AFL Canberra is excited to announce that five new members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2026, with another member elevated to Legend status on Friday 3rd of July 2026.
Our five inductees for 2026 are Hannah Kelly, Alan Smith, Luke Jess, Terry O’Kane and Chris Rourke.
Hannah Kelly – Player, Queanbeyan Tigers
Hannah was the second Tigerette to ever sign with the club in 2010 and was a driving force who assisted in growing the women's program at the Tigers. Hannah played 134 games for the Tigers, captaining the team from 2013 to 2018, winning three Division 2 Premierships, two First Grade Premierships, and was a two-time Best & Fairest winner. Along her journey, Hannah was a squad member of the GWS Giants AFLW team, joined SANFL Club Norwood in 2019, and was then drafted to the Gold Coast Suns in 2020. Her qualities both on and off the field led her to be named Co-Captain in 2021 and sole Captain in 2022 for the Gold Coast Suns. After 2022, Hannah signed with Port Adelaide, where she then retired at the end of 2024 after a career total of 45 AFLW games. A premiership player, captain, Best & Fairest winner, and leader at the highest level, her impact on our club and on women’s football as a whole will be felt for generations!
Alan Smith – Player, Ainslie Tricolours
Alan ‘Scud’ Smith was the youngest of the three Smith brothers that included Charlie and Martin. Charlie, Martin and Scud are deeply entrenched in the history of the Ainslie Football Club, amassing 656 first grade games between them, all playing over 200 games.
A five-time premiership player for Ainslie, and an ACT representative player on many occasions, opponents rarely got away from Smith. This included some of the biggest names in football. Smith was a star in the ACT’s most memorable game against the representative VFL team in 1980. In that match which the ACT won by 13 points at Manuka oval, Smith nullified the great Malcolm Blight, the 1978 Brownlow Medallist.
It was no secret in the mid-1970s that scouts from the VFL were more than interested in luring Smith to Melbourne. That wasn’t for Smith, he was happy in Canberra. Certainly, no delusions of grandeur for the youngest of the Smith boys despite his enormous talent. Smith may well have found the going difficult in Melbourne, not because of a lack of ability as that was never in question, but because his training habits would have tested coaches. On more than one occasion, Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale, himself not renowned for his commitment to training in the later years of his career, lamented Smith’s approach to training.
After Smith had finished playing football and retired from the Public Service, he pulled up stumps in Canberra and moved to the warmer climate of northern New South Wales at South-West Rocks. A small contingent of ex-Ainslie mates also calls that region home and Smith, as with all his Ainslie mates, maintained his connection with the Club.
Luke Jess - Player, Tuggeranong
Luke Jess played his entire senior career at the Tuggeranong Football Club. Jess debuted in First Grade as a 17-year-old in 1993, captained First grade from 1997-2003 before retiring in 2005. Luke has the honour of becoming the first Tuggeranong player to play over 200 games at the club. His stellar performances were recognised being awarded the Mulrooney Medal in 2003.
Luke has a natural football athleticism, is a great game strategist and unassuming captain. Luke's excellent skills and a high work rate saw him lead by example both with his actions and words. Luke’s ball winning ability made him one of the very best players in the AFL Canberra competition. He was a fierce competitor and did not seek out individual honours preferring to deflect praise onto others.
Not only does Luke have a superb 'football head' but he has served our club as coach and assistant coach of junior and senior teams as his daughters have come through the ranks. Jess has the excellent ability to build a rapport with his players and teach the game to/at all age groups/levels of ability.
He has leveraged his professional and work career skills to have a guiding role on the TVAFNC Board, being elected in 2018 as Vice-President and held Directorships across Corporate/Strategy and Sponsorship through to 2024. Luke has been instrumental in the vision for TVAFNC football hub in our quest to pursue dedicated AFL grounds, changerooms and facilities for our club.
Luke is now a stalwart of the Tuggeranong Masters competition entered into the 2025 and 2026 competitions.
Luke is highly respected and leads with a quiet confidence. Never confrontational, never self-serving and always respectful and polite to others and their views.
Luke continues as a model player, coach and clubman for our junior and senior AFL players alike.
Michael Cliff - Club President in 2005 said:
"There are many significant moments in the life of a club. Our incorporation, the privilege to compete, the privilege to help develop people to the best they can and to participate in milestones. Luke’s achievement is one of those moments that are not only significant but also help to define a Club and its culture. His commitment, leadership and ability have been admired by many, and I am sure will be for many years to come.”
