ICON – Player Inductee
Glenorchy/Hawthorn/Brisbane/Brisbane Reserves/North Melbourne Reserves/Sydney Swans/Western Bulldogs
> 229 games, 46 goals, Hawthorn, 1976-87
> 30 games, three goals, Brisbane, 1988-90
> Hawthorn premierships, 1976, 1978, 1983 and 1986
> Coached Brisbane Bears Reserves premiership, 1991
> Coached North Melbourne Reserves premiership, 1995
> Coached Sydney, 1996-2002 (including AFL grand final loss to North Melbourne, 1996)
> Coached Western Bulldogs, 2005
> Glenorchy premiership, 1975
> Represented Tasmanian and Victorian state teams
> Tasmanian State of Origin coach
In 1975 Rodney Eade’s senior football career began with a state premiership with the Peter Hudson-led Glenorchy. In little time the elusive wingman nicknamed ‘Rocket’ was, following Huddo’s advice, in the brown and gold of Hawthorn.
After playing in a premiership side in his first season he enjoyed further success with the Hawks in 1978, 1983 and 1986 in a playing career of more than 250 senior games. In 1988 he was also honoured by his home state for the first time when named captain of the Tasmanian team that competed in the bicentennial National Carnival.
Following a successful coaching apprenticeship with Brisbane and North Melbourne, ‘Rocket’ took over the Sydney Swans in 1996 and led them into their first senior grand final in 50 years. Rodney Eade continues today as coach of the emerging Western Bulldogs outfit and this may yet prove to be his greatest challenge as he aims for the ultimate football triumph, an AFL premiership.
Eade is amongst the longest serving AFL coaches and following three consecutive preliminary final appearances with the Western Bulldogs in 2008, 2009 and 2010 he continues as one of the most highly regarded leaders in the game.
In recognition of the high regard in which he is held by the Tasmanian football community, he was chosen in the Tasmanian Team of the Century on the wing. First inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in 2005, he was elevated to Legend upon being inducted and deservedly joins the pantheon of Icons in 2011.
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