Hall of Fame fix puts AFL stars on the list

By Darren Linton

Apr 20, 2022

A class above: Magpies champion Steele Sidebottom was one of four AFL players recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. Photo by AAP

Changes to the criteria for the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame have corrected an anomaly that made AFL players ineligible.

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The eligibility criteria includes that an athlete has at least made a significant contribution to their sport at the Australian representative level, but while the AFL has dabbled in international rules it isn’t a recognised sport.

At the April meeting of Greater Shepparton City Council, Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy moved a motion to adopt a new nominations policy, with an addition to the Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame nomination criteria allowing AFL players who had made an All Australian team or won a Brownlow Medal to be nominated.

Cr Brophy said the change was a “tidy up” to correct an anomaly in the nomination rules that had the effect of excluding AFL players on the basis they didn’t compete for Australia.

The nomination rules now contain a clause that recognises the “uniqueness” of Australian rules football.

“Under the previous rules, AFL players were nominated and considered for inclusion under a discretionary clause,” Cr Brophy said.

He said the AFL players included to date were all worthy and the rule change simply made the nomination criteria clearer.

Cr Brophy, who chairs the Hall of Fame Committee, said it was hoped an upgraded Shepparton Stadium could also become a physical home for the Hall of Fame.

“When we get funding for a new sports centre the centrepiece in terms of the entry can become our Hall of Fame so we have somewhere physically where we can represent our greats,” he said.