Hall of Fame heading to the ACT
This article first appeared on afl.com.au
By Matt Thompson
Parliament House in Canberra will host next year’s Australian Football Hall of Fame ceremony.
The induction dinner will be held outside of Melbourne for the first time, as part of the Australian Capital Territory’s centenary celebrations.
“It is a reflection of the AFL’s commitment to the Canberra region, and the strength of Australian football locally, that the ceremony will be held in the ACT,” Territory sports minister Andrew Barr said.
“It will be a great addition to the packed calendar of events in Canberra during 2013, and I thank the AFL for their willingness to help the ACT mark its centenary.”
Some of the biggest names in Australian football will descend on the national capital, with the dinner to be held in The Great Hall. Former Bomber spearhead Matthew Lloyd and Richmond great Matthew Richardson top the list of recently retired players who are now eligible.
Lloyd is the seventh-best goalkicker in AFL/VFL history and Richardson is the eleventh best.
“The AFL is expected to confirm the date for the Australian Football Hall of Fame dinner early in the new year, as the final arrangements are in the process of being completed,” spokesman Patrick Keane said.
The AFL season launch, which was last year held at Sydney’s town hall, will be back in Melbourne on Wednesday March 20, before the season opens with Adelaide-Essendon two nights later at AAMI Stadium.
The annual pre-season function is a major event for the League’s corporate and media partners, involving all club captains.
