SEWELL, Greg

Greg Sewell was a strong, game and versatile player who came from Monash Rovers in the Essendon District League to the Under 19s in 1950. He was a good team player, a good mark and was pacy and skilful on the wing. He later switched to the half-forward flank and then to the back pocket.

As a wingman he formed a formidable centreline with Jack Clarke and Reg Burgess and he was selected in the State side in 1957.

Sewell was on the wing in the losing 1957 Grand Final team and on the half-forward flank in the 1959 Grand Final team (which also lost). He was also a member of the Reserves premiership team in 1952.

Sewell scored second top Brownlow Medal votes at Essendon in 1960 and also won the Most Improved Player award in 1953, the Best Utility Player award in 1955 and 1958 and the Most Consistent Player award in 1957.

When he left Essendon, he became captain-coach of Kyneton from 1962 to 1964 and captained the Bendigo League team that won the Country Championship in 1962.

Sewell returned to Essendon in 1965 and served the Club in many capacities, including one game as caretaker coach. He was assistant coach of the seniors and coach of the Reserves taking them to a premiership in 1968.

He then served on the committee from 1969 until 1976 and was elected President in 1981, a position he held until 1987, overseeing the back-to-back premierships of 1984 and 1985.

His father, Sid, served as vice-president and patron in the 1930s and later served on the Committee from 1961 to 1965.

Greg Sewell’s outstanding contribution to football was recognised by his Life Membership of the AFL in 2000.

He was inducted into the Essendon Hall of Fame as the 18th Essendon Legend in 2009.