There is no greater honour in the world of Australian Rules Football than to be deemed a Legend of the game in the AFL Hall of Fame.
None.
A quick perusal of the names that have been afforded this honour is like a who’s who of football – Ted Whitten, Jack Oatey, Malcolm Blight, Polly Farmer… just four names picked at random to give you the scope of the type of player/coach that has made their way from inductee into the Hall of Fame, to Legend Status.
Last year, Jason Dunstall became the 32nd Legend, and with a current crop of 314 members, the HoF’s criteria of having ten percent of the total number being elevated to Legend Status means we will not get another elevation for at least a couple of years.
And that gives us time to line up the contenders.
Let’s do that.
FOS WILLIAMS
Jock McHale is in an AFL Legend.
Norm Smith is an AFL Legend.
Fos Williams is not. Something is wrong, here.
How do they compare?
As a player and coach, Williams has the ridiculous number of 15 premierships with Port Adelaide. Okay, okay… I’ve doubled up on two of them, as he was player/coach in 1951 and 1954, but he also grabbed one with West Adelaide as a player, so let’s look at the others to see how 14 flags compares, shall we?
Norm Smith has ten VFL flags – four as a player and six as a coach, with no crossover.
Jock McHale has nine as a player and coach.
So, what’s the deal, here? Williams was part of a juggernaut Port Adelaide side that dominated South Australian footy. Not only was he a great player, he is arguably the greatest coach in Australian Rules Football history. He needs to made a legend of the game.
DOUG WADE
You know, there was a consensus, when Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th goal, that he would one day become a Legend of the AFL. An official legend, that is.
And yet, here we are, 29 years since Doug Wade was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and he is still waiting the elevation to Legend Status.
There are six men to have topped 1000 goals in the V/AFL. Three of them (Lockett, Coventry, Dunstall) are all at Legend Status, but Wade… nup. You barely hear his name brought up.
If Lance Franklin gets in before this bloke, it is a crime.
Why?
Wade’s 1057 goals came in 97 fewer games than Franklin’s 1066.
He is the most neglected of all the big goal kickers, and at 83 years of age, the AFL have really dragged their feet on this one.
KEN FARMER
Another South Australian, Farmer won four premierships as a player and coach, but it was his goal-kicking feats that most will point to as the reason for his elevation.
Farmer led the SANFL in goals for 11 seasons.
11 bloody years!
He finished his career with 1417 goals.In 1940, he kicked 23.6 in a single game (for the love of god, drop someone, or some three in front him!!!), and topped the ton 11 times in a row.
Called the ‘Bradman of Goal Kicking’, some would think his elevation would be a no-brainer. However, he sits in with the remainder of the 300+ players. Sadly, he may remain there.
GARY ABLETT SENIOR
Oh geez… here we go.
Prior to writing this, we had a chat amongst Mongrel writers about the next people to be elevated to Legend Status. Ablett Senior was one of the names mentioned, and one that drew the most heat, along with the next bloke.
Irrespective of when this occurs, it will draw intense scrutiny, given the events of Ablett’s life, post-football.
That said, I was more on the side of being able to separate the player from the person, and was of the belief that Ablett’s on-field achievements deserve recognition. Maybe I’m wrong on that… maybe I’m right.
Ablett kicked over 1000 goals, had mercurial skills, was a highlight reel for years, and was one of the biggest names in the game. His addition to the Hall of Fame was met with derision from many. Ablett did not attend the ceremony, citing depression at the time.
Given all that goes with his name, he is a long shot, irrespective of whether you think he deserves to go in, or not.
WAYNE CAREY
Another lightning rod, Carey, on his day, was the best player in the game. Some rate him as the best they’ve ever seen. Leigh Matthews has said he’s the best he’d seen.
However, events that led to his departure from North Melbourne, and the turbulent years following his retirement from the game, have tarnished his reputation in the eyes of many.
Me? I have never seen a player impose himself on a game like Carey did. He could turn a game with five or ten minutes of inspired football, and holds the record for most contested grabs in a game (ten). If contested mark records were kept earlier, he’d have at least equalled that mark, as well.
His on-field achievements absolutely deserve to be recognised, but the AFL is a PR-driven machine, and Carey’s actions off the field would likely cause the league to steer clear.
THE NEXT CROP
Note – you just be retired for five years to be inducted into the HoF. There is no criteria for elevation once you’re in.
GARY ABLETT JUNIOR
Like Carey, many younger fans label The Little Master as the best player they’ve seen.
Given a foot up the backside by his teammates, a young Ablett dedicated himself to being the best player he could be… and quickly become the best player in the league.
Two flags, two Brownlows, and a record five MVP awards, Gaz will be very hard to ignore. Amazingly, he will likely be elevated to Legend Status before his old man.
DUSTIN MARTIN
Three Norm Smith Medals is something that seemed unreachable. It may be that way for every other player from here on, but for Dusty… well, it was just three days in September.
A bull of a footballer, Martin is a bit of a recluse when it comes to the media, and might go down as the favourite son of the Richmond Football Club. Will he join Jack Dyer as a Legend of the game?
One day… yes.
LANCE FRANKLIN
And then there’s Buddy.
1000 goals in the modern era is ridiculous, but then again, Lance Franklin was a ridiculous player. Two incredible stints at Hawthorn and Sydney saw him play amazing football for both clubs, and entrench himself as the best forward since the halcyon days of the 1990s when Plugger, Dunstall, and Ablett graced the field.
And those still playing?
Where will Patrick Dangerfield rate?
Is Nat Fyfe a chance?
Bugger it – I am team Toby Greene!!
As for the verdict… I can’t go past Doug Wade and Fos Williams. Both have deserved the elevation for years but have been overlooked. The AFL may have some more shiny new toys to play with as people become eligible, but they should start with honouring those who have achieved so much.
Less shiny.
Less new.
Still great.
Get Doug Wade and Fos Williams in ASAP.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee – I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won’t use it to buy a doughnut… I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes… or Bet365, or any of them.
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