Phillips joined her famous father after being honoured for her incredible playing career.
Female footy trailblazer Erin Phillips paid a heartfelt tribute to her family after becoming the first AFLW star to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall Of Fame on Tuesday night. In emotional scenes, Phillips emulated her famous father Greg after landing the prestigious honour, with Daisy Pearce joining the three-time Adelaide premiership player as the first former AFLW players to be inducted.
The pair take their place in the illustrious group alongside footy pioneer Debbie Lee as the only female inductees. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt also joined the Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hero Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon.
South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens were this year’s historical inductees. While South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night’s annual dinner in Melbourne.
Phillips – who was a two-time AFLW Best and Fairest winner – was joined at the gala night by her wife and former WNBA star Tracy Gahan, along with their four children. But it was a tribute to her father and Port Adelaide great Greg – was inducted in 2020 – that really resonated with those in attendance.
To my mum and dad, I couldn’t have asked for better parents to let me be who I wanted to be … Mum, you don’t really ever get much credit … I thank you and love you so much. “To Dad… I can’t imagine how hard it would’ve been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn’t play the game that she loves anymore.
“And 27 years later, she’s standing next to you in the Hall of Fame. Thank you for teaching me a game that I loved, and even though you knew it wasn’t going to take me anywhere at the time, you still taught me anyway.” The honour sees Erin and Greg become the first father-daughter selections, with Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr the father-son inductees.
Daisy Pearce joins Erin Phillips in Hall of Fame
Phillips also went on to thank her wife Tracy, while hailing the influence of inaugural female inductee Lee, who entered the Hall of Fame in 2021. “Debbie, you kicked down this door so others could walk through,” Phillips said. “(You’re the) first female member of the Hall of Fame (and) I’m so proud to be by your side, and I can’t wait to kick more doors down with you Deb.”
The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year, meaning players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. And alongside Phillips, the other obvious choice was Melbourne AFLW premiership hero Pearce. Currently the coach of West Coast’s AFLW side, Pearce was also a three-time best and fairest winner and three-time All-Australian and long regarded as the face of women’s footy in Australia.
Pearce famously returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. While Phillips was Adelaide’s inaugural captain and the first women’s best and fairest winner. She played in grand final wins for the Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction, before joining her famous father’s club Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022.
