Aaron Hamill
Encyclopedia
Aaron "Sammy" Hamill is a former professional Australian rules football
er who is best known for his time at the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League
when he briefly captained the club.
As a player, Hamill's courage could never be questioned. His ferocity at he football often earned the ire from opposition football fans, but his team mates and opposition players respected his playing style.
, rugby union
and basketball
as a junior, Aaron Hamill first played Australian rules football in the Australian Capital Territory
for the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club
. Aaron attended Fadden Primary School, Marist College, Melrose High School and Phillip College (now Canberra College). Aaron went to Melrose High School
with Essendon and Richmond player Justin Blumfield
.
, with the 79th overall pick. Making his senior debut in 1996 with the Carlton Blues, Hamill was a favourite among supporters for his strong marking and goalkicking. He is known as "Hammer" or "Sammy". He was a key part of the Blues 1997 pre-season premiership side and was also part of Carlton's runner up team in 1999. He played with Carlton from 1996–2000 with 92 games and 114 goals. At the end of the 2000 season he was traded to St Kilda after having an argument with Carlton president John Elliott
.
and Steven Lawrence
.
He was named captain of the Saints for the 2003 season and his influence for the team was unquestionable. He had a tough, uncompromising style, always committing himself to the contest. As a result he sustained many injuries over his career, and midway through 2005 he missed a large part of the season with an assortment of hip, shoulder, and knee injuries. Due to the same array of injuries, he missed the entire 2007 season. Doctors advised Hamill that he should retire from the game due to the toll it takes on his body. Although he had the desire to continue, many coaches and medicos told him he was unable to continue. After seeking a trade mid season, he decided to retire, closing the book on an illustrious career at both Carlton and St. Kilda.
Hamill played 190 AFL matches with Carlton and St Kilda. In a career crippled by injury towards the end, he was remembered for his uncompromising attack on the football. He was a member of preseason premiership sides at both clubs.
"The decision to retire has been one of the hardest to make in my football career. However, I felt it was in the best interest of the club moving forward," Hamill said. "This will now allow a younger player to step up and cement themselves in the St Kilda side.
"I would like to thank my family and close friends for their support over the journey. I am grateful to the Carlton Football Club for providing me with the opportunity to play and develop as a footballer," he said.
"Their inspirational leaders taught me to crave success and dedication to a cause, which will stay with me forever. I would also like to express my gratitude to Grant Thomas whose efforts did not go unnoticed by the playing group during his six years as coach. I wish Ross Lyon and the St Kilda Football Club all the best moving forward and hope that the current playing group will achieve the ultimate success."
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon reflected on Hamill's contribution to the club. "Aaron is a tremendously respected figure and he has played a significant role in getting this team to where it stands today. We all wish him the best in his retirement as he prepares for life after footy".
Playing honours:
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who is best known for his time at the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
when he briefly captained the club.
As a player, Hamill's courage could never be questioned. His ferocity at he football often earned the ire from opposition football fans, but his team mates and opposition players respected his playing style.
Early life
Having played rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
, rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
as a junior, Aaron Hamill first played Australian rules football in the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
for the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club
Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club
The Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club is a semi-professional, community based Australian Rules Football club based in Tuggeranong, Australian Capital Territory...
. Aaron attended Fadden Primary School, Marist College, Melrose High School and Phillip College (now Canberra College). Aaron went to Melrose High School
Melrose High School (Canberra)
Melrose High School is a government school located in the Canberra suburb of Pearce. It serves years 7 through to 10. The school's name is taken from an old property that was located in the Woden area, which in turn was named after the town called Melrose in Scotland...
with Essendon and Richmond player Justin Blumfield
Justin Blumfield
Justin Blumfield is a former Australian rules football player of the Essendon and the Richmond Football Clubs. His career began in 1996 when he debuted for the Essendon Bombers. He was one of Essendon's consistent players in the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002...
.
Carlton Football Club
Hamill was recruited late in the 1994 AFL Draft1994 AFL Draft
The 1994 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 1994 there...
, with the 79th overall pick. Making his senior debut in 1996 with the Carlton Blues, Hamill was a favourite among supporters for his strong marking and goalkicking. He is known as "Hammer" or "Sammy". He was a key part of the Blues 1997 pre-season premiership side and was also part of Carlton's runner up team in 1999. He played with Carlton from 1996–2000 with 92 games and 114 goals. At the end of the 2000 season he was traded to St Kilda after having an argument with Carlton president John Elliott
John Elliott (businessman)
John Dorman Elliott is a former president of the Liberal Party, and former president of Carlton Football Club. In 2003 he was found guilty of trading while insolvent and in 2005 declared bankrupt...
.
St Kilda Football Club
At the end of 2000 he moved to St Kilda, among other big name signings, such as Fraser GehrigFraser Gehrig
Fraser Gehrig is a retired Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League who played for the St Kilda Football Club and the West Coast Eagles...
and Steven Lawrence
Steven Lawrence
Steven James Lawrence is an Australian rules footballer. He is the son of former St Kilda star Barry Lawrence.-Brisbane career:...
.
He was named captain of the Saints for the 2003 season and his influence for the team was unquestionable. He had a tough, uncompromising style, always committing himself to the contest. As a result he sustained many injuries over his career, and midway through 2005 he missed a large part of the season with an assortment of hip, shoulder, and knee injuries. Due to the same array of injuries, he missed the entire 2007 season. Doctors advised Hamill that he should retire from the game due to the toll it takes on his body. Although he had the desire to continue, many coaches and medicos told him he was unable to continue. After seeking a trade mid season, he decided to retire, closing the book on an illustrious career at both Carlton and St. Kilda.
Retirement
On 3 October 2007 Hamill announced his retirement from AFL football.Hamill played 190 AFL matches with Carlton and St Kilda. In a career crippled by injury towards the end, he was remembered for his uncompromising attack on the football. He was a member of preseason premiership sides at both clubs.
"The decision to retire has been one of the hardest to make in my football career. However, I felt it was in the best interest of the club moving forward," Hamill said. "This will now allow a younger player to step up and cement themselves in the St Kilda side.
"I would like to thank my family and close friends for their support over the journey. I am grateful to the Carlton Football Club for providing me with the opportunity to play and develop as a footballer," he said.
"Their inspirational leaders taught me to crave success and dedication to a cause, which will stay with me forever. I would also like to express my gratitude to Grant Thomas whose efforts did not go unnoticed by the playing group during his six years as coach. I wish Ross Lyon and the St Kilda Football Club all the best moving forward and hope that the current playing group will achieve the ultimate success."
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon reflected on Hamill's contribution to the club. "Aaron is a tremendously respected figure and he has played a significant role in getting this team to where it stands today. We all wish him the best in his retirement as he prepares for life after footy".
Career stats
Aaron Hamill – Career Stats:- Career games: 192
- Career goals: 239
- Brownlow Medal: career votes 22.
Playing honours:
- Third in St Kilda's best and fairest 2001;
- St Kilda AFL WHL Cup Winning side 2004;
- Carlton pre-season premiership side 1997;
- St Kilda captain 2003.