TOPIC:

Only the deluded can think that the AFL Hall of Fame Legends is anything more than a farce, joke, shame and a sham. It is nothing more than the VFL Hall of Fame.

If 305 games, 4 Sandover Medals, 5 Fairest and Bests, 25 state games, 461 goals amongst other honours does not constitute a legend of the sport of Aussie Rules what does?

There are several other examples of WA players whose records would stack up more than fovourably with the VFL Legends.

Perhaps someone more enamoured with the AFL can explain why there is only one legend of the AFL Hall of Fame with no Victorian connection?

swan42 wrote: Only the deluded can think that the AFL Hall of Fame Legends is anything more than a farce, joke, shame and a sham. It is nothing more than the VFL Hall of Fame.

If 305 games, 4 Sandover Medals, 5 Fairest and Bests, 25 state games, 461 goals amongst other honours does not constitute a legend of the sport of Aussie Rules what does?

There are several other examples of WA players whose records would stack up more than fovourably with the VFL Legends.

Perhaps someone more enamoured with the AFL can explain why there is only one legend of the AFL Hall of Fame with no Victorian connection?

Probably because the VFL was considered the highest level of football that could be attained.
In a similar situation, i doubt whether a championship player in the English football league would play for England, until he plays in the premier league.

UNKA2 wrote:

swan42 wrote: Only the deluded can think that the AFL Hall of Fame Legends is anything more than a farce, joke, shame and a sham. It is nothing more than the VFL Hall of Fame.

If 305 games, 4 Sandover Medals, 5 Fairest and Bests, 25 state games, 461 goals amongst other honours does not constitute a legend of the sport of Aussie Rules what does?

There are several other examples of WA players whose records would stack up more than fovourably with the VFL Legends.

Perhaps someone more enamoured with the AFL can explain why there is only one legend of the AFL Hall of Fame with no Victorian connection?

Probably because the VFL was considered the highest level of football that could be attained.
In a similar situation, i doubt whether a championship player in the English football league would play for England, until he plays in the premier league.

The VFL may well have been considered the 'highest' level (by Victorians), but re-read swan's stats (of obviously an SDFC player) and give a credible reason why the person is not in the hall of fame. Let's face it - it really is nothing more than a Victorian wankfest.

58shark wrote:

UNKA2 wrote:

swan42 wrote: Only the deluded can think that the AFL Hall of Fame Legends is anything more than a farce, joke, shame and a sham. It is nothing more than the VFL Hall of Fame.

If 305 games, 4 Sandover Medals, 5 Fairest and Bests, 25 state games, 461 goals amongst other honours does not constitute a legend of the sport of Aussie Rules what does?

There are several other examples of WA players whose records would stack up more than fovourably with the VFL Legends.

Perhaps someone more enamoured with the AFL can explain why there is only one legend of the AFL Hall of Fame with no Victorian connection?

Probably because the VFL was considered the highest level of football that could be attained.
In a similar situation, i doubt whether a championship player in the English football league would play for England, until he plays in the premier league.

The VFL may well have been considered the 'highest' level (by Victorians), but re-read swan's stats (of obviously an SDFC player) and give a credible reason why the person is not in the hall of fame. Let's face it - it really is nothing more than a Victorian wankfest.

Not saying its right, what i am saying is the greater % of football followers took notice of the VFL ( be they SA or WA) alas it wasnt really ever reciprecated in Vic. Stephen Michael ( who i am told left Graham Moss for dead) as with Robran in SA were greats in thier state, but the big stage that"most" ( not all i agree) was to play for a team in Victoria, with the biggest crowds etc.Again not saying i agree, BUT perception is what it is all about. I would expect to prove yerself in Vic would be percieved a lot more than proving yourself in WA.

58shark wrote:

UNKA2 wrote:

swan42 wrote: Only the deluded can think that the AFL Hall of Fame Legends is anything more than a farce, joke, shame and a sham. It is nothing more than the VFL Hall of Fame.

If 305 games, 4 Sandover Medals, 5 Fairest and Bests, 25 state games, 461 goals amongst other honours does not constitute a legend of the sport of Aussie Rules what does?

There are several other examples of WA players whose records would stack up more than fovourably with the VFL Legends.

Perhaps someone more enamoured with the AFL can explain why there is only one legend of the AFL Hall of Fame with no Victorian connection?

Probably because the VFL was considered the highest level of football that could be attained.
In a similar situation, i doubt whether a championship player in the English football league would play for England, until he plays in the premier league.

The VFL may well have been considered the 'highest' level (by Victorians), but re-read swan's stats (of obviously an SDFC player) and give a credible reason why the person is not in the hall of fame. Let's face it - it really is nothing more than a Victorian wankfest.

For the record they are part of Billy Walker's achievements. If his achievements do not warrant recognition as a LEGEND of Aussie Rules then it should be rebranded the VFL Hall of Fame legends. Billy Walker is by no means the only West AUstralian who has no connection with the VFL that should be afforded the status of LEGEND of the game.

