The Sydney Swans are thrilled to announce that Premiership coach Paul Roos has been elevated to Bloods Champion and 2012 Premiership players Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith, Heath Grundy and Kieren Jack have been inducted into the Swans Hall of Fame.
The special event was held on Thursday night at Sydney’s W Hotel and comes in the club’s 150th year.
Paul Roos played 356 VFL/AFL games in total for Fitzroy (269 games) and the Sydney Swans (87 games) and coached the club from 2002-2010, during which time he led the Swans to the drought-breaking 2005 Premiership, proudly declaring “Here it is!”.
Jarrad McVeigh was drafted to the Swans as pick 5 in the 2002 draft and went onto play 325 games including the 2012 Premiership, where he held the cup aloft as co-captain. McVeigh was named All-Australian in 2013 and Sydney Swans Club Champion in 2008 and 2013.
Nick Smith was known for his resilience and tenacity in his 211 games for the Sydney Swans. The 2012 Premiership player and 2014 All Australian was initially taken in the rookie draft but grew to become one of the most popular members of the Swans team.
Heath Grundy was drafted from Adelaide in 2005 and went on to be one of the most important key defenders in Swans history. He played 256 games in the red and white, including the 2012 Premiership, and formed a great defensive group alongside the likes of Ted Richards and Martin Mattner.
Kieren Jack played 256 AFL games after initially being taken in the 2005 rookie draft. The left footer was co-captain of the club from 2013-2016, was named Sydney Swans Club Champion in 2010, and played a pivotal role in the 2012 Premiership success.
Seven current and former staff members were also celebrated on the night by being awarded Life Membership for their service to the club. They include former coach Rodney Eade, Recruitment and List Strategy Manager Kinnear Beatson, Acting Executive GM of AFLW Amanda Turner, Executive GM of Consumer and Product Natalie Fagg, Membership Operations Manager Anita Murphy, former Director Robert Pascoe and former Director Bill McCartney.
Meanwhile former player David Murphy was presented with the John Yates Award for his contribution to developing the game of AFL in NSW.
Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley congratulated those who were honoured at the Swans Hall of Fame event.
“Paul Roos is a giant of the game and a fitting person to be elevated as a Bloods Champion in our 150th year,” Harley said.
“He was a fantastic player in his own right and is adored by our members and fans for the role he played as senior coach, highlighted by the 2005 Premiership.
“I also congratulate Jarrad, Nick, Heath and Kieren for being inducted to the Swans Hall of Fame. They have all been wonderful servants of this football club and they have each have left a great legacy.
“All four should be extremely proud of what they achieved as footballers, but more importantly, they are wonderful people who continue to contribute to our club.
“Finally, I would like to thank our Life Members and David Murphy for their service to our club and to the game – we are incredibly fortunate to have them as part of our Swans family.”
Meanwhile, three items were added to the Swans Heritage List. They include the Sydney Swans new home at the iconic Royal Hall of Industries, the Basil Sellers Richard Colless Centre, the club’s first AFLW team which joined the competition in 2022, and the club’s largest ever home-and-away crowd when 72,393 people turned out in Round 21, 2003 to watch the Swans take on Collingwood at what was then called Stadium Australia.
