TWO Port Adelaide Football Club greats have been inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame and the 1962, 1963 and 1965 Premiership sides have been honoured at a gala to launch the 2019 season.
800 people were in attendance at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the club’s second combined Hall of Fame and Season Launch event.
Ahead of the blockbuster 2019 AFL Premiership season, the playing list was showcased to the crowd with eleven new recruits being presented their guernseys by members of the club’s Hall of Fame, giving them a first-hand induction 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 39 legends and heroes who already make up the Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame.
For the second time, a Premiership team was inducted into the Hall of Fame with the teams that dominated the first half of the 1960s joining the record-breaking six-in-a-row team of the 1950s, which was inducted last year.
Eleven members of the 1962, 1963 and 1965 Premiership teams were in attendance to be elevated among other greats of the club.
Two new individuals were also added to the Hall of Fame including seven-time SANFL Premiership defender George Fiacchi who was inducted by friend and multiple premiership teammate Tim Ginever, in recognition of his 236 senior games for the club.
The club’s AFL games record holder Kane Cornes was also recognised after winning four John Cahill Medals as the club’s best and fairest, and twice being named All-Australian.
The combined Season Launch and Hall of Fame event is an annual tradition each March with supporters invited to join players and existing members of the Hall of Fame ahead of the start of the AFL Premiership Season.
2019 Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame inductees:
1962 Premiership
Adelaide Oval, September 29
Crowd: 43,567
Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) def
West Adelaide 7.13 (55)
Best: I. Hannaford, P. Obst, G. Motley, D. Gill, J. Potter, J. Cahill
Goals: J. Cahill, J. Potter, G. Virgo 2, N. Hayes, D. Gill
1963 Premiership
Adelaide Oval, October 5
Crowd: 52,668
Port Adelaide 11.14 (80) def
North Adelaide 6.11 (47)
Best: T. Obst, R. Philp, R. Elleway, J. Cahill, R. Fabian, N. Hayes
Goals: R. Philp 3, S Traynor 2, T. Obst, B. Luke, P. Obst, J. Potter, D. Gill, R. Bray
1965 Premiership
Adelaide Oval, October 2
Crowd: 62,543
Port Adelaide 12.8 (80) def
Sturt 12.5 (77)
Best: G. Motley, J. Cahill, J. Potter, R. Philp, R. Elix, K. Salmon
Goals: E. Freeman 3, J. Potter, P. Mead 2, J. Cahill, R. Philp, T. Obst, S. Traynor, R. Beaufoy
George Fiacchi:
Games: 236
Goals: 53
7x SANFL Premiership player (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996)
Port Adelaide life member (1994)
Jack Oatey Medal (1990)
Kane Cornes:
Games: 300
Goals: 93
AFL Premiership player (2004)
AFL pre-season Premiership player (2001, 2002)
Port Adelaide Best and Fairest (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012)
Port Adelaide life member (2010)
All-Australian (2006, 2007)
Best First Year Player (2001)
Most Improved Player (2004)
Leading Disposals (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
