The club held its season launch to a packed audience at the Crown Grand Ballroom and while much of the focus was on the team’s expectations for 2023 there was also a nod to the past. For the first time the season launch incorporated a Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
While the club’s newest additions to the senior squad were officially presented with their guernseys in front of loyal guests in the room, senior coach Adam Simpson and captain Luke Shuey shared their thoughts on a campaign that starts against North Melbourne in just two weeks from now.
There was an air of excitement and anticipation around the pending return of several senior players who will make a welcome return to action while a number of young players will also be pressing for opportunities.
At the same time the club unveiled its latest batch of Hall of Fame inductees and also revealed its No.1 ticket holder for the next season.
Don Pyke, a two-time premiership star and an important cog in the Mick Malthouse game plan, dangerous small forwards Phil Matera and Mark LeCras and Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis were elevated to the Hall of Fame.
This is just the fourth such ceremony and takes to 21 the number of players, coaches, volunteers and administrators who have been honoured.
The club also presented its 16th No.1 ticketholder – a pioneer of women’s football – Jan Cooper, who has had a pronounced influence on the evolution of the women’s game.
She has been a passionate trailblazer for decades and has been broadly recognised for that contribution.
In 2021 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her dedication and commitment to creating a pathway for girls and women to play Australian football, she has been the AFL’s Woman of the Year and has also been inducted in the WA Women’s Hall of Fame.
Closer to home, she was an integral part of the formation of our initial AFLW squad and has played an on-going role with the team’s development. Cooper has been a valuable confidante and mentor to so many females making their way in Australian football.
