PORT ADELAIDE has recognised four loyal club servants with life membership.

Three players and a long-time staff member and volunteer were given the honour at the club’s best and fairest event at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night.

Among those recognised was defender Matthew Broadbent who has played 161 games and kicked 52 goals since debuting for the club in 2009.

The 28-year-old was the runner up in the 2012 John Cahill Medal and has been a mainstay in the Power defence, despite missing much of 2018 through injury.

He spoke on behalf of himself and his teammates Hamish Hartlett and Sam Gray who also received the honour but could not attend the function.

“My first memory of the Port Adelaide Football Club was the 1994 Grand Final an going to see Scotty Hodges kick a bag and Tim Ginever running around,” he said.

“I was four years of age and getting thrown around in a sea of black and white and I thought how good is this?

“So to be standing up here now as a life member of this club is something very humbling and something I really take to heart.

“This club is a great one. It probably hasn’t been the best time of late but we will rise again.”

Hartlett also debuted in 2009 and has gone on to play 153 games for the club.

He won the 2009 Best First Year Player award and the 2011 Gavin Wanganeen Medal as best player under 21.

Gray won the 2013 A.R. McLean Medal as Magpies best and fairest to go with the Bruce Weber Memorial Trophy in the same year as the best team man.

He has played 70 SANFL games for Port Adelaide and since being rookie listed by the Power in 2014 and has played 76 AFL games and booted 63 goals.

Former General Manager – Communications, Hitaf Rasheed was also awarded life membership in recognition of her ten years in the role and continued involvement since leaving the club.

Hitaf helped establish and chaired the inaugural Player Development Committee in 2010 and she established a formal player mentoring program in 2010 that she is still involved in.

“I was lucky enough to grow up in a family where sport was both our politics and our religion and our greatest love was the Port Adelaide Football Club,” she said.

 

“What makes it most special is the people around the club… that is what made my experience great.

 

“The Port Adelaide Football Club has given me far more than I will ever have given it, and I am truly honoured.”

 

The Port Adelaide Football Club congratulates Matthew, Hamish, Sam and Hitaf on their life membership and achievements with the club.

2018 LIFE MEMBERS


Matthew Broadbent
Playing career

161 AFL Games (2009-2018, debut 2009)
Runner-up John Cahill Medal 2012


Hamish Hartlett

Playing career
153 AFL Games (2009-2018, debut 2009)
Best First Year Player 2009

Gavin Wanganeen Medal 2011

 

Sam Gray

Playing career

70 SANFL League games (2009-2018, debut 2009)

76 AFL games (2014-2018, debut 2014)

A.R. McLean Medal 2013

Bruce Weber Memorial Trophy 2013


Hitaf Rasheed
Administration

Media and Communications Manager 1998-2008

Established and Chaired the inaugural Player Development Committee in 2010 (now the Player Welfare Committee)

Established formal player mentoring program in 2010 (still mentors several players)

Player Welfare Program 2010-2016

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