The Sydney Swans awarded five Life Memberships at this year’s Club Champion dinner, with defensive duo Ted Richards and Nick Malceski, outgoing Chairman Richard Colless, Development Coach George Stone and media personality Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs all recognised for their contribution to the club.

Richards and Malceski were granted the honour after the two reached the pre-requisite 150 club game milestone this season, with Richards playing his 150th game in round two against the Gold Coast Suns, while Malceski played his milestone game in the Swans’ semi final win over Carlton at ANZ Stadium.

It was fitting that the two premiership defenders earned Life Membership in the same season, with both players overcoming adversity throughout their AFL careers.

Richards, who was traded to the Swans from Essendon in 2006, spent two months in the reserves in 2010 and feared his AFL career was over before bouncing back to become an All-Australian defender in 2012, while Malceski overcame three knee reconstructions to become one of the club’s most consistent players and kicked two unforgettable goals in the 2012 Grand Final.

Speaking on the night, Richards described his move to Sydney as the best decision he had made in his football career.

“It might be very small (the Life Membership pin), but it’s incredibly important to me,” Richards said.

“I came here eight years ago from Essendon and I had five years at Essendon and grew up as a big Essendon fan and I came here and I didn't know where I belonged in the football world.

“I guess it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life coming here and to get Life Membership at this club it means I can come back here in one, two, ten, twenty, thirty years’ time I’m going to walk into the club with a lot of pride because I’m just so proud of the Swans.”

For Malceski, he expressed his thanks to the club for having faith in him as he battled through his three knee injuries.

“When you go through injuries it is a tough time and you go through ups and downs,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the boys for helping me through like they did and like I said it is tough, but I was lucky enough to get through it.

“I’d just like to thank the club for having the faith in me through my three knee recos and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here right now.

“It’s like a family at the Swans and I love everyone.”

In a special presentation, Swans Chairman Richard Colless was awarded Life Membership, in recognition of his two decades of services to the club.

Speaking at the event, Swans CEO Andrew Ireland said despite Colless’s lengthy tenure at the club, only in his final year would the outgoing Chairman accept Life Membership at the Swans.

“Richard, for all he is, has been involved and one thing he has never been willing to accept is Life Membership at the club,” Ireland said.

“He felt it was inappropriate to do so whilst he was the incumbent Chairman, but it gives me great pleasure to award Richard with Life Membership.”

Highly regarded coach George Stone was also honoured with Life Membership, following his contribution as an Assistant Coach (1998-2001), Opposition Analyst (2005-2011) and Development Coach (2012-2013) at the club.

Stone played a crucial role in the development of many young players at the Swans, was instrumental in the transition of former Swan Tadhg Kennelly from a Gaelic footballer to an AFL premiership player and also played a role in the club’s 2005 and 2012 premierships.

The award came as a surprise to Stone, who said he was truly honoured to have earned Life Membership at the Swans.

“That’s what you coach for to see young blokes achieve their goal,” he said.

“Nothing gives me, and I suppose any coach in football, to see young blokes play at the elite level and to finally make it, the joy of that is what it’s all about.

“There are a lot of guys in the back office and they all work really hard and I’m really delighted to win Life Membership.”

The final Life Membership was awarded to Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs, who has been a supporter of the red and white since his birth 60 years ago.

Stubbs has contributed significantly to the club by drawing on his considerable media skills by donating his time in hosting the Southern Swans functions, before match functions, after match functions, balls, lunches and countless Melbourne-based Swans functions.

In addition he also has taken every opportunity to talk about and promote the Swans on Melbourne radio.

Stubbs said there was nothing better than celebrating his love for the Swans on air following their most recent premiership victories.

“Some of my finest moments on air were before they dragged me off after 2005 and the husky voice in 2012,” he said.

“We’ve had a great run and it’s been an absolute privilege to be part of this club.

“It’s been a great privilege to support this football club and they make us all very proud indeed.”