The AFL Commission will recognise inaugural Crows chairman Bob Hammond’s outstanding contribution to the game with the prestigious John Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday.
Hammond steered Adelaide through its first decade in the national competition as part of a distinguished playing, coaching and administrative career which stretched more than 50 years.
Hammond played 248 games SANFL games with North Adelaide and Norwood, winning three premierships as a player with the Roosters and two later as a coach of the Redlegs. Hammond also represented South Australia on seven occasions.
He served on Norwood’s Board before playing a key role in Adelaide’s formative years as Chairman.
Hammond is an Australian Football Hall of Famer and was an inaugural inductee into Adelaide’s own Hall of Fame in 2015.
Crows Chairman Rob Chapman said Hammond was a deserving recipient of the award.
“Bob was the chief architect and someone who with the assistance of a couple of others laid the foundations for this club to be what it is today,” Chapman said.
“His influence on our organisation is ongoing and even in recent days he has provided wise counsel on matters relating to the Grand Final.
“He is not just respected here in South Australia but I know firsthand that he is held in the highest regard across the nation and particularly at AFL House.”
The John Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award was introduced by the AFL Commission in 2012 to recognise those who have made outstanding contributions to the game in more than one field encompassing administration, media, playing, coaching or umpiring roles.
BOB HAMMOND
- 248 SANFL games for the North Adelaide and Norwood Football Clubs between 1960 and 1975
- 69 SANFL goals
- Three-time SANFL Premiership player (1960, 1971 and 1972)
- Captain of the North Adelaide Football Club in 1973
- Captain of the Norwood Football Club in 1974
- SA representative on 7 occasions
- Team of the Century member for the North Adelaide Football Club
- Coach of Norwood Football Club 1974-1979 including premierships in 1975 and 1978
- Coach of the Sydney Swans in 1984
- SA Coach in 1983
- Norwood Board member (1981 – 1990)
- Chairman of the Adelaide Football Club (1991 – 2000)
- AFL Commissioner (2001-2011)
- Life Member of the SANFL
- Life Member of North Adelaide and Norwood Football Clubs
- Inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame
- Life Member of the Adelaide Football Club
- AFL Life Member
- Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
