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Wanganeen 'honoured' at AFL life membership

Alan Shiell

12 May 2004 - Gavin Wanganeen says he is ‘very honoured’ to be receiving AFL life membership for playing his 300th senior match on Sunday – against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome.

“Hopefully I can stay injury-free and just be a part of a successful side,” the Port Adelaide and former Essendon champion said before training at Alberton Oval on Wednesday.

“We’ve copped a few injuries, which have hurt, but we’ll get on with it. We’ve got some exciting young guys coming up and hopefully they can play some exciting footy and get the old guys up as well.

“While we respect the Kangaroos and what they’ve done against us over the past few years, I think we’re more concerned with our game and just getting our game right. If we can do that, we’ll be pretty confident.”

Wanganeen’s 299 matches are made up of 264 in the AFL (127 with Essendon from 1991-96, 137 for Port since 1997), eight for South Australia in state-of-origin and 27 for Essendon and Port in the pre-season competition.

He said Essendon’s 1993 premiership was his career highlight.

“It would have to be the premiership because that’s why we’re all here – to play in premierships,” he said. “While it was quite some time ago and I was only a young lad, I suppose I didn’t really know how to appreciate it.

“If I was to play in one in the latter part of my career, I’d cherish it a lot more. It’s something you realise as you get older – you haven’t got much time before your career’s going to end, and it goes so quickly.

“So it’s pretty important for the young guys to realise you’re not here for a long time, so you’ve really got to make the most of it.”

How much more does the much-decorated Wanganeen, the 1993 Brownlow medallist, a five-time All-Australian and a best-and-fairest winner with Essendon and Port, believe he has to achieve in the game?

“There’s plenty left to achieve in football,” he said. “You can never just sit back on what you’ve done. Footy’s been pretty good to me. Everyone’s goal is to play in a premiership. September’s a long way away. We’ve just got to concentrate on what’s going on now.”

Of being the first Aboriginal player to receive automatic life membership of the AFL, Wanganeen said: “It makes me feel very proud. Mum will be very happy and (so will) my clan over on the West Coast (of SA). I suppose I’m representing them as well, and they’ll be very proud of it also.”

He named Essendon captain James Hird and Brisbane Lions’ skipper Michael Voss as the best players he had seen and West Coast’s Phil Matera as his toughest opponent because of his pace.

And the ‘old’ champ had a word of praise for the ‘young’ champ, Warren Tredrea.

“The game Warren played at the weekend (against Adelaide) was outstanding,” Wanganeen said. “He just keeps putting his name up there, doesn’t he? He’s an amazing footballer … big bloke … can really take games on, and I’m sure there are plenty more around the corner. He’s pretty special, isn’t he?”

Source:AFL

Wanganeen collects another honour

May 13, 2004 - Premiership star, Brownlow medallist, five-time All Australian, - Gavin Wanganeen has achieved just about everything in a stellar AFL career.

But the man who on Sunday becomes the first Aborigine to qualify for AFL life membership is motivated by winning another flag before he retires.

Port Adelaide's game against the Kangaroos will be Wanganeen's 300th official match, after 264 premiership games, eight Origin clashes and 27 pre-season cup matches.

"Mum will be very happy and my clan over on the west coast over there, I suppose I'm representing them as well and they'll be very proud also," Wanganeen said. "I feel very honoured. It's come around quite quickly."

Wanganeen played 127 games for Essendon, where he was part of the 1993 premiership side - the same year he won the Brownlow Medal.

And when Port Adelaide - the club he had played for in the SANFL - made its AFL debut in 1997, Wanganeen was lured back as their big-name signing and inaugural captain.

Source: AAP

related links :

• Footy may have played possum for 40,000 years
  23 May 2002 - Aborigines do not merely play Australian football but seem to express themselves on the field... many native Australians believe that is no coincidence.
• Emotions flare at Australian Rules
  7 March 2002 - A debate about 'Australian Rules', a lively drama about a white youth and his Aboriginal best mate who play for a country football team, produced tears, a walk-out and angry accusations about white film-makers taking black stories at the Adelaide Festival.
• Fixed Race
  21 August 1999 - John Pilger - Australia is gearing up to host the 2000 Olympics, yet its own sporting history is far removed from the spirit of the Games. Some of its greatest sportspeople were denied the chance to make their mark. Why? Because of the colour of their skin. And even today, to be aborigine, is to be a second-class citizen.

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