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Daryn Cresswell was the only current Swan named in the Team of the Century.
Swans honoured
By TIM MORRISSEY
09aug03
DARYN Cresswell was the only current player deemed worthy to be named in the Swans Team of the Century announced last night.
But the veteran midfielder has a couple of great mates in Paul Kelly and Tony "Plugger" Lockett to keep him company in the exalted group.
The modern day trio were honoured at a gala function at Darling Harbour attended by almost 2000 guests, along with some of the greatest names in Swans history that includes the South Melbourne era before the club relocated to Sydney in 1982.
Cresswell was picked on the interchange bench in recognition of his courage on the field and team spirit. Kelly was named in the forward pocket and Lockett at full forward.
Kelly, nicknamed "Captain Courageous" during his stellar 13-year career that included winning the Brownlow Medal in 1995, was pipped by rover Bobby Skilton for the ultimate honour of being Team of the Century captain.
Skilton, who won three Brownlows in 1959, '63 and '68 and captained the side from 1961 to '71, is the club's greatest player across both eras.
Lockett, who broke Gordon Coventry's record during the Swans' 1999 season to become the most prolific goal-kicker in AFL history with 1360 goals, was also named in St Kilda's Team of the Century.
He beat Bob Pratt, one of the game's greats from the 1930s for the coveted full forward spot.
Pratt, who topped the Swans goal kicking each season from 1932 to '36 and kicked 150 goals in 1934, was arguably the game's greatest full forward until Plugger came along.
Andrew Dunkley, who rounded out the Swans "Fab Four" in the modern era, was unlucky not to be named full back in the team.
That honour went to John Heriot, considered the finest full back in his time, who played 153 games for the Swans from 1958 to '68.
Dunkley can consider himself stiff over not at least joining Cresswell on the bench.
However, the coach of the Team of the Century was always going to be Jack Bisset, who led the Swans to their only premiership in 1993 and guided the team to three more grand finals.
Current Swans captain Stuart Maxfield and flashy goal kicking forward Michael O'Loughlin were also both nominated for the Team of the Century but failed to make the cut.
Out of the 25 players named in the team, 15 played for the pre-Sydney Swans. But for the current players, Maxfield believes the Team of the Century player they identify most with is Kelly.
"All the guys have looked up to a lot of [past] players, none more so than Bobby Skilton," Maxfield said.
"I suppose it's hard to identify with players from past eras because you weren't able to see them play.
"But certainly Paul Kelly, obviously I got to play with him and there are none more courageous and his leadership style is something that we all aspire to."
As the clash against Hawthorn at the SCG is tonight, the Swans players weren't on hand to applaud the club's century team last night.
But they will get their chance to congratulate the Swans greats in the players rooms before the game.
Maxfield believes the chance for the current generation of Swans to listen to a pre-game address from some of the Team of the Century members will be inspiring.
"I think that will have a huge impact on the players," he said.
"Over the past couple of years we've tried to get a few of the past players around the club and really try to identify ourselves with the history of the club. So the players are really looking forward to it."
Swans honoured
By TIM MORRISSEY
09aug03
DARYN Cresswell was the only current player deemed worthy to be named in the Swans Team of the Century announced last night.
But the veteran midfielder has a couple of great mates in Paul Kelly and Tony "Plugger" Lockett to keep him company in the exalted group.
The modern day trio were honoured at a gala function at Darling Harbour attended by almost 2000 guests, along with some of the greatest names in Swans history that includes the South Melbourne era before the club relocated to Sydney in 1982.
Cresswell was picked on the interchange bench in recognition of his courage on the field and team spirit. Kelly was named in the forward pocket and Lockett at full forward.
Kelly, nicknamed "Captain Courageous" during his stellar 13-year career that included winning the Brownlow Medal in 1995, was pipped by rover Bobby Skilton for the ultimate honour of being Team of the Century captain.
Skilton, who won three Brownlows in 1959, '63 and '68 and captained the side from 1961 to '71, is the club's greatest player across both eras.
Lockett, who broke Gordon Coventry's record during the Swans' 1999 season to become the most prolific goal-kicker in AFL history with 1360 goals, was also named in St Kilda's Team of the Century.
He beat Bob Pratt, one of the game's greats from the 1930s for the coveted full forward spot.
Pratt, who topped the Swans goal kicking each season from 1932 to '36 and kicked 150 goals in 1934, was arguably the game's greatest full forward until Plugger came along.
Andrew Dunkley, who rounded out the Swans "Fab Four" in the modern era, was unlucky not to be named full back in the team.
That honour went to John Heriot, considered the finest full back in his time, who played 153 games for the Swans from 1958 to '68.
Dunkley can consider himself stiff over not at least joining Cresswell on the bench.
However, the coach of the Team of the Century was always going to be Jack Bisset, who led the Swans to their only premiership in 1993 and guided the team to three more grand finals.
Current Swans captain Stuart Maxfield and flashy goal kicking forward Michael O'Loughlin were also both nominated for the Team of the Century but failed to make the cut.
Out of the 25 players named in the team, 15 played for the pre-Sydney Swans. But for the current players, Maxfield believes the Team of the Century player they identify most with is Kelly.
"All the guys have looked up to a lot of [past] players, none more so than Bobby Skilton," Maxfield said.
"I suppose it's hard to identify with players from past eras because you weren't able to see them play.
"But certainly Paul Kelly, obviously I got to play with him and there are none more courageous and his leadership style is something that we all aspire to."
As the clash against Hawthorn at the SCG is tonight, the Swans players weren't on hand to applaud the club's century team last night.
But they will get their chance to congratulate the Swans greats in the players rooms before the game.
Maxfield believes the chance for the current generation of Swans to listen to a pre-game address from some of the Team of the Century members will be inspiring.
"I think that will have a huge impact on the players," he said.
"Over the past couple of years we've tried to get a few of the past players around the club and really try to identify ourselves with the history of the club. So the players are really looking forward to it."
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