NAB AFL Auskick would like to congratulate former Hawthorn captain, premiership player and NAB AFL Auskick ambassador Shane Crawford, who was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame last night.
In a stellar career spanning 17 seasons and 305 games, Crawford is ranked third at Hawthorn behind Club greats Michael Tuck (426) and Leigh Matthews (332) for most games played in the brown and gold.
The hard-working midfielder's career highlight was undoubtedly Hawthorn's 2008 Premiership – which turned out to be Crawford’s final AFL game after he announced his retirement in November that year.
A Brownlow medallist in 1999, four-time Peter Crimmins Medallist and All-Australian on four occasions, Crawford was drafted to Hawthorn at No.13 in 1991 and made his AFL debut in 1993, earning himself a Rising Star nomination.
Captaining the Club from 1999-2004, Crawford won a number of individual playing awards in 1999 including the Brownlow Medal, All-Australian selection and the AFLPA’s MVP award.
In 2008, Crawford became only the sixth Hawthorn player to play 300 games, carrying his son Charlie through the banner in the Hawks’ Round 19 win over Brisbane at Aurora Stadium, Launceston.
In congratulating the Hawthorn champion on this achievement, Chief Executive Officer Stuart Fox praised Crawford’s leadership and longevity in the game.
"On behalf of Hawthorn Football Club’s Board, staff, players, coaches, members and supporters we’d like to offer our congratulations to ‘Crawf’ on this outstanding and well-deserved honour," Fox said.
"Shane represented Hawthorn remarkably well in his decorated 17-year career, which included six years as Club captain, and he will forever be a favourite among fans."
"He should be very proud of this acknowledgement from the League for his commitment and contribution to the game. This is a fitting tribute for one of Hawthorn’s longest-serving and much-loved players," Fox said.
Shane Crawford joined Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico as a NAB AFL Auskick ambassador in April 2012.
Playing honours:
- Drafted: 1991 AFL National Draft 1st round selection No.13 overall
- Recruited from: Finley (NSW)/Assumption College
- Debuted: Round 1, 1993 (Hawthorn v Melbourne)
- Final game: Grand Final, 2008 (Geelong v Hawthorn)
Awards:
- AFL Rising Star nominee 1993
- Runner-up Peter Crimmins Medal 1995 (equal), 1996
- All-Australian 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002
- Peter Crimmins Medal 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
- Alex Jesaulenko Medal 1998 (best player in State of Origin football, representing The Allies)
- International Rules Series 1998, 1999, 2002 (captain), 2003 (captain)
- Hawthorn FC Captain 1999-2004
- Pre-season premiership side 1999
- Brownlow Medal 1999
- AFLPA MVP 1999
- Third place Brownlow Medal 2002 (equal)
- 2008 Premiership
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