Ern Henfry Hall of Fame Coup

The campaign to have Ern Henfry admitted to the AFL Hall of Fame had its origins eight years ago under Damian Matthews’ presidency. That’s when our two existing Hall of Fame members, Merv McIntosh (who died in 2010) and Barry Cable, along with Terry O’Connor QC who had just stepped down as an AFL commissioner, wrote testimonials supporting his case.

The Carlton Football Club, with which Ern also had an illustrious record, was on side as well. But the case was unsuccessful and remained in abeyance for several years. The matter was revived following the decision of new Perth president, Vince Pendal, to form the Nominations Committee.

In 2013 the committee – Peter Kennedy, Richard Camm, Allan Stiles and Jack Ensor – decided to revisit the Henfry case because of his overwhelming credentials. We received advice and encouragement from a number of sources. Football historian Greg Wardell-Johnson attended several committee meetings and provided valuable input.

We decided to add to the three very good tributes we already had. As part of the renewed approach, Dr Peter Tannock wrote of Ern’s contribution to the University Football Club and his long influence on the game generally; Hall of Fame member Ken Hands told of the esteem with which Ern was held at Carlton both as a player and long term captain; and broadcaster Drew Morphett revealed how Ern had explained the finer points of the game to him when he arrived at the ABC in Perth from Sydney in the late 1960s. Carlton again lent its support.

A significant breakthrough was when the WA Football Commission decided earlier this year that the Henfry nomination would be its top priority for 2014. Then it was left to Dennis Cometti, as the sole WA member of the Hall of Fame committee, to bring home the bacon. He did not disappoint.