A trio of modern-day greats, South Australian football legends and a commentary pioneer were all inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening.

Hawthorn champion and coach Sam Mitchell was the first of seven to be inducted, with Geelong triple premiership pairing Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel also earning the honour for their impact on the game in the hoops.

South Australian football royalty in Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams, Norwood legend Michael Aish and triple premiership ruckman Tom Leahy were also inducted.

Broadcast legend Bruce McAvaney was inducted for his unrivalled influence on the sport from outside the boundary line, with McAvaney having called the game for over 40 years.

"I'm pleased to be able to celebrate tonight and recognise the tremendous achievements of the 2023 inductees," AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder.

"Their contribution to football is outstanding and each of the seven inductees alongside their family and friends should be immensely proud."

Goyder confirmed on Tuesday night that St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt was backed for an induction this year, however instead will be welcomed to next year's ceremony due to commitments overseas with his family.

2023 Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees

Michaelย Aish
  • 307 games for Norwood 1979-93, 449 goals
  • 15 games for SA (Captain 1986 and 1989)
  • Magarey Medal 1981
  • 2x Premierships 1982 1984
  • 3x All Australian 1983 1984 1986 (dual state-matches per year era)
  • 4x Best and Fairest 1981 1983 1984 1992
  • Fos Williams Medal 1983
  • Captain 1987-89
  • Norwood FC Hall of Fame Legend
  • SANFL Hall of Fame

James Bartel

  • 305 games for the Geelong Cats, 202 goals
  • 2007, 2009, 2011 Premierships
  • 2007, 2008 All Australian
  • 2007 Brownlow Medal
  • 2011 Norm Smith Medal
  • AFL Life Member

Corey Enright

  • 332 games for the Geelong Cats, 66 goals
  • 2007, 2009, 2011 Premierships
  • 2009, 2011 Best and Fairest
  • 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 All Australian
  • Geelong FC Legend Status 2022
  • AFL Life Member

Tom Leahy (deceased)

  • 169 SANFL games, comprising West Adelaide (58 games, 1905-09) and North Adelaide (111 games, 1910-15 and 1919-21)
  • 31 games for SA (Captain 1919-21, played every possible game bar one during his career)
  • Magarey Medal 1913 (Runner-up 1908 1909 1911)
  • Premierships 1908, 1909,ย 1920
  • 1908 national champions
  • 3x Best and Fairest 1911 1914 1919
  • Captain 1915, 1919-21
  • 2x Premiership coach Norwood 1922 1923
  • SANFL Hall of Fame

Bruce McAvaneyย 

  • Began calling with Channel 7 in Adelaide in 1978
  • Lead SANFL caller 1981-83
  • 1983-89 with Network Ten
  • 1989 - 2020 โ€“ Channel 7
  • Called more than 1000 AFL games, including 20 Grand Finals
  • Brownlow Medal host and Network Major Host for all key AFL / industry events
  • AFL Life Member
  • Sport Australia Hall of Fame

Sam Mitchell

  • 329 games for Hawthorn and West Coast, 71 goals
  • 2008 (captain), 2013, 2014, 2015 Premierships
  • 2012 Brownlow Medal
  • 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016 Best and Fairest
  • 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015 Top Three Best and Fairest
  • 2011, 2013, 2015 All Australian
  • 2008-10 Captain
  • AFL Life Member

Mark Williams

  • 377 games for 377 goals comprising West Adelaide (1976-78, 65 games, 37 goals), Port Adelaide (1979-80 and 1990-92, 111 games, 104 goals), Collingwood (1981-86, 135 games, 178 goals) and Brisbane Lions (1987-90, 66 games, 58 goals). Also six games for Windsor-Zillmere (1988).
  • Eight games for SA, one game for Victoria, one game for Queensland.
  • Premierships 1979, 1980, 1990, 1992 (all with Port Adelaide). Also 1988 QAFL premiership.
  • Collingwood Best and Fairest 1981, 1985
  • All Australian 1980 (carnival) and 2004 (AFL premiership coach)
  • Collingwood Leading Goalkicker 1984
  • Collingwood Captain 1983-86
  • Coached Glenelg (SANFL) 1993-94, 45 games for 22 wins, one draw, 22 losses
  • Coached Port Adelaide (AFL) 1999-2010, 256 games for 142 wins, two draws, 112 losses.
  • 2004 Premiership / AFLCA Coach of the Year
  • 2001 and 2001 Pre-Season Premierships
  • Senior assistant roles Essendon, Port Adelaide, GWs Giants, Richmond and Melbourne.
  • AFLCA Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Life Member at the AFL, SANFL, Port Adelaide FC, Collingwood FC