one will be named an icon with a memorable game and legendary team also set to be honoured.