Page 8 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

ROBIN HULL
HULL FAREWELLED AFTER 32 YEARS
Staff, friends and family gathered at the Pineapple Hotel in August to celebrate the retirement of AFL Queensland stalwart, Robin “Hully” Hull.
The Talent Development Officer bowed out after a 32-year tenure with AFLQ.
AFLQ Chairman Darryl Bray and current and former colleagues, Murray Bird, Shane Johnson, Bob Batty, Mark Browning, Dean Warren and Rick Hanlon all paid tribute to Hull’s commitment to the growth of Australian Rules football, particularly in regional areas of the state.
Hully was appointed to AFLQ in 1978 as the inaugural schools coaching coordinator at Windsor-Zillmere.
Since then, his football legacy has touched almost every region of the state including Brisbane West, Darling Downs, Cairns, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast.
In the past 12 years, Hully has been a liaison officer with the state under-16 and under-18 teams and also responsible for organising the Queensland Country Championships.
He has seen every Queensland junior from St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt to Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith develop from the juniors into the AFL.
One of Hully’s proudest achievements was the introduction of the Kookaburras programs, which provide a talent pathway for country footballers.
Tack this on top of Hully’s playing record which saw him claim both the 1967 Grogan medal and leading goal-kicker awards and you’ve got a lifelong love affair with football.
In speaking of his time with AFL Queensland, Hully said he was particularly fond of working alongside former AFL Queensland CEO Richard Griffiths (now with Greater Western Sydney), State Talent Manager Bob Batty and AFL Academies Manager Mark Browning.
“It’s all the people you work with. If you get along with them, and they’re all good people, that makes it much easier.”
Hully celebrated his time in the role by naming his “Top Ten” list of players that he’d had a hand in developing.
The Top Ten was selected from players in the last twelve years based not only on their on-field performance but also their attitude and demeanour off the field.
HULLY’S TOP TEN (IN ORDER)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Josh DRUMMOND Gavin URQUHART David ARMITAGE Nathan CLARKE
Daniel MERRETT Wayde MILLS
Jarrod HARBROW Brendan WHITECROSS Brad MILLER
Jake SPENCER
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2012 Year in Review