THE group of individuals that made the biggest contribution to Port Adelaide gaining entry into the AFL has been elevated into the club’s Hall of Fame, alongside four past greats, at a gala event to launch the 2023 season.
About 500 people were in the Magarey Room at the Adelaide Oval for the club’s Hall of Fame and Season Launch event, which included the first inductions into the Hall of Fame since 2019.
Just over three weeks out from the start of the AFL Premiership season, the playing list was introduced to the crowd with seven new recruits being presented their guernseys by members of the club’s Hall of Fame, giving them an immediate insight into the history and culture that underpins the nation’s most successful football club.
As well as celebrating the present and future of the club, the event honoured the 42 legends and heroes who already make up the Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame, including two multiple Premiership winning teams.
Among the four player inductees on the night were long-time teammates Rohan Smith and Roger Delaney, who made their names in the 1980s and 1990s when they each won six premierships.
Another six-time premiership player, Peter Obst, was posthumously elevated into the Hall of Fame recognising his significant contribution to a family legacy at the club, which included playing a part in the record-breaking six-in-a-row premiership sides from 1954-59 and the side which won premierships in 1962, 1963 and 1965.
AFL Premiership player and current assistant coach Chad Cornes also joined his brother Kane Cornes in the Hall of Fame, becoming just the second pair of brothers after Stephen and Mark Williams to be honoured.
In a special induction at the event on Wednesday night, members of the Board and Management Team which worked tirelessly to secure Port Adelaide’s AFL licence in 1994 and prepared for its entry into the national competition were included as Hall of Famers.
Among the group honoured were former club presidents Bruce Weber and Greg Boulton, and former CEO Brian Cunningham, who played significant roles between 1990 and 1996 in securing the club’s AFL licence and preparing for its entry into the national league.
The other directors recognised were Jim Nitschke, Barry Wilson, Geoff Monteleone, David Judd, Phil Hoffmann, Frank Hayter, Ian McLachlan, Robert Hoey and Tony Hobby.
The Life Member and Awards committee, which nominated the 12 men, paid tribute to the group’s vision, hard work, loyalty and absolute devotion to the club in achieving the goal of Port Adelaide playing in the national competition.
Chairman David Koch congratulated the latest inductees and thanked them for their service to the club.
“To be inducted into a Hall of Fame is a feat to be cherished, but to be inducted into Port Adelaide’s Hall of Fame holds a special gravitas,” Mr Koch explained.
“Across the club’s (overall) inductees there’s a collective 187 premierships, 11 Magarey Medals, 60 Best and Fairest awards all representing this great club. Those inductees are truly a class of their own.
“To tonight’s inductees, thank you and congratulations to you and your families. We know what a feat it is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and the sacrifices you and your family have made to contribute to our club.”
The combined Season Launch and Hall of Fame event is an annual tradition with supporters invited to join players and existing members of the Hall of Fame ahead of the start of the AFL Premiership Season.
The last inductions came in 2019 because the 2020 event celebrated the club’s 150th season and no gala was held in each of the last two years due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023 Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame inductees
Peter Obst
Games: 171 SANFL games (1955-1964, 1968-69)
Goals: 169 SANFL goals
6x Premierships (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963)
Best and Fairest (1962)
4x State games for South Australia
Rohan Smith
Games: 251 (SANFL) 1985-1990, 1992-1997 (3 AFL games with St Kilda in 1991)
Goals: 247 (SANFL)
6x premiership player (1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996)
1995 Max Porter Memorial Trophy as most consistent
Roger Delaney
Games: 208 (SANFL) 1984, 1987-1989, 1991-1997 (1 AFL games with Fitzroy in 1990)
Goals: 13 (SANFL)
6x premiership player (1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996)
1992, 1993 Max Porter Memorial Trophy as most consistent
The Board of Directors and Chief Executive responsible for securing Port Adelaide’s AFL Licence
Management Team/Committee (1990-1996):
Directors
- Bruce Weber (1990-92) – (dec)
- Greg Boulton (1990-96)
- Jim Nitschke (1990-96)
- Barry Wilson (1990-96)
- Geoff Monteleone (1990-96) – (dec)
- David Judd (1990-96)
- Phil Hoffmann (1991-96)
- Frank Hayter (1992-96)
- Ian McLachlan (1992-96) – (dec)
- Robert Hoey (1990-91; 1994-96)
- Tony Hobby (1994-96)
CEO
- Brian Cunningham (1992-96)
Chad Cornes
Playing career
Games: 239 (AFL) 1998-2011 (16 at GWS 2012-2013)
Goals: 175 AFL goals
AFL Premiership player (2004)
AFL pre-season Premiership player (2001, 2002)
All-Australian (2004, 2007)
Port Adelaide best finals player (2005)
Coaches’ Award - Most improved (2002)
AFL Player life member (2006)
Coaching career
GWS Giants playing assistant coach (2012-2013)
GWS Giants defence coach (2013-2015)
Port Adelaide SANFL coach (2016-2017)
Port Adelaide AFL forward development coach (2018-2021)
Port Adelaide AFL defence coach (2022)
Port Adelaide AFL forwards coach (2023-current)
