Tom Hafey
Tom Hafey (born August 5, 1931) is a legendary Australian rules coach and player in the VFL/AFL.
As a player, Hafey had a relatively quiet career as a tough back pocket, playing 67 games and kicking 10 goals between 1953 and 1958 for the Richmond Football Club. After his football career he cut his coaching teeth by coaching Shepparton United Football Club to 3 premierships.
And it was as a coach that Hafey made his mark on the game. Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame during its inauguaration in 1996, Hafey coached four clubs:
- Richmond 1966-1976 (173 wins, 73 losses, 2 draws)
- Collingwood 1977-1982 (89-47-2)
- Geelong 1983-1985 (31-35)
- Sydney Swans 1986-1988 (43-27)
He was a premiership coach four times (1967, 1969, 1973, 1974), all with Richmond. Hafey coached 522 games over his career, a tally exceeded only by Kevin Sheedy (who Hafey coached), Jock McHale and Allan Jeans.
The main ingredient of Hafey's success as a coach was the gruelling pace he set at training for his players. He focused his team on fitness and a simple, direct, long-kicking game plan.
Hafey's passion for fitness still exists today, and every morning he wakes up early and goes for a swim and a run.