A Bloods Legend, a new Hall of Fame member and nine players officially welcomed to the Sydney Swans family – these were just some of the highlights of the Sydney Swans 2017 Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. The evening, presented by Volkswagen, was held at The Star on Tuesday night.
New recruits including Oliver Florent and Will Hayward officially received their first red and white guernsey in front of their families and 650 guests, while for veteran Jarrad McVeigh, it was his 15th jumper presentation.
Champion key position player Peter Burns was elevated to Bloods Legend status, joining an esteemed group including Bob Skilton, Bob Pratt, Paul Kelly, Peter Bedford, J. Herbie Matthews and Ron Clegg.
Making his debut for South Melbourne in 1885, Burns helped the Swans to a premiership in his first year, going on to win further flags in 1888, 1889 and 1890.
A courageous, athletic and influential competitor at full back, in the ruck or as a midfielder, Burns enjoyed unrivalled popularity and would become the first player to play 300 VFA/VFL games – 125 of those with South Melbourne.
Meanwhile one of the Swans’ favourite sons, Jude Bolton, was given the ultimate reward for the impact he had in red and white by being inducted into the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame.
Born and bred in Melbourne, the Swans swooped on Bolton with pick eight in the 1998 Draft.
It didn’t take long for Bolton to make an impact, quickly displaying the courage, hardness and bravery that were associated with the Swans’ No. 24 throughout his 15-year career.
The ultimate team player, Bolton enjoyed premiership success in 2005 and 2012, and became the third fastest player in the game’s history to reach the 300-game milestone. He finished his career having played 325 glorious games in red and white.
Bolton wasn’t the only Swan whose contribution to Sydney was recognised, with all Swans premiership players awarded Life Membership and added to the Club’s Heritage List.
Representatives from Sydney’s premiership teams received a rousing applause as they were presented on stage with a certificate and pin.
Two other items were also added to the Sydney Swans Heritage List, including:
- Marn Grook at the SCG. The annual match at the SCG honours the Indigenous roots of Australian football and recognises the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to the game.
- Tony Lockett’s 1300th and 1360th goals. The greatest goal kicker of all time kicked his record-breaking 1300th goal against Collingwood in Round 10, 1999. He finished his career with 1360 goals to his name – a record that will be hard to be beat.
Following the Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, the Swans will now turn their attention to their opening match of the premiership season against Port Adelaide on Saturday week (March 25) at the SCG.
Summary:
Bloods Legend Peter Burns
Hall of Fame Inductee Jude Bolton
Heritage Listed Marn Grook at the SCG
Heritage Listed Tony Lockett’s 1300th and 1360th goals
Heritage Listed Premiership players
The following premiership players were inducted as Sydney Swans Life Members:
- Dave Barry
- Jim Cameron
- Bob Deas
- Horrie Drane
- Albert Franks
- Alf Gough
- Tom Grimshaw
- Alex Kerr
- Len Mortimer
- William Moxham
- Alan Pentland
- Charlie Ricketts
- Jack Scobie
- William Thomas
- Ted Wade
- Ernie Barber
- Bill Daly
- Jack Doherty
- Jack Howell
- Tammy Hynes
- Chris Laird
- Alan O’Donoghue
- Tom O’Halloran
- Arthur Rademacher
- Harold Robertson
- Gerald Ryan
- Phil Skehan
- Chip Turner
- Artie Wood
- Jack Austin
- Gilbert Beard
- Ossie Bertram
- Jack Bisset
- John Bowe
- Brighton Diggins
- Bill Faul
- Dinny Kelleher
- Jock MacKenzie
- Jim O’Meara
- Len Thomas
- Luke Ablett
- Jason Ball
- Paul Bevan
- Amon Buchanan
- Nick Davis
- Sean Dempster
- Darren Jolly
- Adam Schneider
- Paul Williams
- Craig Bird
- Lewis Jetta
- Alex Johnson
- Martin Mattner
- Mitch Morton
- Shane Mumford
- Luke Parker
- Mike Pyke
- Sam Reid
- Rhyce Shaw
