Tom Hafey was born a Tiger, and yesterday died a Tiger, aged 82.
A legend in VFL/AFL football, Tommy was one very special bloke. But his staggering stats don’t tell the whole story.
* He coached 522 games, winning 336 for a 64.75 per cent success rate.
* Coached Richmond from 1966-76, Collingwood 1977-82, Geelong 1983-85, and the Swans from 1986 to 1988.
* Mentored his clubs into 10 grand finals, winning four with the Richmond Tigers in 1967, 1969, 1973, and 1974.
* Coached his various clubs to 42 finals
* And was the inaugural inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame.
Tommy coached his beloved Richmond to four flags, coached Collingwood from last to first in one season, and Sydney to two finals in two seasons after they had been in two finals over 40 years.
It was his sojourn at the Swans from 1986 to 1988 that I got to know “T-shirt Tommy”, a life-long tee-totaller who only drank tea.
The Swans were struggling to make any impact on the Sydney football scene. Tom changed all that by endearing himself to the local fans of any description, and coaching Warwick Capper to great heights.
The Swans became a talking point around the harbour city by playing spectacular and entertaining football, consistently chalking up 200-plus points a game.
Perhaps an AFL historian can tell me the last time any team posted 200 points?
And Capper was the on-field goal-kicking golden-haired boy..
Off the field, Tommy was tireless making the Swans better known and better understood. And once Sydneysiders learned more about Tommy Hafey they warmed to a warm man
He never asked any player to do what he didn’t do. He would arise around 5.30 every morning, seven days a week to go for a run in rain, hail or shine. He was the fittest man I’ve ever known.
Whenever I asked Tommy how he was, the answer was always the same -‘Sensational, and getting better”.
And towards the end of the week of every home game, Tommy would invite a couple of the opposition-to-be and people from all walks of life to the Bourbon and Beefsteak at Kings Cross for a luncheon he hosted with his switched-on manager Ron Thomas, who also played a big role in “selling” the Swans.
I was at 2KY at the time, and rarely gave the Swans a thought. Tommy and Ron changed all that.
They were a very successful combination, being in their company was outstanding.
Sadly, the fabulous Tommy Hafey story has ended.
But like Reg Gasnier yesterday, both will always be remembered for their outstanding contributions to their codes.
Icons both.
Bunny Boy Marty
Guest
Vale Tom, Tigerland mourns one of its favourite sons, remembered fondly across all codes -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Very nice tribute David, well done. I have two personal Tommy Hafey stories. He spoke at our footy club once as a guest speaker and everyone hung on his every word. I'm pretty sure he told the Kevin Sheedy story (back pocket plumber, etc). With the other one, I was walking through a park in Sydney one weekend, this was the early 90s, so I don't think Tommy was living there anymore, anyway, I thought I recognised a bloke I knew, so I gestured to him, and made eye contact, smiled, said hello, and then realised it was Tommy walking by. Being the gentleman that he was, he acknowledged me and returned the smile and greeting - that was Tommy.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Nice tribute Lordy, he really made a mark on the Sydney sporting scene in the late 80's. I remember him and the t-shirts in his mid 50's and how super fit he was. A legend at Richmond and the AFL world. Rest in peace Tom Hafey.
Bayman
Guest
Avon, I was there when Sydney ran up those massive 30 goal scores at the SCG and I doubt I've ever seen three more exhilarating games. The massive hopes for the finals was eventually dented by defeat but I'd never seen three consecutive 30 goal games before, or since. Exciting days indeed - I just have trouble realising it was nearly thirty years ago.......
Johnno
Guest
David, Tom Hafey and Ron Barrassi both made tireless contributions to Sydney Swans developing sad to hear Hafey's death. I like that in a coach, a man who never asks his players to do what he wouldn't. You know the coach is fair dinkum.
Gremlins
Guest
I met Tommy twice when he came to talk to our Year 12s. His presence in the Staff Room was memorable. Vale, Tom. They don't make them like you any more.
TheBlackCat1859
Guest
Nice piece. What a man. 1. Australian Football Hall of Fame is its title, not "AFL Hall of Fame". 2. The last time 200 points was reached was in 2011 when Geelong kicked 37.11.233 against Melbourne.
Avon River
Guest
Hafey post playing days went 'bush' to Shepparton winning a hat-trick of flags '63-65. Apparently he was as proud of these as any. Most of the tributes have focussed on his positivity and inspiration. And his lifestyle was example enough. A favourite saying along the lines of.. ' each morning the gazelle awakes and will need to outrun the fastest lion. Each morning the lion awakes and will need to catch the slowest gazelle. So when you wake up you'd better get running.' Hafey first and foremost was footy. But tributes have flowed in from other sports. He was a great supporter of Melb Storm from the outset. He'd played RL and footy on the Sat and Sun while living in Canberra as a kid growing up. Sat night his grandkids had him set up able to follow the Storm in their gutsy win. He'd spoken at the club often. In 2009 he helped troubled cyclist Shane Perkins turn his life around. Mentoring in life more so than cycling itself. It will be a missing part of the fabric of Melbourne. Even Cadel Evans got a buzz from calling out to Tommy as he crossed back over Bay Rd after his morning swim. (never one to wear a wetsuit). At the Swans he managed to coach the side to successive finals in 86-87. His side included one W.Capper who spoke well and from the heart on SEN this morning. The Swans managed in 1987 to kick 30+ goals in each of rnds 16-18. 30.21.201 to rout WCE by 130. 36.20.236 for a 163 pt smashing of Ess followed by 31.12.198 to sneak past Richmond by 91. Granted 3 wks running at the SCG but suddenly were atop the ladder. Only to drop the next 2 against eventual Grand Finalists Carl and Haw both on the road at Princes Park. His positivity was admired almost to a fault as a coach. His Tiges of the early 70s produced a raft of future coaches and one in particular named Kevin (Sheedy). Last night it dawned on a few former Essendon players now in the media just where the positivity of their own coach had been learnt. As someone suggested on SEN this morning - there's not many 82 yr olds for you can suggest their lifewas still cut short - such was his continuing positive impact upon people.