TWO of the North West's most pivotal Australian rules champions have earned themselves a chance to join NSW footy immortals.
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In 2020, AFL NSW-ACT has plans to launch its very own hall of fame and has scoured the state searching for the most deserving of nominees.
The Leader can reveal Tamworth's Gerry Griffiths and Gunnedah's Sam Naismith are among hundreds of worthy nominees across the state in contention to join the 2020 NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Naismith became the first player from the region to be drafted into the AFL when the Sydney Swans drafted the 206cm ruckman with the 59th pick of the 2013 rookie draft.
Griffiths was among the region's early pioneers of the code, volunteering countless hours to help grow the AFL North West competition into what it is today.
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AFL North West committee member Josh McKenzie said it was an honour for both men to be nominated.
"I think it is fantastic to see both Sam and Gerry be recognised for their respective impacts on the sport in our region," McKenzie said.
"Sam has been a bit of a trailblazer for young people in the region by showing them that hard work will help you reach the top level, regardless of where you come from.
"As for Gerry, I can't think of anyone who has given more to football in this region than him and I think if they are being fair dinkum about starting a hall of fame, Gerry is a walk-up starter."
Griffiths' nomination comes after he was immortalised by AFL North West earlier this year with an end of Tamworth No.1 Oval named in his honour.
"In my opinion, Gerry is unparalleled in terms of a single person's contribution to the sport in our region," McKenzie said.
"I have no doubt if Gerry was still with us he would be still heavily involved in the AFL North West competition."
Griffiths' wife Veronica echoed McKenzie's sentiments, saying her husband would be "over the moon just to be nominated".
"I'm a little bit overwhelmed to hear about this nomination, but it is certainly a giant recognition for the work Gerry put in," she said.
"Gerry was just one of many people who put in a lot of hard work to help AFL get going in the North West and it is just such an honour to even be nominated.
"I'm sure he would be very excited."
Griffiths said her husband would be especially pleased with the recent growth of the AFL North West competition.
"I think he would be so pleased to see how far the women's competition has come and to see Glen Innes enter the competition as well," she said. "I know he would be thrilled."
Nominations for the 2020 NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame close on September 6.
To nominate someone, visit aflnswact.com.au
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
