Peter Ward, right, pictured with coach Ian Crocker, was inducted into the AFL Masters Hall of Fame.
By Liam Twomey
WHEN Peter Ward was 41 years old he started competing in the Australian Masters Games in Australian Rules.
Twenty two years later, with a number of premierships under his belt Ward is still attending the Masters Games having just returned from a triumphant campaign with this year’s Vic Metro side.
The Caroline Springs resident was the assistant coach of the over-55s and with head coach Ian Crocker led the side to back-to-back premiers.
The 63-year-old was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Masters Sport by being inducted into the AFL Masters Hall of Fame.
“Not too many have done 22 carnivals so they put me into the Hall of Fame. They induct four people each year and had a great function for the night,” Ward said.
“It’s a great honour to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and I’m rapt that we were able to win.
“We went back to back and we had a pretty good side but it was a bit unexpected. We had a couple of youngies in, a couple of 55-year-olds, not like us old blokes.”
Before playing in the Masters Games, Ward played for Footscray in the Super Rules competition and for Watsonia in the then Diamond Valley Football League. He is a life-member of both leagues.
The honours didn’t stop once he started playing in the Masters.
He has won six All Australian selections and one competition best-and-fairest.
“Masters is great. You get to go away for 10 days and the best part is you get to see all parts of Australia.”
In great news for Vic Metro’s hopes of making it a triple premiership celebration next year, Ward said he was keen to be involved with the team for a 23rd year.
“I like to help out and be involved with the players and the team and going down to the rooms and chatting to the boys.”
