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This was published 1 year ago

Hawk great Dunstall celebrated, Swan’s classic speech as he joins Australian football’s elite

Scott Spits
Updated ,first published

Good night

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It’s been a frenetic night. Wonderful to see Jason Dunstall officially elevated to Legend status, and great (and oh so entertaining) to see Dane Swan get his moment in the sun tonight as a new Hall of Fame member.

There will be plenty of chatter and conjecture about who was named as a new inductee, and who wasn’t (this year anyway). Let it begin.

Thanks for joining us.

Wrapping up the inductees

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Brownlow medallists Dane Swan and Kelvin Templeton have been honoured for their glittering contributions to the game with induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

On a night when Hawthorn’s champion goal-kicker Jason Dunstall was officially elevated to Legend status, Swan and Templeton were named among six new inductees.

Inaugural Adelaide Crows captain Chris McDermott, Indigenous speedster Michael Graham, West Perth great Ray Schofield and New South Wales pioneer Ralph Robertson were also acknowledged.

Much-loved by a legion of fans in the Magpie Army, Swan was a leader of Collingwood’s famous “rat pack” during their successful period under coaching legend Mick Malthouse and his successor Nathan Buckley.

AFL Hall of Fame inductee Michael Graham.AFL Photos

Hot off the press

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AFL Hall of Fame inductees Chris McDermott (top left), Dane Swan (top right), Kelvin Templeton (front left), Legend Jason Dunstall (centre) and Michael Graham (front right).AFL Photos
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Swan was entertaining on stage

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Dunstall’s words

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Jason Dunstall is on stage after some rapturous applause from the crowd.

“Really weird, really weird,” is asked how it felt to be back after more than 20 years since he first made the Hall of Fame in 2002.

“This is the best night in footy, bar none.”

He is entertaining the crowd with stories from his early days as a young Hawthorn player. He reminds everyone that he was forced into the “extra” running group during pre-season due to his physical condition at the time.

It’s almost time for Dunstall

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The great J.Dunstall is about to take to stage as a new Legend of the game. Tonight it’s official.

Jason Dunstall.Allsport
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Sixth inductee: Michael Graham

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Fifth inductee: Ray Schofield

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It was a classic speech from Swan

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There were several references to Swan’s close friends, and his prized “rat pack”.

He said the biggest thing he missed from footy was spending time with his teammates, even though they had an annual catch up each December - something they he relishes.

“If me having to win this thing [getting in the Hall of Fame] gets us all here [in the room] tonight, well, I’m obviously happy to do it,” Swan said.

“Finally, to my family .… for supporting me throughout the years .… they rode the bumps a little bit harder than what I did.”

Dane Swan addresses the room.AFL Photos
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What made Swan special

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