The 2021 Southern Football Netball League Hall of Fame night has proven once again to be a massive highlight of the SFNL season.
After the COVID pandemic led to postponing the event in previous years, all those in attendance agreed it was well worth the wait.
A big congratulations to the five deserving inductees into the SFNL Hall of Fame:
Colin Anderson OAM,
Tony Cooper, Brian Marriott, Shane Morwood and
Crofton Mudge.
Last night also saw the 'Outstanding Achievement' and 'Distinguished Service' awards presented.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
Outstanding Achievement Award:
Jenny Davis and
Glynis Wickham
Distinguished Service Award:
Sue Anderson and
Owen Pearse
Colin Anderson OAM
Pictured: Colin Anderson
A Cheltenham Rosella's hero, Colin Anderson OAM was inducted amongst the greats of the SFNL.
Covering several roles throughout the years, Anderson was President of the proud club of Cheltenham from 2012-16.
Starting off as a volunteer trainer in the 1980's, he has also had two stints as Secretary after serving as a general committee member from 2000-2005.
Anderson also has played an important role and acted as the Cheltenham FNC liaison during Southern Football Netball League finals series
In his acceptance speech, Colin paid tribute to his wife Sue who had received a Distinguished Service Award in a very touching moment.
Colin Anderson Hall of Fame Video:
Tony Cooper
Pictured: Tony Cooper
A legend of Springvale Districts, Tony Cooper had the crowd in laughter as he accepted his Hall of Fame induction.
Cooper served as a player/coach/administrator for the Springvale Districts FNC for over forty years and is well-loved by all at the club.
He has a tremendous list of accolades including a senior best and fairest in 1992 before a coaching journey highlighted by a reserves premiership and senior grand final in 2004.
Tony has held multiple administration roles at the Springvale Districts FNC, as Treasurer from 1996-99, 2009-11 and 2014-19, Secretary from 2002-11 and 2013-16, and also acted as club liaison during the SFNL finals series from 1998-2018.
"I gave a lot to footy, what I took made me a great person," Cooper says.
Tony Cooper Hall of Fame Video:
Brian Marriott
Pictured: The Marriot family on behalf of Brian Marriott
The late Brian Mariott is one of the great local football umpires of all-time and will forever be amongst the great coaches, players and administrators in the Hall of Fame.
Marriott was President of the Southern Football League Umpires Association from 1987-90 and a life member of the SFNL.
The award was accepted by Brian's son which led to an emotional acceptance speech where there was not a dry eye in the house.
The Mariott family includes three generations of umpires (with a potential fourth pictured above), and the family very much enjoyed the night together.
Brian's achievements include honours such as
League Goal Umpire Coach from 1976-90, Goal Umpire for eleven Division 1 / A1 Senior Grand Finals and Goal Umpire for two Division 2 Grand Finals.
Brian Marriott Hall of Fame Video:
Shane Morwood
Pictured: Shane Morwood
Shane Morwood is one of the greatest coaches we have seen in the history or the competition and had a stellar AFL career to accompany it it.
Nonetheless, Morwood was incredibly humble in his acceptance speech and refused to mention himself - rather attributing his success and thanking his friends and family.
Morwood made mention to starting his coaching career after
212 AFL games for South Melbourne FC (17) and Collingwood FC (195), with the Dingley under 17's and came through to coach the senior side after a bit of convincing along the way.
He coached Dingley to a famous SFNL Division 1 three-peat
in 2015, 2016, 2017 and finished his coaching career with the Dingoes in 2019 with a fourth flag.
A Noble Park FC player at local level, Morwood's AFL achievements include
a career total of 124 goals, 1990 Collingwood Premiership Player and also a Victorian State of Origin representative.
Shane Morwood Hall of Fame Video:
Crofton Mudge
Pictured: Wayne Fuller on behalf of Crofton Mudge
The first inductee of the night, Crofton Mudge is a special person that the SFNL did not want to be forgotten in time.
A four-time league best and fairest in the
Federal Football League (
1947, 1948, 1951 and 1952).
Mudge was an inter-league captain and also played 11 VFL games for St Kilda.
The WWII veteran is now honoured forever as one of the all-time greats.
The Mordialloc Football Netball Club is incredibly proud that Mudge has been honoured in this way.
Crofton Mudge Hall of Fame Video:
