At least two of the AFL modern greats must miss out on Hall Of Fame selection when this year’s inductions are announced on Thursday night.
James Hird, Nathan Buckley, Robert Harvey, Mark Ricciuto, Glenn Archer and Chris Grant all retired in 2007, while Michael Voss bowed out a year earlier.
Under Hall Of Fame criteria, they became eligible for selection three years after they stopped playing.
Last week, Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy was seen recording a video tribute to Hird.
Sheedy, already in the Hall of Fame, was Hird’s only coach during their outstanding careers at Essendon.
Hird and his six peers are surely certain inductees within the next few years.
But changes to the Hall Of Fame voting criteria last year means there can be a maximum of six inductees at a time.
Also, this year one of the inductees has to be a former umpire, football administrator or media person.
The inductions of Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Snr means there will not be the controversy that has dogged the last few annual Hall Of Fame ceremonies.
The character provision in the selection criteria meant Ablett and Carey had to wait before they were picked.
There was also last year’s drama over former Collingwood captain Lou Richards, with the Magpies trying unsuccessfully to elevate him to official legend status.
That prompted the AFL to review their selection criteria and confirm that Richards’ famous media career would not count towards him possibly becoming a legend.
There will be no official legend named this year, again because of selection rules.
There are 23 legends and 233 Hall Of Fame members – under the criteria, only 10 per cent of the members can have legend status.
Hird, Voss, Buckley and Harvey are all eligible to be inducted as players, even though they now coach at the clubs where they forged their brilliant careers.
Hird captained Essendon and played 253 games for the club, sharing the 1996 Brownlow Medal with Voss.
He took over as the Bombers’ senior coach this year.
Voss has coached Brisbane since 2009 after playing 289 games for the Lions, also captaining their 2001-03 premiership teams.
After 20 games in 1993 with Brisbane, Buckley became one of Collingwood’s most famous players with 260 games for the Magpies.
He shared the 2003 Brownlow with Ricciuto and Sydney’s Adam Goodes.
Buckley is now an assistant at Collingwood and will take over from Mick Malthouse next year as senior coach.
Harvey won the 1997-98 Brownlows in a 383-game career at St Kilda, where he holds the club games record and is now an assistant coach.
Ricciuto played 312 games for Adelaide, while Grant had a 341-game career at the Western Bulldogs.
Archer, one of the toughest players in the game’s history, played 311 games for North Melbourne and was named their Shinboner of the century.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I'm not a big fan of Buckley, but he did win the Norm Smith in 2002. "Buckley should have to wait while someone like Abblett, Kerry or Lockett were elevated to a Legend. I assume you mean Carrey. Anyway, Ablett and Lockett were no better finals performers than Buckley. Ablett only performed well in one GF, while Lockett was only ever in one GF (in which he kicked 6 goals.) So why award Ablett and Lockett for the same thing you want to penalise Buckley for? "Placing Buckley on the same shelf as Voss, Hird and Ricciutto is a massive mistake and an insult to the all the past players waiting to become Legends." Buckley wasn't named a Legend, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. No Legend was named this year.
Dave
Guest
Voss, Hird, Buckley and Ricciutto are all worthy of selection but one of them did not rise when needed to take there team to a Flag, not once but twice. Bias Vic media / selectors at work again with the sympathy vote, Buckley should have to wait while someone like Abblett, Kerry or Lockett were elevated to a Legend. Placing Buckley on the same shelf as Voss, Hird and Ricciutto is a massive mistake and an insult to the all the past players waiting to become Legends.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
A few quick thoughts from me: 1)James Hird- completely justified. One of the greatest players of all time, he epitomised both brilliance and hard work. If he hadn't been inducted, it would have been a travesty. 2)Michael Voss- Another non-surprise. Perhaps the best non-Victorian club representative of his generation, he was ferocious and he was a winner. I also love it that he was inducted on the same night as Hird. Voss's and Hird's careers were almost identical, so it's fitting that they receive the game's highest individual honor on the same night. 3)Nathan Buckley- I can't say I'm particularly surprised. While I'm not as enamored with him as others are, and I probably would have had him wait a year, I do respect him. He was a fantastic competitor, incredibly consistent, and he probably did more to keep Collingwood relevant during his career than anyone else. He's also an example of why IMO a premiership is the most irrelevant measuring stick of greatness in football. Even if Collingwood had won a flag, perhaps in 2002, Buckley's greatness wouldn't IMO have been increased in any way. Which isn't to say that he wasn't great. Rather, I think he would have been worthy of the same amount of respect as he is now. 4)Mark Ricciutto- A pleasant (relative) surprise. Roo was no certainty, however I am delighted that he was inducted as he was truly one of the greatest players of all time. He tended to be overlooked a little, perhaps because he played for a non-Victorian side and because he was never Adelaide's most brilliant player (as opposed to their best). Still, I think his induction is as deserved as anyone else's last night, for he was awesomely consistent, could play anywhere, was a match winner, and was truly among the best and most dependable players of his generation. 5)Horrie Gorringe- I can't comment as I've never heard of him. I think it is great that the Hall is recognizing Tasmanian football. Still, if I were to be honest, I'm disappointed that the great Fred Fanning has been snubbed yet again. 6)Tony Charlton- the name sounds familiar. That's all I can say. My congratulations to all six inductees! :D
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Run through of all six indcutees from tonight: http://www.contestedfooty.com/2011/06/2011-afl-hall-of-fame/
The Cattery
Roar Guru
The four modern era footballers inducted: James Hird, Michael Voss, Nathan Buckley and Mark Ricciutto.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Nathan Buckley the 4th inductee for the night.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
Both great stories, never heard of Horrie Gorringe, who lived to a ripe old age, i hope they picked his brains before he passed, as he was off the age where he would have known first hand the pioneers of Tasmanian football ..... who they were, where they came from, what clubs they actually started.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Interview with Tony Charlton, newest and 9th broadcaster to be inducted to the Australian Football Hall of Fame: http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=115900&utm_medium=RSS
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Expose on Horrie Gorringe, Tassie footy legend: http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=115904&utm_medium=RSS
The Cattery
Roar Guru
INductiees so far: Tony Charlton, broadcaster Horrie Gorringe, Tassie footy legend (is there a Gorringe on the Suns list?) Michael Voss, current Brisbane coach, played 289 games for Brisbane (Bears/Lions), 6-time All-Aust (capt twice) & Brownlow Medalist in 1996 with James Hird, captained the premiership hatrick from 2001 to 2003
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Sorry amazon - I don't know enough about it to be honest. On Hird, buckley and Voss, they were discussing it on League teams, and corssed to Sarah Jones, and it looks like there's a limited number that get inducted in one hit - not sure what that number is, but it sounded like all three won't get up at once. She invented a new word tonight, talked about the players "enthrilling" us.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
If Harvey has been nominated, them I am completely befuddled. He retired in 2008, so he shouldn't be eligible. I can't understand why he has been nominated. Agree about Hird, Buckley & Voss.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Correct - it's the Australian Football Hall of Fame - it's open to nominees from other Australian football leagues. On Harvey, just heard on ABC that he has been nominated. Hird, Buckley and Voss likely to get the nods.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
A couple of mistakes. Harvey actually retired in 2008, so he's not eligible. Voss did retire in 2006, however because he was still on the list in 2007 (for salary cap purposes), this may be considered his first year of eligibility. if he had been eligible last year, he would have been inducted. Also, in regards to the headline, it's the Australian Football Hall of Fame, not the AFL Hall Of Fame.