With the 2012 Season Launch and Hall of Fame Induction presented by Caltex this Monday night, essendonfc.com.au is continuing to pay tribute to the 21 Legends that have been inducted.

 

Monday, March 19 two new players or officials will be inducted to join the illustrious company as a Legend of the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame.

 

John Coleman was a freakish high-marking goal kicker who exploded onto the football scene with 12 goals in his first game and 100 goals in his first season. Both remain league records for a debut game and debut season. At the end of his first season Coleman had played in a premiership team, broken the club’s goal kicking record, won Essendon’s best & fairest award, and gained State selection at full-forward. A legend had been born. His outstanding form continued throughout his short career, and on retirement he had led the league’s goal kicking in four of the five seasons he completed. His average of 5.48 goals per game remains the second highest in the league’s history. Coleman is credited with kicking Essendon to two premierships in 1949 and 1950, and his dramatic suspension before the 1951 grand final almost certainly cost the Bombers a third straight flag. While Coleman’s star shone twice as bright, it burned for half as long. His brilliant career ended in 1954, at aged just 25, when he injured a knee at Windy Hill. After 98 games it was all over. Coleman went on to coach the Bombers to flags in 1962 and 1965

 

Over four decades Greg Sewell served Essendon Football Club as a player, players’ representative, coach, selector, committeeman and president. Sewell debuted in 1952 was very fast, a strong mark and remarkably consistent. He was never dropped in his career and missed only six games in 10 seasons. In 1969 Sewell became a selector and later chairman of selectors. After serving as vice president, Greg Sewell was elected president before the 1981 season and the club entered a new era. Under Sewell, the club massively increased its income, began the process of securing a new home ground, and of course won back-to-back flags in 1984 and 1985.

 

In 198 games over 11 seasons Ken Fraser won almost every accolade the game could bestow, and gained a wide reputation for his integrity. Fraser was a skilful and fast centre half forward who could produce his best when the chips were down. He was regarded as one of the fastest big men in the game, was agile, and was an outstanding mark in packs. Ken Fraser was a key member of the 1962 premiership side, and was runner-up for the Brownlow Medal the same year. He was runner-up again for the coveted award in 1964, then appointed captain the following year leading the side to a second flag in four years.

 

Barry Davis was a natural who became one of the greats. He made his senior debut as a 17 year-old after only one game in the seconds, and went on to become one of the game’s finest half backs. Davis was recruited locally from Essendon High School where he was an outstanding junior footballer, cricketer and track athlete. Davis began as a half-back flanker before becoming a ruck rover, where his skills, athleticism and competitiveness made him one of the league’s best players. In 1968 Davis won the first of his three club best & fairest medals, and in 1969 and in 1971 was runner-up for the Brownlow medal. His leadership and example were rewarded with the Essendon captaincy in 1971 and 1972. He coached the Bombers from 1978 to 1980.

 

Jack Clarke was an innovative player and then coach, whose consistency, skills and enormous courage, inspired his team mates and excited Bomber fans. Clarke made his debut for Essendon on his 18^th birthday. He settled slowly until being placed in the centre where his quick thinking and sublime skills became his hallmark. So quickly did he dominate in the centre that he was named in the state squad the following year, the first of an amazing 27 state selections over 10 years. His commitment and meticulous preparation led to the nickname Mr Perfectionist, and were rewarded with the captaincy of both Essendon and Victoria as well as All-Australian selection three times. Jack Clarke won two club best & fairest awards and was runner-up a further six times. On retirement he coached the Bombers from 1968 to 1970.