Wanganeen wins AFL honour - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Wanganeen wins AFL honour

By Lauren Ahwan 12/05/2004 08:02:36 PM Comments (0)

Premiership star, Brownlow medallist, five-time All Australian, Aboriginal role model - Gavin Wanganeen has achieved just about everything in a stellar AFL career.

But the man who on Sunday becomes the first Aborigine to automatically qualify for AFL life membership is motivated by winning another flag before he retires, at an age where he's better able to appreciate the magnitude of the achievement.

Wanganeen, 30, gains life membership on Sunday when he plays against the Kangaroos in his 300th official match.

"Mum will be very happy and my clan over on the west coast over there, I suppose I'm representing them as well and they'll be very proud also," Wanganeen said.

"I feel very honoured. It's come around quite quickly."

Wanganeen played 127 games for Essendon, where he was part of the 1993 premiership side - the same year he won the Brownlow Medal.

And when Port Adelaide - the club he had played for in the SANFL - made its AFL debut in 1997, Wanganeen was lured back as its big-name signing and inaugural captain.

Since his AFL debut in 1991, Wanganeen has played 264 premiership matches, 27 pre-season matches and eight State of Origin games but a first AFL premiership for the Power has remained elusive.

He happily handed the Power captaincy to Matthew Primus in 1991 and has enjoyed a playing renaissance, finishing just one vote short of a second Brownlow Medal last year.

"There's plenty left to achieve in football," Wanganeen said.

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