Miller, Neale and Wynd to be honoured as Legends in Canberra’s Hall of Fame

AFL Canberra will launch a special category of inductees known as Legends at the 2019 Hall of Fame Function.  Keith Miller, Tony Wynd and Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale will be elevated to Legend status for their significant positive impact on the game of Australian Football in the ACT.

This prestigious award will honour some of the greatest figures in Canberra’s football history and re-visit their ongoing contribution and legacy to the great game. AFL Canberra will feature the accomplishments and contributions of Miller, Wynd and Neale over the next few weeks.

IN A SNAPSHOT

Keith Miller 

Miller, in his first year at Eastlake as captain and coach in 1978, went on to be come a premiership player and a dual Mulrooney Medallist for the league’s best player. He also took out the Jesaulenko award for the best player in the 1982 grand final and represented the territory on a number of occasions.

Miller was also named in the ACTAFL Legends team, a team selected from those who have played in the ACTAFL’s 75-year history, a tribute to the rare talent which he possessed. In 2006 Miller was inducted in to the AFL Canberra Hall of Fame.

Following his outstanding playing career, Miller took on a junior development position with AFL ACT and the NSW/ACT Rams before working in football manager roles at Queanbeyan an Eastlake.

In 2013 Keith Miller published “Kick it Long” which explores the history of Canberra’s oldest Australian Rules Football Club which was founded in 1926, as well as that of Manuka Football Club which merged with Eastlake in 1991.

Tony Wynd 

Known as one of the greatest AFL talents from the ACT, Tony Wynd endured a remarkable career with the local Queanbeyan Tigers club. This included playing in 11 First Grade Grand Finals, winning six Premierships, as well as captaining his beloved Tigers for several seasons.

As a reflection on his ability and consistency as a player, Tony was also chosen to be part of 41 ACT Representative fixture matches.

Injury prevented Tony from playing in the All-Australian Representative team which toured Ireland and the United States in 1987. His selection was widely recognised as he was one of very few players from outside the major Australian football league teams to ever be named in an All-Australian team.

Notable achievements include being named best and fairest player on five separate occasions for the Queanbeyan Tigers First Grade squad, an award which has since been named the Tony Wynd Medal. Tony also received the Mulrooney Medal for best and fairest in the ACT competition on four occasions, a record for the ACT Australian Football League (ACTAFL) and an acknowledgment of his exceptional sporting ability.

Tony was also named vice-captain of the ACTAFL Legends team.

Upon retirement Tony became assistant coach of the Queanbeyan Tigers from 1988 to 1993 and was awarded Life Membership to the club. Fittingly, Tony received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 in recognition of his contribution to sport. In 2004, Tony was inducted  into the ActewAGL ACT Sport Hall of Fame.

Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale

Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale’s impact on football has been described as ‘phenomenal’ and considered instrumental in the presence and growth of Australian rules in the ACT. Recruited to St Kilda as a 19 year old, Cowboy Neale initially played in the backline, but was moved to full forward in 1966. His success here was out of this world and AFL Canberra will feature such stories in the next few weeks.

In 2001, Neale was named in St Kilda’s Team of the Century’ as their back-pocket ruckman.

In 1978, Neale moved to Canberra and was appointed the captain-coach of the Ainslie Football Club. His full-forward effectiveness continued, setting a goal kicking record in 1980. He led the Ainslie Football Club to four Premierships in 1979 and 1980, 1982 and 1983 – four out of the six years as captain-coach.

In the 1980 season he kicked 149 goals, in the 1981 season he kicked 139 goals, and in the 1982 season he kicked 125 goals.

Neale was the captain-coach of the combined ACT side that beat the Victorian team 13.17 (95) to 11.16 (82) on 6 July 1980 at Manuka Oval in front of a crowd of 10,600. He scored three goals.

From 1993 – 1995, Neale coached the Tuggeranong Hawks football Club for three seasons.

The 2019 Hall of Fame Induction Function will be held at Football Park on Friday the 26th of July from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. More details to come.

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