Nick Riewoldt shuns AFL Hall of Fame despite accepting invite

Nick Riewoldt shuns AFL Hall of Fame despite accepting invite

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt accepted an invite from the AFL to attend the celebrated Hall of Fame ceremony on Tuesday night time.

But the previous famous person ahead by no means confirmed up and can now be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.

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Three modern-day AFL champions had been inducted on Tuesday night time with Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell becoming a member of Geelong duo Jimmy Bartel and Corey Enright.

Mitchell, Bartel and Enright, alongside Magarey Medallists Tom Leahy (1913) and Michael Aish (1981), had been the primary 5 gamers from the 2023 class revealed at Crown Palladium in Melbourne, with legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney then changing into the newest media member of the Hall of Fame.

The last inductee of the night time waa Mark ‘Choco’ Williams — a four-time Port Adelaide SANFL premiership participant, ex-Collingwood participant and the coach of the Power’s maiden AFL premiership in 2004.

AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder confirmed Riewoldt will probably be formally inducted subsequent 12 months.

“For the record tonight, I wish to announce that Nick Riewoldt was nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame, which he has gratefully accepted. But Nick is away living in the United States with his children and family,” Goyder mentioned.

“Nick will be formally inducted next year on his return, but I’d hate for you to think that our selection panel somehow missed the high-flying No. 12 for the Saints now that he’s eligible for induction.”

But it was his absence that captured the eye of footy followers.

Players are eligible to be inducted solely after they’ve been retired for no less than 5 years, with Mitchell becoming a member of the Hall of Fame instantly following his retirement on the finish of 2017.

A four-time premiership participant – together with Hawthorn’s captain in 2008 – five-time greatest and fairest winner, triple All-Australian and 2012 Brownlow Medallist, Mitchell performed 329 video games throughout 15 seasons with Hawthorn and West Coast.

Minutes later, Bartel joined Mitchell within the Hall of Fame after retiring in 2016 with one of many AFL’s nice CV.

A 3-time premiership participant, 2011 Norm Smith Medallist, twin All-Australian and 2007 Brownlow Medallist, Bartel kicked 202 objectives from 305 video games for Geelong throughout 14 seasons.

Bartel is one among solely two AFL gamers, together with Brisbane legend Simon Black, to have gained a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal and play over 300 AFL video games.

Bartel’s teammate Enright was then formally inducted.

Enright was a part of the Geelong‘s 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags. Crucially, he gained his two greatest and fairests within the two latter premiership years.

Enright dubbed himself “the accidental AFL player”. Yet he completed his profession as a sturdy, constant, brave and revered Cats champion and one of many modern-day nice defenders.

The occasion, although, was considerably marred after the AFL Commission on Tuesday eliminated legend Barry Cable from the Hall of Fame after being discovered responsible of sexually abusing a lady on the top of his enjoying profession.

The Australian Football Hall of Fame seeks to recognise and enshrine gamers, coaches, umpires, directors and media representatives who’ve made important contributions to Australian Football – at any degree – for the reason that sport‘s inception in 1858.

Source: www.news.com.au