Dual premiership player Brett James and inaugural Crow Rodney Maynard have been inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The pair was recognised as part of the SANFL’s Magarey Medal count at Adelaide Oval on Monday night, joining fellow Crows greats including Mark Ricciuto, Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Ben Hart and Chris McDermott on the honour roll.

Originally from Norwood, James played 76 games in four seasons with the Crows after a three-year stint at Collingwood.

The skilful midfielder/defender returned to South Australia in 1997 was part of Adelaide’s first premiership campaign. He played a pivotal role the following season, kicking 15 goals for the year including six in finals, to help the Club to back-to-back flags.

A premiership player at Norwood in 1997, James returned to The Parade after being delisted by the Crows in 2000. He played over 200 games for the Redlegs and captained the side between 2002 and 2006.

Also from Norwood, Maynard was part of Adelaide’s inaugural team in 1991 that upset Hawthorn at Football Park.

Maynard booted three goals on debut and had kicked 159 goals in 157 games in seven seasons with the Redlegs, but was used primarily as a defender through his five-year stint at West Lakes.

The 188cm, 80kg wheat farmer played every game in his first two years, was the first Crow to reach 50 games, and won the Club’s first-ever Best Team Man award.

Injuries restricted Maynard to just five games in 1995 and he retired from AFL football at the end of the season after 81 games and 24 goals for the Crows.

He returned to country club Lameroo in the Mallee Football League where he played over 200 games, won 10 best and fairests and seven premierships.

Long-time SANFL Commissioner Leigh Whicker, Sturt icon John Paynter and Port Adelaide stalwart Tim Ginever were the night’s other inductees.

The South Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 2002 and now features 199 of the state’s greatest players, administrators, umpires and media identities.


Brett James played 76 games for Adelaide from 1997-2000