Latest news with #SandoverMedal
West Australian
05-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
WAFL 2025: South Fremantle celebrate Haiden Schloithe's emotional comeback with 27 point win over Claremont
Haiden Schloithe's incredible return from cancer has inspired South Fremantle to a 27-point victory over fellow premiership contenders Claremont at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday. The Bulldogs defeated a powerhouse Tigers outfit 10.9 (69) to 6.6 (42) in what could be a grand final preview to extend their lead at the top of the table to two and a half games. However, the attention was centred around Sandover medallist Schloithe who played his first league game since he went into remission from testicular cancer, having been diagnosed earlier this year. Schloithe finished with only three disposals in a quiet outing in his first league game since round 21 of last season but his presence undoubtedly lifted the Bulldogs and their fans who were overjoyed seeing their champion healthy and back in the side. Sandover Medal fancy Matt Parker continued his excellent season with 30 disposals, nine clearances and goal in another best-on-ground performance. Parker had plenty of support as Tom Blechynden (23 disposals and six clearances) and Jake Florenca (22 touches and eight clearances) ensured they won the vital midfield battle. The Bulldogs were hot early, kicking the first two goals of the game, but the loudest cheer was saved for the fourth minute of the game when Schloithe came off the bench for his first run of the day. After a blistering first term the game turned into a real slog in the second, with neither side able to gain ascendency. Such was the tough contest that it took more than 26 minutes for Tigers spearhead Jaiden Hunter to kick the first goal of the quarter. It looked as if South Fremantle had finally broken the contest open when they kicked they started the second half with consecutive goals to lead by 23 points. Claremont were not going to give up without a fight however and were lifted by an incredible goal from midfielder Ben Elliott, as the visitors kept themselves within touch going into a big final term. When dual Sandover medallist Jye Bolton booted the opening major, the Tigers were within a kick and the parochial Bulldogs crowd was nervous. Isiah Winder calmed them down soon after though, kicking consecutive goals to once again give South Fremantle plenty of breathing room before Ashton Ferreira sealed the deal with a long-range set shot. The game opened up as both teams tired, but the Bulldogs were too good as Schloithe led them off the ground to massive applause from the faithful to end an emotional day. SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.5 3.7 5.9 10.9 (69) CLAREMONT 1.1 2.2 4.4 6.6 (42) Goals – SOUTH FREMANTLE: I Winder 2 J Artemis C Bourne A Drage A Ferreira R O'Hehir M Parker T Ruscoe Z Strom. CLAREMONT: J Bolton A Davis T Delacey B Elliott K Gowdie J Hunter. Best – SOUTH FREMANTLE: M Parker T Blechynden I Winder M Ward J Florenca J Jones. CLAREMONT: A Davis O Eastland B Elliott J Peace C England J Bolton. Injuries – CLAREMONT: D Hardisty (illness) replaced in the selected side by J Howard. Umpires: M Adams J Antulov B Evans B Laycock. Crowd: About 1500 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
West Australian
10-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
West Coast Eagles coach Daisy Pearce inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame
West Coast coach and AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Pearce became the third woman to be honoured behind pioneer Debbie Lee in 2021 and fellow 2025 inductee Erin Phillips in a ceremony on Tuesday night. The 37-year-old, a premiership captain at Melbourne, three-time best and fairest winner and three-time All-Australian, is considered one of the most influential and respected figures in the industry. 'It's an incredible honour, I can't quiet believe it to be honest,' Pearce said the honour. 'As a young, country girl who loved footy more than anything and thought there was no option to play professionally, a moment like this never seemed possible. 'I can't believe the growth of women's footy, I'm so proud to have played a small part and hope it continues to go from strength to strength. 'Congratulations also to Erin and of course to Debbie, who was a mentor of mine, and huge thank you to the AFL, my family and all those who have supported me.' Alongside her role as Eagles coach, Pearce also provides insightful and expert commentary in her role with Seven. West Coast head of football Michelle Cowan said Pearce had helped shape the women's game. 'She's not only been a part of the AFLW story, but the broader AFL landscape as a captain, a commentator and now our coach. Her impact runs deep,' Cowan said. 'We are so proud to have Daisy at the West Coast Eagles and to have her leading our AFLW team. 'A huge congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition, her legacy is inspiring to so many.' Pearce and Phillips were among eight people inducted on Tuesday night, while South Australian football icon Ken Farmer was elevated to Legend status. Phillips, a former Adelaide and Port Adelaide superstar in the AFLW, joins her dad Greg in the Hall of Fame, the first father-daughter combination to be inducted. 'To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more,' she said. 'And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame.' St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt and Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge, both former No.1 picks and a part of the Seven line-up, were also inducted alongside Melbourne great Garry Lyon. East Perth legend George Owens, who won the WAFL's Sandover Medal in 1925, was posthumously honoured. He passed away in 1986, with his grandson Terry accepting his certificate on his behalf. South Adelaide legend Peter Darley and Tasmanian footballing great John Leedman were also added.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles coach and AFLW icon Pearce inducted into Hall of Fame