Unka2 it has nothing to do with the VFL being perceived as the highest level of footy it is the pinnacle of achievements and you would be hard pressed to find a majority of theose who have achieved legend status with a better playing record than Billy Walker.

swan42 wrote:

58shark wrote:

UNKA2 wrote:

swan42 wrote: Only the deluded can think that the AFL Hall of Fame Legends is anything more than a farce, joke, shame and a sham. It is nothing more than the VFL Hall of Fame.

If 305 games, 4 Sandover Medals, 5 Fairest and Bests, 25 state games, 461 goals amongst other honours does not constitute a legend of the sport of Aussie Rules what does?

There are several other examples of WA players whose records would stack up more than fovourably with the VFL Legends.

Perhaps someone more enamoured with the AFL can explain why there is only one legend of the AFL Hall of Fame with no Victorian connection?

Probably because the VFL was considered the highest level of football that could be attained.
In a similar situation, i doubt whether a championship player in the English football league would play for England, until he plays in the premier league.

The VFL may well have been considered the 'highest' level (by Victorians), but re-read swan's stats (of obviously an SDFC player) and give a credible reason why the person is not in the hall of fame. Let's face it - it really is nothing more than a Victorian wankfest.

For the record they are part of Billy Walker's achievements. If his achievements do not warrant recognition as a LEGEND of Aussie Rules then it should be rebranded the VFL Hall of Fame legends. Billy Walker is by no means the only West AUstralian who has no connection with the VFL that should be afforded the status of LEGEND of the game.

Unka2 it has nothing to do with the VFL being perceived as the highest level of footy it is the pinnacle of achievements and you would be hard pressed to find a majority of theose who have achieved legend status with a better playing record than Billy Walker.

See i think it does..."everyone", Australia wide ( generalisation i know) would have heard say of Alex Jesalenko, i doubt if people in say SA know of Billy Walker, thats the way these things work, again i stress i am not saying its right, but i can see the logic.

Because its a Victorian centric organisation , they are the dominant state with a far bigger population and far more money, the VFL was always bigger than the WANFL and the Victorian State side generally seen as the most powerful in the country. It stands to reason that they wil have more in what is really their own hall of fame, virtually nobody outside of WA has heard of Billy Walker, Bernie Naylor or even John Gerovich.

I guess the reality is the AFL today is an offshoot of the VFL. That is where it all started, so most players inducted will come from the VFL. Eventually beyond our life times that will become obsolete. I guess it would be like expecting a player from the WAFL today playing for example 300 games, 4 premierships, 500 goals etc etc. But it wont be recognised unless its done at the elite level, the AFL. The same probably applies to the past when almost every good WA player would move to Victoria to play at the highest level. Those who chose not to go never gave people the opportunity to truly gauge how good they were. Its not denying their ability, its just that there is this tiny missing piece in their career that most likely holds them back from any Hall of Fame accolade. And this accolade must only be given to the absolute best of the best in a 100% rated way.

This is a shame because we all know unbelievable players here who never crossed to border, and that decision holds them back from recognition they would otherwise attain today. Its just the way it is unfortunately. That is why we have a WA Football Hall Of Fame. Its still a huge honour for them I would think, especially considering the calibre the WAFL was back in the day.

jardine wrote: I guess the reality is the AFL today is an offshoot of the VFL. That is where it all started, so most players inducted will come from the VFL. Eventually beyond our life times that will become obsolete. I guess it would be like expecting a player from the WAFL today playing for example 300 games, 4 premierships, 500 goals etc etc. But it wont be recognised unless its done at the elite level, the AFL. The same probably applies to the past when almost every good WA player would move to Victoria to play at the highest level. Those who chose not to go never gave people the opportunity to truly gauge how good they were. Its not denying their ability, its just that there is this tiny missing piece in their career that most likely holds them back from any Hall of Fame accolade. And this accolade must only be given to the absolute best of the best in a 100% rated way.

This is a shame because we all know unbelievable players here who never crossed to border, and that decision holds them back from recognition they would otherwise attain today. Its just the way it is unfortunately. That is why we have a WA Football Hall Of Fame. Its still a huge honour for them I would think, especially considering the calibre the WAFL was back in the day.

Very well put Jardine

Bazza wrote: Because its a Victorian centric organisation , they are the dominant state with a far bigger population and far more money, the VFL was always bigger than the WANFL and the Victorian State side generally seen as the most powerful in the country. It stands to reason that they wil have more in what is really their own hall of fame, virtually nobody outside of WA has heard of Billy Walker, Bernie Naylor or even John Gerovich.

Obviously one would need to be of a certain vintage to recognise Billy Walker; however, to suggest that those of that vintage in SA would not have heard of Billy Walker cannot be taken seriously.

Bazza it is not a case of more it is with one exception exclusively those with links to the VFL who are in the category of Legend within the AFL Hall of Fame.

Either it is an AUSTRALIAN Hall of Fame or it is a VICTORIAN Hall of Fame. If it is the former then not only do you have non-Victoriam as members of the Hall of Fame you have non-Victorian Legends of the game. If it is the latter why are there any non-Victorians as members of the Hall of Fame?