LEGEND HAFEY POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED LIFETIME HONOUR FOR AFL LEGACY
MELBOURNE – Late AFL coaching giant Tom Hafey has been posthumously awarded a prestigious lifetime achievement award, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to Australian rules football – a legacy that spans four clubs, four premierships, and a generation of players whose careers he transformed, including two flag-winning stints with Geelong in the 1960s.
Inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1996, Hafey – who passed away on May 12, 2014, at age 82 following a battle with cancer – remains one of the most respected figures in the sport’s history. Renowned for his unwavering focus on fitness, motivational genius, and famous motto “Desire + Dedication + Discipline + Determination = Destination,” he coached Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong, and Sydney over a remarkable 22-year career, leaving an indelible mark on each.
His first tenure at Geelong (1964-1970) yielded the club’s 1967 and 1969 premierships – two triumphs that cemented his place in Cats folklore. Leading a talented squad through a golden period, Hafey’s no-nonsense approach and emphasis on hard work propelled Geelong to the top of the ladder, delivering joy to thousands of fans at Kardinia Park and establishing the club as a force to be reckoned with in the Victorian Football League (VFL), the predecessor to the AFL.
While his second spell at Geelong (1983-1985) did not produce premiership success. It was during this time that Hafey brought future superstars Gary Ablett Sr. and Greg Williams to prominence, refining their skills and setting them on paths to Hall of Fame careers. Under his guidance, the Cats developed a host of key players and pushed close to finals contention in his final year at the club, narrowly missing out on a spot – a testament to his renowned people skills and capacity to extract the best from his squad even without ultimate team success.
Beyond Geelong, Hafey’s greatest triumphs came at Richmond, where he led the Tigers to four premierships (1967, 1969, 1973, 1974) in a dominant seven-year spell. His commitment to physical preparation revolutionized the sport, with his teams renowned for their relentless running and fighting spirit – qualities that became synonymous with his coaching philosophy.
The lifetime award, presented at a ceremony attended by past players, coaches, and football administrators, honors Hafey’s enduring influence on the game. “Tommy wasn’t just a coach – he was a mentor, a leader, and an inspiration to everyone who knew him,” said AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder. “His legacy lives on in the players he developed, the clubs he transformed, and the values he instilled in the sport we love.”
Hafey’s family accepted the award on his behalf, with his son Robert saying, “Dad would have been humbled by this honor. He never coached for awards – he coached for the love of the game and the desire to see young men reach their potential.”
