37 Facts About Tom Hafey

Thomas Stanley Raymond Hafey was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League.

Tom Hafey then became one of the VFL's longest-serving and most successful coaches, guiding Richmond to four VFL premierships before having stints at Collingwood, Geelong and finally Sydney.

Tom Hafey was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, named coach of Richmond's team of the century in 1998, and given the AFL Coaches Association "Coaching Legend Award" in 2011.

Tom Hafey was renowned for his fitness and toughness even in his elderly years when he would still run rings around his juniors.

Tom Hafey would do over 700 push-ups and crunches a day every day since he started playing in the VFL.

Tom Hafey was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1982 New Year Honours.

Tom Hafey began his football career with the East Malvern under-19 team before graduating to the senior side in 1950.

Tom Hafey spent three years with the club, winning the best and fairest in 1952.

Tom Hafey did play back pocket when the reserves captured the premiership by defeating Melbourne in the Grand Final.

Tom Hafey was named as one of the Tigers' best performers, and was selected for the senior team for the 1955 and 1956 seasons.

In 1959, Tom Hafey played for the local Richmond Amateurs who won the premiership that year.

Meanwhile, Tom Hafey acted as a recruiting agent for the Tigers, recommending potential players from his region.

Tom Hafey's performance drew the attention of Tiger secretary Graeme Richmond.

Tom Hafey was encouraged to apply, and the decision came down to Tom Hafey and former club captain Ron Branton.

On his return to Richmond, Tom Hafey found the team had acquired a number of young, high quality players.

Tom Hafey later recalled feeling some apprehension about his youth and that he would be coaching some ex-teammates.

Tom Hafey raised the bar for fitness among his players, extending pre-season training and introducing a third training night during the week.

The players rallied behind Tom Hafey and finished the season strong, taking fourth place.

Tom Hafey later said the defeat depressed him for many months, but it later became the motivation for back-to-back premierships in 1973 and 1974.

Tom Hafey used the resentment to his advantage, telling his players "it's Richmond against the world".

Tom Hafey was re-appointed for 1977, but not unanimously.

Tom Hafey's initial thought was to seek a job in Western Australia.

The Magpies under Tom Hafey again made the Grand Final in 1981 against Carlton.

Several leading players said Tom Hafey over-trained the team, particularly in the lead-up to finals matches.

Tom Hafey was given a three-year contract to coach Geelong in 1983.

Tom Hafey wanted to hire Kevin Sheedy, who had just coached Essendon to successive premierships.

The Sydney Swans under Tom Hafey made the finals campaigns in 1986 and 1987, both of which ended at the First Semi Final.

Supreme fitness was required to play this way, so Tom Hafey put a strong emphasis on training.

Tom Hafey strongly believed in leaving players in their designated position, even if they were losing to their opponent, which attracted criticism when the team lost.

Tom Hafey was prepared to back his players and build their confidence, contributing to a strong team spirit.

Tom Hafey's approach differed from most successful coaches who remained aloof from their players.

Tom Hafey focussed on the team's camaraderie, in many cases becoming intimately involved with the lives of his charges and he sought to mix with them in social situations even though he was a teetotaller and non-smoker.

Tom Hafey came to be seen as one of the old-school coaches, unsuited to the tactically sophisticated era.

Tom Hafey provided training advice to sporting clubs and schools, and gave motivational lectures.

Tom Hafey was a popular figure at St Kilda beach, often greeting fellow joggers and cyclists.

In 2011, Tom Hafey appeared in a TV commercial for Jeep Australia as part of their 70th Anniversary Campaign.

An inaugural inductee to the Australian Football Hall of Fame 1996, Tom Hafey was named coach of Richmond's team of the century in 1998.