The Sunshine Coast AFL community is proud to announce that three league identities- Bill Magin, Dean Warren and Don Smith have been named in AFL Queensland’s Hall of Fame.
Bill Magin
Billy has represented the Cooroora Juniors for many, many years at the Leagues Delegates table, never in a quiet, unassuming, shy manner but always letting his game development thoughts be known even if not agreed upon. For well over a decade Billy has been heavily involved in junior AFL supporting his four boys Blake, Rhys, Alik and Lanze and many other youth of the Pomona region in their wish to play AFL. His passion for teaching the young and getting the best out of them has been high and most commendable – any team coached by Billy will always be a tough hard at the footy unit committed to the Demons cause.
From a playing point of view Billy still runs around with his beloved Demons although these days not quite as quick, sometimes needing to keep one eye behind. There is no doubt AFL would not be as developed throughout the Pomona/Cooroy area if not for Billy’s total love for the game – well done and congratulations Billy, on your induction in to the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame.
· Originally from Seaford in Victoria, he is a 650-game icon of Sunshine Coast football with 26 years as a player/coach/administrator of the Pomona club.
· His Pomona commitment was interrupted by stints at Centrals Aloomba in Cairns and time in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
· Boasts an extraordinary list of highlights that include 12 club B&F’s, three League B&F’s - two on the Sunshine Coast and one in Cairns - and 10 League leading goal-kicker awards, plus four 100-goal seasons.
· Representing South Queensland, North Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, he won an incredible nine country carnival B&F’s.
· He had the privilege of playing in every country centre in Queensland that plays the Australian game and toured New Guinea with the Cairns League in 1981. His slight and wiry frame belied his undeniable talent.
· He had a prodigious leap and uncanny goal sense.
· Has continued to play in Masters competitions where the awards, accolades, goals and good times have continued.
· Still contributes through countless hours of junior coaching and was extremely proud when son Rhys was elevated off his beloved Essendon Bombers Rookie list to debut in the AFL competition in 2008.
Don Smith
Don is a past Queensland footballer of great note – AFL Queensland Team of the Century Centre Half Back. A most humble man, who in his quiet way is most proud of his achievements but very thankful for what the game has given him. Recently Don has involved himself in the Coolum Beach Breakers JAFC supporting the youth of Coolum in their pursuit to play the game, involved in player development on training nights and supporting coaches and players where he can on match day. Don is a local ‘chippy’ who also generously gives to the local club.
· Champion Sandgate centre half back and captain from the Sunshine Coast who played 300 games from 1970-84 and was selected in the Queensland Team of the Century in 2003.
· A 1968 All-Australian U15 Schoolboys selection, he won the Grogan Medal as a 20-year-old in 1973 and again in '79.
· Enjoyed premiership triumphs in 1970-71-74-79, and played in losing grand final sides in 1972-73-76.
· A seven-time club B&F winner in a very handy team, he played 21 State games despite some early indifference to representative football.
· Pursued by several AFL clubs, he once trialled with Collingwood before rejecting Melbourne's inclement weather.
· Was senior captain-coach of Nambour from 1985-88 where he played 70 games.
· In 1992 his thirst for football was not sated and he gained All-Australian selection in the over 35’s Super Rules.
· A junior coach with the new Coolum Beach Football Club in 2007-08, he is honoured each year by the Brisbane Lions when the club presents the Don Smith Most Professional Player Award, named in his honour.
Dean Warren
Hailing from the Gympie Cats, Dean is well regarded as a local boy where brother Glenn still roams the wide spaces of the cattery paddock, and now wears the club President hat. Father Ray and mum Helen are life members of the club after many decades of commitment on committee (Ray as President) and volunteering at the club. Dean is now back in Brisbane and is always a close contact for AFL thought on the Sunshine Coast and when able makes a trip back to his grass roots playing fields.
· An outstanding Queensland servant of Australian football on and off the field, he enjoys the rare distinction of climbing to the top of the tree as a local player before become a senior member of the AFL management team.
· Born in Melbourne but raised in Gympie, he joined Wilston-Grange Football Club in 1986, was a member of the inaugural Brisbane Bears training squad and was on the Bears Supplementary List in ’89.
· Won the 1987 QAFL Colt of the Year award and in the same year was equal runner-up with the great Gary Dempsey to Grogan Medallist Terry Simmonds.
· Went one better in ’93 when he shared the Grogan Medal with Daryl Bourke and Jason Cotter.
· Played 170 senior games with Wilston-Grange and Kedron-Grange in a career highlighted by Kedron-Grange B&F wins in 1992-93 and the club captaincy from 1992-95.
· He represented Queensland six times, including the Bi-Centennial Carnival in Adelaide in 1988, and was deputy vice-captain of the Maroons in 1994 before retiring in ’96.
· Has also worked in football for 21 years – 14 in various game development roles in Queensland before moving to AFL headquarters in Melbourne in 2002 as National Youth Coordinator.
· Was promoted in ’04 to the role of National Participation Manager, responsible for the strategic growth and development of the game at all levels below the AFL competition.
Our huge congratulations are given to these three Sunshine Coast men for their achievement in the game of AFL, within Queensland and recognition in the inaugural AFL Queensland Hall of Fame is just reward.
Last Modified on 25/02/2009 13:30