West Coast coach and AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Pearce became the third woman to be honoured behind pioneer Debbie Lee in 2021 and fellow 2025 inductee Erin Phillips in a ceremony on Tuesday night. The 37-year-old, a premiership captain at Melbourne, three-time best and fairest winner and three-time All-Australian, is considered one of the most influential and respected figures in the industry. 'It's an incredible honour, I can't quiet believe it to be honest,' Pearce said the honour. 'As a young, country girl who loved footy more than anything and thought there was no option to play professionally, a moment like this never seemed possible. 'I can't believe the growth of women's footy, I'm so proud to have played a small part and hope it continues to go from strength to strength. 'Congratulations also to Erin and of course to Debbie, who was a mentor of mine, and huge thank you to the AFL, my family and all those who have supported me.' Daisy Pearce, Hall of Fame Inductee accepts their certificate from Richard Goyder, Chairman of the AFL. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Photos Alongside her role as Eagles coach, Pearce also provides insightful and expert commentary in her role with Seven. West Coast head of football Michelle Cowan said Pearce had helped shape the women's game. 'She's not only been a part of the AFLW story, but the broader AFL landscape as a captain, a commentator and now our coach. Her impact runs deep,' Cowan said. 'We are so proud to have Daisy at the West Coast Eagles and to have her leading our AFLW team. 'A huge congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition, her legacy is inspiring to so many.' Pearce and Phillips were among eight people inducted on Tuesday night, while South Australian football icon Ken Farmer was elevated to Legend status. Phillips, a former Adelaide and Port Adelaide superstar in the AFLW, joins her dad Greg in the Hall of Fame, the first father-daughter combination to be inducted. Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Photos 'To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more,' she said. 'And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame.' St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt and Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge, both former No.1 picks and a part of the Seven line-up, were also inducted alongside Melbourne great Garry Lyon. East Perth legend George Owens, who won the WAFL's Sandover Medal in 1925, was posthumously honoured. He passed away in 1986, with his grandson Terry accepting his certificate on his behalf. South Adelaide legend Peter Darley and Tasmanian footballing great John Leedman were also added.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Footy hall of fame has first father-daughter members
Erin Phillips has become only the second woman inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, while also completing its first father-daughter combination. The Adelaide and Port Adelaide star was a marquee name when the AFLW started in 2017 and she joins women's pioneer Debbie Lee, who was inducted four years ago. Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her dad Greg, and Lee, who were at Tuesday's annual induction dinner in Melbourne, in her acceptance speech. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," she said. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the hall of fame." Phillips thanked the "incredible women" who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. "You kicked down this door so others could walk through," she said. "I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb." Phillips ended her stellar playing career at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the Hall of Fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement and she was an obvious candidate. Her father, Port Adelaide great Greg, was inducted in 2020. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Phillips, a former WNBA and Australian basketballer, immediately established herself as one of the AFLW's elite players. Also on Tuesday night, South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt joined Phillips as inductees. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewoldt holds St Kilda's record for the most games as captain, with 221 of his 336 matches. His induction was delayed because his family spent time in the United States. The key forward was a five-time All Australian who went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. Riewoldt said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag "Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything," he said. Seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens was this year's first historical inductee. Apart from his swathe of premierships at East Perth and the 1925 Sandover Medal, Owens also umpired five WAFL grand finals.
West Australian
10-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Footy hall of fame has first father-daughter members
Erin Phillips has become only the second woman inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, while also completing its first father-daughter combination. The Adelaide and Port Adelaide star was a marquee name when the AFLW started in 2017 and she joins women's pioneer Debbie Lee, who was inducted four years ago. Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her dad Greg, and Lee, who were at Tuesday's annual induction dinner in Melbourne, in her acceptance speech. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," she said. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the hall of fame." Phillips thanked the "incredible women" who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. "You kicked down this door so others could walk through," she said. "I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb." Phillips ended her stellar playing career at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the Hall of Fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement and she was an obvious candidate. Her father, Port Adelaide great Greg, was inducted in 2020. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Phillips, a former WNBA and Australian basketballer, immediately established herself as one of the AFLW's elite players. Also on Tuesday night, South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt joined Phillips as inductees. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewoldt holds St Kilda's record for the most games as captain, with 221 of his 336 matches. His induction was delayed because his family spent time in the United States. The key forward was a five-time All Australian who went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. Riewoldt said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag "Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything," he said. Seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens was this year's first historical inductee. Apart from his swathe of premierships at East Perth and the 1925 Sandover Medal, Owens also umpired five WAFL grand finals.
