Star Channel 7 commentators and football champions Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge, Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Phillips, one of the greatest AFLW players of all time, is the second woman to enter the Hall of Fame, while Riewoldt, quite remarkably, became the first No.1 draft pick to be inducted.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nick Riewoldt inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Riewoldt was eligible for the award two years ago but was unable to take part in the ceremony because he was living in the US.

On Tuesday night in Melbourne, he was the first player at the event to be honoured with his overdue award.

Riewoldt holds St Kilda’s record for the most games as captain, with 221 of his 336 matches.

The key forward was a five-time All-Australian who went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda’s draw and two losses across 2009-10.

Riewoldt said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag

“Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything,” he said.

After he was taken with the No.1 draft pick in 2000, the Queenslander booted 718 goals for St Kilda.

He was captain of the club in 2005 and from 2007-16, and was a six-time best-and-fairest winner.

Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson congratulated Riewoldt on his amazing career.

“There he is ... our Monday night (Agenda Setters) colleague, the 300-plus gamer,” Wilson said.

“He has just been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. There he is with his family. He’s got two tables there. There he is with (AFL chair) Richard Goyder. Of course, inducted two years ago, but back in Australia and able to accept the award, the first No.1 draft pick to actually become elevated into the Hall of Fame.”

Kane Cornes was staggered by that fact.

“That’s amazing, isn’t it?” Cornes said. “What a career.

Phillips is not only the second woman inducted, but becomes the first father-daughter combination.

The Adelaide and Port Adelaide star was a marquee name when the AFLW started in 2017 and she joins women’s pioneer Debbie Lee, who was inducted four years ago.

Phillips paid an emotional tribute to her dad Greg, and Lee, who were at Tuesday’s annual induction dinner in Melbourne, in her acceptance speech.

“To Dad, I can’t imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn’t play the game she loves any more,” she said.

“And 27 years later, she’s standing next to you in the Hall of Fame.”

Phillips thanked the “incredible women” who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee.

“You kicked down this door so others could walk through,” she said. “I’m so proud to be by your side and I can’t wait to kick down more doors with you Deb.”

Phillips ended her stellar playing career at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the Hall of Fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement and she was an obvious candidate.

Her father, Port Adelaide great Greg, was inducted in 2020. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees.

Phillips was Adelaide’s inaugural captain and the first women’s best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction.

She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022.

When the women’s league started in 2017, marquee players such as Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility.

Phillips, a former WNBA and Australian basketballer, immediately established herself as one of the AFLW’s elite players.

Hodge, of course, is also a No.1 draft pick and had a glittering career with Hawthorn after he was taken with the first pick in the 2001 ‘Super draft’.

He played in four premierships with the Hawks and was captain of the club’s 2013-15 three-peat.

He is also a three-time All-Australian, a dual Norm Smith medallist (in the 2008 and 2014 grand finals), and a two-time best-and-fairest winner.

After playing for Brisbane in 2018 and 2019, he retired after 346 games.

Pearce, a Melbourne AFLW legend, West Coast’s AFLW coach, and Seven regular became the third woman to join the elite.

Pearce did it all on the field and finished that chapter with a premiership for the Dees before becoming a respected commentator with the Seven team.

After spending time as a development coach in Geelong’s AFL program, she became head coach of West Coast’s AFLW team.

Also on Tuesday night, South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status.

Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL’s most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game.

He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships.

Seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens was this year’s first historical inductee.

Apart from his swathe of premierships at East Perth and the 1925 Sandover Medal, Owens also umpired five WAFL grand finals.

Channel 7 congratulates star inductees

“On behalf of Seven, we congratulate Luke, Daisy, Erin and Nick for their well-deserved inductions into the Australian Football Hall of Fame,” Seven Network Director of Sport Chris Jones said.

“Few players have commanded as much respect on the field as Luke Hodge. A four-time premiership hero, dual Norm Smith Medallist and one of the greatest leaders of the modern era, Hodgey set the benchmark for toughness, courage and football IQ.

“Since his retirement from the game, Hodgey has remained a mainstay in Seven’s AFL commentary team. His deep understanding of the game, ability to break down big moments, and the respect he carries in the footy world hold him as one of the most respected broadcasters in the game today.

