The Adelaide Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of inaugural Chairman and South Australian football great Bob Hammond.
He passed away on Saturday at the age of 78 after a courageous recent battle with Parkinson’s disease, and having made a remarkable six-decade contribution to the game.
An SANFL premiership winning player and coach, Hammond guided Adelaide’s entry into the AFL and served as Chair for a decade, overseeing the Club’s two premierships.
The influential and visionary leader then contributed to the broader game as an AFL Commissioner from 2001-11.
Hammond was the first inductee into the Crows’ Hall of Fame in 2015 and he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame later that same year.
He had previously been inducted into the SANFL Hall of Fame and received Life Membership of both the SANFL and AFL.
Crows Chairman Rob Chapman said Hammond’s immense contribution to the game of football was underpinned by success in every role he fulfilled, from player through to coach and administrator.
“The fact that only 16 administrators across more than 160 years of football history have been honoured as a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame gives context to his standing in the game,” Chapman said.
“Bob played a significant role in smoothing the Club’s path into the national competition and his intellect, vision and hard work laid the foundation from which we have flourished.
“As a player, he was strong and hard but as a person he always showed great care for others and on a personal level, his sage advice was always timely and on point.
“He was a proud South Australian and everyone associated with our Club is extremely grateful for his contribution, and our thoughts are with Bob’s family and many friends.”
Career Record
234 games for North Adelaide, 1960-73, kicking 69 goals.
14 games for Norwood, 1974-75.
Premierships 1960, 1971-72.
Champions of Australia 1972.
Captain 1973, North Adelaide.
Captain 1974, Norwood.
Seven games for SA.
Norwood coach 1974-79, 89 wins, 52 losses.
Premierships 1975, 1978.
Champions of Australia 1977.
SA coach 1983.
Sydney Swans (VFL) coach 1984.
Life member –North Adelaide, Norwood, SANFL, AFL.
Norwood FC board member 1981-90.
Adelaide Crows Chair 1991-2000.
AFL Commissioner 2001-11.
