The hard work and dedication of Graeme McMahon was acknowledged by a visit from a number of Essendon premiership players and the 2000 premiership cup earlier this week.

With McMahon’s health beginning to deteriorate, Premiership player and current director Chris Heffernan said a group of 2000 premiership players paid a special visit to the former Chairman, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.

 “Mark Johnson, Mark Bolton, Charlie Italia (trainer) and I went and visited Graeme on Monday and thanked him for the contribution he made to us being able to play in a premiership,” Heffernan said.

“The success the team enjoyed in that five or six years was credit to Graeme’s strong leadership during that period.”

“Graeme came into the club in 1997 when there was little bit of turmoil with players, staff, coaches and management.”

“He came into the club, canvased views, read the right act and sorted everything out to put the club on a level footing for success for a period of time after that.”

Heferenan said it was important to appreciate the importance of McMahon’s leadership during a vital time for the club.

“He was a no nonsense guy but he was also a very relaxed and good guy to be around.”

“When there was a tough decision to make he stood up and made them.”

“He didn’t inherit a great deal when he took over the leadership, he came in and set the scene.”

“He will be sadly missed and I was glad that we could go and say our farewells in person because he made an enormous contribution to the club so our thoughts now are with his wife and family.”