IT'S been two years in the making and come this Friday night AFL Central West will reveal the inaugural inductees into its new hall of fame.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It will be the final highlight of the league's 40th season and conclude week of online presentations to the best performed teams and individuals of 2021.
AFL Central West life member Tony Lewis, one of the driving forces behind the hall of fame, explained it is a way to honour those who have gone beyond assisting their clubs and worked towards the betterment of the league.
"Two years ago the AFL actually approached myself with the concept of creating a hall of fame for the league for it's 40th year celebrations and it has been a work in progress," Lewis said.
"I put a matrix together with the help of Casey White, the Central West's competition and development co-ordinator, so we'd have a criteria for selection.
"It's heavily weighted for the work you've done for the league rather than just playing in the league.
"Somewhere down the track and I can see the matrix changing, say now you get 10 points for being president of the league for the year, now that's all done in Sydney so there are people that won't get the chance to reach that milestone.
"So I can see it changing, but it will be nice to have this now the league is in its 40th year."
Member clubs have been asked to nominate candidates for induction and a week before the reveal, 26 names had been submitted for consideration.
White is delighted to see so many clubs eager to recognise members who have contributed in a significant way over the years.
"We are thrilled with the response to this and look forward to celebrating some of these nominees' achievements," White said.
"The hall of fame is an integral part of the league's development and will allow us to recognise those who have played a massive part both on and off the field formally.
"The AFL's purpose is to 'progress the game so that everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities' and the hall of fame allows AFL Central West to align itself with this purpose."
White hopes the naming of the first hall of fame inductees and announcement of individual award winners will help provide a positive finish to the year after the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown forced the finals series to be abandoned.
The AFL Central West Facebook page online awards will begin with a reveal of the coach and umpires of the year, Auskick co-ordinator of the year and senior leading goalkickers on Monday.
Wednesday will feature live best and fairest vote counts for the junior grades, with the senior count to follow on Thursday.
"The current climate doesn't allow for face-to-face gatherings of the magnitude which a league presentation requires. Rather than hold off until able, by which we could be well into the summer sporting season, the online format allows us to celebrate those who have achieved greatness this year," White said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News