SYDNEY has added four more names to its Hall of Fame at the club's jumper presentation on Thursday night, headed by 2012 premiership defender Ted Richards.
In front of a packed house at The Star, club favourite Richards was given the honour along with James Alexander Young, Terry Brain and Bernard Toohey.
A special moment ?????? #37 pic.twitter.com/DalrCUEUL3
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 26, 2020
Richards proved to be one of the Swans' best recruits when he helped the club to a famous flag, finished second in the best and fairest to Josh Kennedy, and was named All Australian in 2012 after crossing from Essendon for the 2006 season.
After managing just 33 games in four frustrating years with the Bombers, Richards found his spot at the Swans and was a key part of the back half for over a decade, playing 228 matches to finish a stellar career with 261 games.
"It's an incredible honour, I'm incredibly proud."
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 26, 2020
Hear from @tedrichards25 who was last night inducted into the Swans Hall of Fame #ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/xK7pV8MP2o
Young was a member of five VFA premiership teams with South Melbourne (1881, 1885, 1888, 1889 and 1890), and was part of losing Grand Final sides in 1880, 1883 and 1886.
Just five players have featured in more premierships in the competition.
Brain, who played 141 games for South Melbourne and kicked 198 goals, was a member of the club’s 1933 VFL premiership team, and the 1934 and 1935 losing Grand Final sides.
In an incredible feat, he was named club champion in 1934, despite the fact that superstar forward Bob Pratt kicked 150 goals that season.
Our next inductee, Terry Brain played 141 games for South Melbourne & was a member of the club’s 1933 premiership team and 1934 and 1935 Grand Final teams. A best and fairest winner in 1934, Brain was a consistent footballer who was always among the best on the ground. pic.twitter.com/kEufmscWOX
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 26, 2020
Toohey came to the Swans from Geelong for the 1986 season in a massive off-season that also saw the club recruit Greg Williams, Gerard Healy, Merv Neagle and David Bolton to Sydney, as well as legendary coach Tom Hafey.
The tough nut made 129 appearances in six seasons and finished his career with 263 career games for Cats, Sydney and Footscray.
"All you want to do is play and do the best for your team, you never look for personal accolades and for this to come many years later, to be respected and honoured by the Sydney Swans is a very big achievement and I am rapt." pic.twitter.com/t0WpWC84MV
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 26, 2020
The Swans also made two additions to the club's Heritage List on Thursday night.
Players selected in the greatest NSW team of all-time last year, including former Swans Dennis Carroll, Paul Kelly, Brett Kirk, Leo Barry, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, and current coach John Longmire, were all recognised.
Members of the Greatest NSW Team of All Time which was added to the Heritage List tonight @aflnswact #ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/wpmxRMboFI
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 26, 2020
The second item added, of significant historical value, was the club's birthplace at South Melbourne Temperance Hall – originally known as the Emerald Hill Total Abstinence Society Hall – the club’s foundation date of June 19, 1874, and the club’s founding father, John Parry.
