THE PORT Adelaide and Essendon Football Clubs have begun exploring ways to jointly honour AFL Hall of Fame entrant Gavin Wanganeen.
Wanganeen won premierships with each club during a decorated 300 AFL game career, during which he was named an All-Australian five times and won the 1993 Brownlow Medal.
CEOs Ian Robson (Essendon) and Mark Haysman (Port Adelaide) say the two clubs will work closely together to appropriately honour Gavin.
“We think that it is fitting that Gavin Wanganeen be honoured by his two AFL clubs, and we’ll work closely together to create something special to celebrate his contribution to each of us,” Robson and Haysman said.
“Gavin Wanganeen was a very special player and is much loved and well remembered by Essendon fans,” Robson said. “During his time as a Bomber he played in a premiership, won a Brownlow, and in 2002 was named at number 19 in the club’s all-time Champions of Essendon.”
Port Adelaide Chief Executive Mark Haysman said Wanganeen had made an indelible impact on Port Adelaide.
“Gavin was a Port Adelaide icon really from his debut as a 16 year old in the SANFL,” Haysman said. “He captivated people with his unique ability, was the first captain of our club in the AFL, and played a key role in us reaching and winning the 2004 premiership.”
Wanganeen has an extraordinary record with both clubs.
After debuting as a 16 year old for Port Adelaide in the SANFL in 1990 and starring in the club’s SANFL league premiership team later that year, Wanganeen moved to Essendon for the 1991 season.
He played 127 games for the Bombers between 1991 and 1996 and was just 19 when he won his first All-Australian jumper (1992) and 20 when he won the 1993 Brownlow Medal as an electric, rebounding back pocket player, on his way to being a member of the club’s 1993 ‘Baby Bombers’ AFL premiership side. He won three All-Australian jumpers with Essendon (1992, 1993, 1995).
Returning to Port Adelaide as the club’s inaugural AFL captain in 1997, Wanganeen played 173 AFL games for the Power and starred in the club’s 2004 AFL premiership, kicking four goals in his side’s win over Brisbane. He added two further All-Australian awards (2001, 2003) and finished runner-up in the 2003 Brownlow.
In 2006 Wanganeen became the first Aboriginal player to play 300 AFL games.
The clubs will collaborate over the coming months and announce how they will honour Wanganeen later this year.