“From the moment Erin Phillips stepped onto an AFLW field, she redefined what excellence looked like. Her skill, leadership and professionalism set a new standard for the game.

“One of the greatest athletes Australia has ever produced, Erin is fearless in her ambition to succeed. A dual-sport star, three-time premiership player and dual league best and fairest winner, Erin reads the game better than most and now footy fans get the benefit of that every week on Seven’s AFL coverage.”

Seven’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation Gary O’Keeffe said Daisy Pearce “set the standard” on the field.

“Her knowledge of the game, composure and leadership made her the heartbeat of the Melbourne Football Club and a role model for the entire competition.

“Daisy’s influence on Australian football is profound. Player, captain, mentor, expert commentator and now coach, she’s done it all with class and authenticity.

“She led by example and inspired women and girls across the country to chase their football dreams both on the field and behind the microphone. Few people have done more for the growth and success of women’s football than Daisy. Her impact on and off the field makes her truly deserving of this honour,” he said.

“Nick Riewoldt led with heart and resilience. He wasn’t just a brilliant footballer, he was an inspiring captain who stood tall through triumph and adversity. Following his on-field career, Nick has seamlessly transitioned into a respected football voice. Always sharp, articulate, and honest, his love for the game shines through in every broadcast and he has bolstered Seven’s AFL coverage in 2025.

“Following his induction in 2023, we are thrilled to celebrate alongside Nick last night back on home soil.”

The 2025 Legend and Hall of Fame Inductees

LEGEND STATUS

Ken Farmer

Inducted 1998

224 games for North Adelaide 1929-41, 1417 goals

6.33 goal average per game

17 games for SA, 71 goals

‘30, ‘31 Premierships

‘36 club best and fairest

11-time SANFL leading goalkicker, 13-time North leading goalkicker

Captain ‘34-35, ‘37-38, ‘41

North Adelaide Team of the Century

North Adelaide Premiership coach 1949, 1952

INDUCTEES

* Peter Darley

206 games for South Adelaide 1962-74, 123 goals

13 games for SA

1964 premiership

Seven-time club best and fairest

‘69 carnival All Australian

South Adelaide captain ‘67-69 and ‘71

* Luke Hodge

305 games for Hawthorn, 2002-17, 193 goals

41 games for Brisbane, 2018-19

Four games for Australia

Premierships - ‘08, ‘13, ‘14 , ‘15

Two-time club best and fairest

Three-time All Australian

‘08, ‘14 Norm Smith Medal

Captain ‘11-16

* John Leedham

124 games for North Launceston, 1946-53

114 games for North Hobart, ‘54-59

13 games for Tasmania

‘47 ‘53 (All Australian) ‘58 carnivals

Club premierships ‘46, ‘48-50 and ‘57

State premierships ‘46 ‘49 ‘50

Vice Captain, Tasmanian Team of the Century

* Garry Lyon

226 games for Melbourne 1986-99, 426 goals

Nine games for Victoria

Two-time club best and fairest

Five-time All Australian

Captain ‘91-97

* George Owens

195 games for East Perth, 1917-32.

17 games for WA

Seven-time premiership player

1925 Sandover Medal

135 games umpired, including five WAFL grand finals

* Daisy Pearce

55 games for Melbourne 2017-22, 25 goals

‘22 premiership

Three-time club best and fairest

‘17 (captain), ‘18, ‘22 All Australian

Melbourne captain 2017-18 and 2020-22

10 VFLW premierships at Darebin ‘06-17, seven as captain

* Erin Phillips

46 games for Adelaide 2017-22, 50 goals

20 games for Port Adelaide 2022-23, three goals

‘17, ‘19, ‘22 premierships

Two-time 2019 AFLW best and fairest

Two-time grand final best afield

Two-time Adelaide best and fairest

Three-time All Australian

Captain Adelaide 2017-20

Captain Port Adelaide 2022-23

* Nick Riewoldt

336 games for St Kilda, 718 goals

Six-time club best and fairest

Five-time All Australian - captain ‘09, vice-captain ‘14

Captain ‘05, ‘07-16

2002 Rising Star

- With AAP