Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall will be elevated to legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame, the AFL announced on Monday.
Dunstall will be formally elevated during next month’s Hall of Fame ceremony in Melbourne.
The 59-year-old was first inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
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Dunstall joins an illustrious list of 32 legends, which added Russell Ebert, Merv McIntosh and Jack Oatley in recent years.
“I’m a little overwhelmed at the moment, it’s an incredible privilege. I feel very humble, almost to the point of embarrassment,” Dunstall told media on Monday.
“When you consider there’s just a tick over 30 legends in the game, it’s the highest honour. I feel incredibly grateful to the AFL.
“[Football has] been a massive part of my life and to sit amongst names that are synonymous with the game now, it’s incredibly humbling. I’m very grateful.”
Dunstall represented the brown and gold between 1985 and 1998, establishing himself as one of the greatest full-forwards to ever play the game.
A prolific goalkicker, Dunstall booted 1254 career goals — the third-most in VFL/AFL history behind only Tony Lockett (1360) and Gordon Coventry (1299).
Across 269 games for Hawthorn, Dunstall averaged five goals per game, though the four-time All-Australian starred with double figures on 16 occasions.
His personal-best feat of 17 goals against Richmond at Waverley Park in 1992 has been etched into footy folklore — the second-highest individual tally in a single VFL/AFL game.
The three-time Coleman medallist surpassed the celebrated 100-goal mark in six different seasons, with a career-best total of 145 goals in 1992.
Dunstall’s unerring boot also helped the Hawks claim four premierships during his 13-year career in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991.
He also captained the club in his last four seasons before transitioning into media post-football.
Legend status is bestowed to individuals who have made a significant positive impact on Australian rules football.
The remaining inductees for this year’s Hall of Fame class will be announced at the gala event on June 18.