CURRENT players Ollie Wines and Tom Clurey are among six loyal club servants who were recognised with life membership of the Port Adelaide Football Club at its 2022 Best and Fairest event.
Wines and Clurey were added to the exclusive list of club life members along with senior coach Ken Hinkley, list manager Jason Cripps, recruiting manager Geoff Parker and former player and development coach Jacob Surjan at the annual presentation of the John Cahill and A.R. McLean Medals at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday night.
For the first time the AFLW best and fairest was also crowned with Hannah Ewings taking home the honour, backing up her national recognition as the AFLW’s NAB Rising Star.
Wines and Clurey were recognised for ten years of service, having each arrived at Alberton through the 2012 AFL National Draft.
Hinkley has served ten years as the club’s senior coach, taking charge in 156 games for 85 wins and 71 losses in that time.
After 60 AFL games with St Kilda, Cripps’ service to Port Adelaide started as an assistant coach to Mark Williams in late 2006. He shifted into his current list manager role ahead of the 2012 season and remains highly valued and respected within the club and wider industry.
“It’s a privilege to work at this great football club,” Cripps said.
“When I came to the club in 2007 under Mark Williams, the coaching group was Phil Walsh, Bails (Dean Bailey), Adam Kingsley and Matty Primus – all who went on to be senior coaches and that draft year was Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff and Paul Stewart – all great people.
“My last eight or ten years have been with Parks (Geoff Parker), and working closely with Kenny (Hinkley), Chris (Davies) so I’m just really fortunate to work with great people and always have, and it’s a great honour to be standing up here tonight.”
A former state cricketer, Parker’s time at Alberton started in February 2007, and he and his recruiting team have been responsible for bringing a lot of talented players to the club.
“It’s a huge privilege to be recognised and I got a bit emotional when (CEO Matthew Richardson) rang me and told me because it’s a great club and well regarded around the country,” Parker followed.
“I work with great people, as Jason said, and all the recruiting boys are here tonight, which is great.
“To stand up here with Ollie and Tom, the first two players I drafted together is very special.”
While he is currently the senior coach at SANFL club North Adelaide, Surjan was pick 10 in the 2004 pre-season draft and went on to play 121 AFL and 29 SANFL games for Port Adelaide between 2004 and 2012.
A determined and reliable small defender, Surjan was in 2010 named a club vice-captain. Following his playing career, remained as the SANFL development manager, academy coach and later and AFL development coach, finishing up at the club in 2017 after 14 years.
Speaking upon receiving the honour, Surjan paid special tribute to his former teammate Robbie Gray, who retired at season’s end, and thanked the club for the recognition.
“It’s always nice to come back to the club that gave you your opportunity,” he said.
“If I never got drafted and brought to South Australia, I never would have met by beautiful wife and had my two boys and my little girl, so I’m very grateful to the Port Adelaide Football Club and what it’s done for me on a personal note but also a professional note as well.”
