By Peter Ryan
Garry Lyon became a Melbourne hero in his 58th game. He became a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame just before he turned 58.
His status as a hero came when he accepted a handball from David Williams inside the final desperate minute of the 1988 elimination final against the Eagles at VFL Park.
Lyon snapped a goal to put the Demons in front and on the path to that year’s grand final.
Garry Lyon is a Melbourne greatCredit: The Age
Hawthorn thrashed them in the decider, but the club was back, having made the finals for the first time in 23 years a year earlier. Lyon played every home and away game that season but missed finals through injury as their fairytale run ended when the Hawks’ Gary Buckenara kicked a heartbreaking post-siren matchwinner in the preliminary final.
He then became a key part of the Demons’ revival over the next decade. Melbourne played finals seven times between 1988-1998 under revered coaches John Northey, Neil Balme and Neale Daniher with Lyon a force each season.
He played everywhere. So good as a forward he kicked 79 goals in 1994 and 77 goals in 1995 including 10 goals in the 1994 semi-final against Footscray. So good as a defender he was named in the AFL team of the year – the forerunner to the All-Australian team – as a key defender in 1989 and 1990 then on the half-forward flank from 1993-1995.
Footy’s big names: Five of the 2025 inductees to the Australian Football Hall of Fame.Credit: AFL Photos
Lyon hunted the ball and owned the moment. As captain he was inspirational, happy to insert himself to where he was most needed to change the game’s direction.
He did the same in the media from serious to not so serious as his career took off in all forums, the media commentator par excellence winning two Alf Brown awards.
Lyon had to laugh at himself the replays of him sitting under two of Melbourne’s best ever marks as both Shaun Smith and Jeff Farmer used their teammate as a stepladder.
It was fitting in one sense: Lyon made his teammates better.
He coached Australia in International Rules but never wanted to be a coach. His love of the game had no limits, but he limited how much the game controlled his life.
Nick Riewoldt is a St Kilda championCredit: Fairfax Photographs
Now 26 years – almost to the day – since he retired after 226 matches due to back issues, his contribution to the game has finally been recognised.
Joining him are two modern greats, both No.1 draft picks, who also parlayed their football brilliance into media careers in Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge and St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt.
Of course Hodge’s final 41 games were spent in a Brisbane Lions jumper, but he is a Hawthorn great. He led the club to three consecutive flags in 2013-2015 and was best on ground in his first in 2008, one of two Norm Smith medals won by Hodge.
Hawthorn’s premiership captain Luke Hodge.Credit: AFL Photos
He played on the biggest stages without losing the perspective he’d gained in the rough and tumble of football in Colac. A brilliant left foot kick he attacked the football with zeal and controlled the game from wherever he was positioned, maturing into the game’s best leader.
The saint Nick Riewoldt was a blond high-flying forward who ran opponents off their legs to mark on the wing or around the 50-metre mark or deep in the goal square.
Part of a golden generation at the Saints who just fell short of a premiership he became their best player and captain.
His mark at the SCG in 2004 when he tracked the flight of the ball to storm into oncoming players is regarded as one of the most courageous taken this century. Set to be inducted last season he was living overseas with family; with his moment arriving now.
AFLW pioneers Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame ahead of time as the league considered it necessary to ensure the vital contribution of these champion female players is recognised.
AFLW legend Erin Phillips.Credit: AFL Photos
Phillips becomes the first father-daughter inductee joining her father Greg who was inducted in 2020 while Pearce’s name is synonymous with AFLW.
South Australian goalkicking freak Ken Farmer became a legend for his incredible goalkicking feats while former greats South Australia’s Peter Darley, Western Australia’s George Owens and Tasmania’s John Leedham were also inducted.
