In the lead up to the 2017 Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner we take a look through the history books.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will take a retrospective look at our current Hall of Fame members and the items already on the Heritage List.
Hall of Fame
Craig Bolton
Former Sydney Swans co-captain Craig Bolton was inducted into the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame in 2014.
Bolton began his career with ACT club Eastlake, before being drafted to the Brisbane Lions with selection 33 in 1998. While injuries held Bolton back in his formative years, costing him senior game time at the Lions, the Swans moved on the defender and took him at pick three in the 2003 Pre-Season Draft.
The decision immediately proved positive, with Bolton establishing himself as a key member in the Swans’ defensive unit, missing only one game in his first seven seasons at the club. Bolton went on to earn All-Australian honours in 2006 and 2009, played an integral role in the 2005 premiership-winning season and was named co-captain from 2008 to 2010.
An Achilles injury suffered in 2010 eventually put an end to Bolton’s career, which saw him play 199 AFL games, including 170 in the red and white.
Craig Bolton
2003-2010
170 games
15 goals
All Australian 2006, 2009
2005 Premiership
Co-Captain 2008-2010
Craig Bolton upon his induction as a Hall of Fame Member in 2014.
Heritage List
30 Goals in Three Consecutive Weeks
Listing: 2014
The Sydney Swans’ big goal hauls of 1987 have been added to the club’s Heritage List.
In rounds 16 to 18, the Swans wrote their names into the history books when they booted over 30 goals in three successive matches.
On July 19, 1987, Sydney defeated West Coast 30-21 (201) to 10-11 (71) at the SCG. This included a second quarter in which the Swans kicked 12.4. Stevie Wright kicked eight goals, while fellow midfielder Barry Mitchell kicked three. Warwick Capper kicked five and Team of the Century wingman David Murphy booted four.
The Swans put on a show the following week at the SCG when the team defeated Essendon 36.20 (236) to 11.7 (73). This included a massive 13-goal last quarter for the Swans. Capper kicked six goals, Wright five and eventual Best and Fairest winner, Gerard Healy finished the match with four.
The Swans’ big score against the Bombers was also a historic moment for the club, with Sydney becoming the first team in League history to score over 200 points in consecutive games.
The following week the Swans defeated Richmond 31-12 (198) to 15-17 (107). Capper and Merv Neagle each kicked five goals, while Tony Morwood kicked four. Some familiar names were amongst the Swans’ best included Dennis Carroll, Rod Carter, Craig Holden and Morwood.
The Swans remain the only team in history to achieve the feat of kicking more than 30 goals in three consecutive matches, and given the nature of today’s game it seems unlikely it will happen again.
