Star’s Hall of Fame speech leaves well-known dad in tears

AFLW nice Erin Phillips used to be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening, becoming a member of her father Greg within the esteemed team.

Phillips, a three-time Adelaide premiership participant and two-time league perfect and fairest winner, joined Daisy Pearce to transform the primary AFLW avid gamers to be inducted, becoming a member of Debbie Lee as the feminine inductees.

Greg performed 86 video games for Collingwood over a 4 12 months duration however made a reputation for himself for Port Adelaide’s SANFL workforce between 1976 and 1993, additionally representing South Australia 20 instances.

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The former SA participant used to be in attendance and may just now not disguise his emotion when Phillips addressed her dad and mom in her acceptance speech.

“To my mum and dad, I couldn’t have asked for better parents to let me be who I wanted to be … Mum, you don’t really ever get much credit … I thank you and love you so much,” Phillips mentioned.

“To Dad… I can’t imagine how hard it would’ve been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn’t play the game that she loves anymore. And 27 years later, she’s standing next to you in the Hall of Fame.

“Thank you for educating me a sport that I beloved, and although you knew it wasn’t going to take me anyplace on the time, you continue to taught me anyway.”

Phillips reflected on her journey as a woman in the game during her speech, recounting her experiences on the field.

“I attempted to slot in (with the lads taking part in), reduce my hair brief (and) had a in point of fact excellent ‘mushroom’ haircut as a tender child. (I) were given incorrect for a boy continuously,” Phillips said.

“I take into accout a sport in reality, I ran out to centre-half ahead, stood subsequent to my opponent. I may just see him scanning the sphere in search of one thing, after which he turns to me and is going: ‘I heard you’ve gotten a girl in this workforce, and I heard she’s beautiful excellent’.

“I looked at him, and I go: ‘Yeah, you’re standing next to her!’… I gave him a hiding that game.

“I by no means sought after to be a boy, I simply sought after the alternatives that boys had — and that used to be footy. That used to be all I ever sought after.”

Phillips thanked her wife Tracy Gahan but also had kind words for Lee, who was inducted in 2021.

“Debbie, you kicked down this door so others may just stroll thru,” she added.

“(You’re the) first feminine member of the Hall of Fame (and) I’m so proud to be through your aspect, and I will’t wait to kick extra doorways down with you Deb.”

Other inductees incorporated St Kilda nice Nick Riewoldt, four-time Hawthorn premiership participant Luke Hodge, former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon and South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley.

South Australia’s Ken Farmer used to be increased to legend standing whilst John Leedham and George Owens have been the ancient inductees for 2025.