Legend status in Australian football: Who is in Hall of Fame category and what is the criteria?

Author Photo
Hall of Fame Legends
(Getty Images/The Sporting News)

Later this year, Jason Dunstall will become the 32nd person to be elevated to Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Introduced in 1996, the Legend category recognises those who have had a significant positive impact on the game.

It is the highest honour which can be bestowed on an individual in Australian football.

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To ensure the prestige of the honour, the AFL commission in 2010 amended the criteria, confirming that a maximum of 10 per cent of total Hall of Fame inductees be elevated to Legend.

Per the criteria, only an individual's "playing and coaching" records be taken into account.

"Legends" in the Australian Football Hall of Fame

In order of elevation to Legend status (Year elevated)

  • Ted Whitten (1996)
  • Roy Cazaly (1996)
  • Ron Barassi (1996)
  • Leigh Matthews (1996)
  • John Nicholls (1996)
  • John Coleman (1996)
  • Jack Dyer (1996)
  • Haydn Bunton Sr. (1996)
  • Graham 'Polly' Farmer (1996)
  • Dick Reynolds (1996)
  • Bob Skilton (1996)
  • Bob Pratt (1996)
  • Ian Stewart (1997)
  • Gordon Coventry (1998)
  • Peter Hudson (1999)
  • Kevin Bartlett (2000)
  • Barrie Robran (2001)
  • Bill Hutchison (2003)
  • Jock McHale (2005)
  • Darrel Baldock (2006)
  • Norm Smith (2007)
  • Alex Jesaulenko (2008)
  • Kevin Murray (2010)
  • Royce Hart (2013)
  • Tony Lockett (2015)
  • Malcolm Blight (2017)
  • Kevin Sheedy (2018)
  • John Kennedy Sr. (2020)
  • Jack Oatey (2021)
  • Merv McIntosh (2021)
  • Russell Ebert (2022)
  • Jason Dunstall (to be elevated on 18/06/24)
Author(s)
Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor for The Sporting News Australia.