ONLY 17 days remain until the biggest night on the Sydney Swans Event calendar - the second Swans’ Hall of Fame Dinner, presented by QBE - and we want to know who you think should be inducted.
In a grand celebration on July 18, 2009, a selection of the Club’s biggest names stretching from 1874 to the current era became the first 23 players inducted into the Swans’ Hall of Fame - with Bob Pratt, Bob Skilton and Paul Kelly inducted with Bloods Legend status.
Those inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 came from five eras:
Pre-1897 - Peter Burns
1897-1918 - Vic Belcher, Herb Howson, Bruce Sloss
1919-1945 - Bob Pratt (Legend), Roy Cazaly, Mark Tandy, Laurie Nash, J. Herbie Matthews, Jack Bisset
1946-1981 - Bill Williams, Freddie Goldsmith, Ron Clegg, Peter Bedford, John Rantall
1982 to present day - Barry Round, Mark Browning, Dennis Carroll, Gerard Healy, Tony Lockett, Greg Williams
On Saturday April 30 another crop of Swans greats will be inducted at a dinner to be held at the Bayside Grand Hall of the Sydney Convention Centre.
The landmark event will be the first Swans’ Hall of Fame dinner to be held in Sydney and the last of its kind, with all future inductees to be named as part of the annual Guernsey Presentation dinner.
The criteria for induction is broad - those chosen must have had a profoundly positive impact on the Swans football club at any time in its 137 year history, and they must be retired.
There is no minimum period of retirement so players who retired as recently as 2010 could in theory be inducted, but whoever they are, they must be able and prepared to attend the event on April 30.
For the selection committee, character, passion, leadership and courage were as important as any statistics, as "they invariably separate the true champion from the rest''.
Who do you think should join the illustrious list of inductees?
Who are your favourite players from the past 20 years who weren’t inducted in 2009?
Who are some of the old timers who should get their Hall of Fame moment in 2011?
One of the 2009 inductees will be elevated to Legend Status - who should get that honour and stand alongside Pratt, Skilton and Kelly?
Many of those who attended the inaugural Swans Hall of Fame dinner have described it as the best Swans function they’ve ever attended.
This will be a special night in the Club’s history. Make sure you’re in the audience to hear the next group of inductees take to the stage on April 30.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking here, or calling 02 9339 9123.
If you are from outside Sydney, Sydney Swans Travel are offering some exciting specials coinciding with the Hall of Fame and the game against Carlton on April 29.
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