Kevin “Cowboy” Neale in 2005 said:
“Courage and character are the qualities that this Club was built on, examples of these qualities that you Luke constantly displayed will remain forever in the memories of everyone that has seen you play our great game and especially those players fortunate enough to have played with you.”
Terry O’Kane - Player, Belconnen Magpies
A talented and committed footballer, Terry O’Kane, or TOK as he is affectionately known, built a reputation across the ACT as a dependable and highly skilled player during an outstanding career with the Magpies. His contribution to the club stretched across more than a decade, from 1990 to 1996 and again from 1998 to 2006, an extraordinary period of service and consistency.
In an era when loyalty in football was treasured, O’Kane became synonymous with the black, white and teal jumper. Whether lining up in senior football or mentoring younger teammates around the club, he embodied the hard-working spirit that has long defined Belconnen football.
Terry O’Kane began his footballing journey with West Canberra Junior Football Club as a young player and later played for Belconnen Magpies after graduating to senior football. He is credited with 225 matches across all grades, including an impressive 196 senior games, a remarkable achievement that places him among the most dedicated players in Magpies history. His durability, commitment and passion for the contest made him one of the club’s most respected figures throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Terry was admired not only for his football ability but also for the professionalism and standards he brought to the team environment. Teammates and supporters remember him as a player who led by example, fearless in the contest, composed under pressure and consistently willing to put the team first. Terry is also a triple first-grade premiership player, playing a key role in the powerhouse Belconnen teams that captured consecutive premierships in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and he won the Club’s Best and Fairest in 2005.
His impact extended beyond club football. Terry O’Kane has been an ACT representative player, underscoring the regard in which he was held across Canberra football circles. Representing the ACT is an honour reserved for elite performers, and it reflected the quality and consistency he demonstrated throughout his career.
Recognition for Terry’s contribution to the Magpies came formally in 2005, when he was awarded Life Membership, acknowledging years of outstanding service to the club. His standing within Belconnen football was further elevated in 2019, when he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, one of the highest honours the Magpies can bestow.
These honours cemented what many at the club already knew: Terry O’Kane was more than a talented footballer. He was a cornerstone of the Belconnen Magpies’ culture.
The story of clubs like the Magpies is built on people like Terry O’Kane, players who commit year after year, inspire teammates and help set a standard for future generations. His legacy remains part of the proud history of the Belconnen Magpies AFL club, and his name is still spoken with respect among the great players of the black, white and teal.
Chris Rourke – Coach, Ainslie Tricolours
Chris Rourke was appointed Ainslie Club Coach in 2007, a position he held until the end of the 2020 season. His tenure as Coach of Ainslie represents the longest senior coaching career in the club’s 99-year history during which he led the club to six premierships, more than any other Ainslie Football Club coach. As a Coach, Rourke has given so much of his time to Australian Football with over thirty years' experience in leading teams in senior competitions including clubs in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. His tenure at Ainslie saw Rourke led the club to six premierships and has been recognised as the AFL NSW/ACT Coach of the Year in 2011 as well as the Coach of the AFL Canberra Team of the Year in 2016.
Anyone who knew Rourke would know he had a reputation for being a fierce competitor, not one willing to take a backward step in leading his players and more than willing to give his players a spray when they were not delivering to the standard required. But, once the final siren had sounded, Rourke’s fierce competitiveness was equalled by his concern for the welfare of others. In this regard, Rourke was also known as the type of individual who would call and check-up on other people, players or coaches, including from other clubs. Rourke was well known for supporting equality and development in Australian Rules through his promotion and encouragement of female involvement and taking time to assist in the development of junior coaches.
His mentorship as a coach was highly regarded by his players and assistant coaches. Assistant coaches under Rourke went on to Coach in other AFL competitions including the SANFL and Ovens & Murray Leagues and the AFL Canberra competition where those individuals also enjoyed success.
The Ainslie Football Club, AFL Canberra and the broader Australian Football Community has collectively benefitted from the more than three decades of service provided to the sport by Chris Rourke.
Our Legend elevation for 2026 is Brian Quade, player and coach from both Manuka Football Club and Queanbeyan Tigers.
Brian Quade – Player/Coach, Manuka and Queanbeyan Tigers
Brian Quade was Senior Coach from 1984 to 1993, leading the Queanbeyan Tigers through a successful era in Tigers history, with four premierships and a run of eight consecutive Grand Finals. Brian played a key role in developing the culture, spirit, belief, and standards that remain at the heart of the Tigers today. His impact extended beyond the Tigers, with significant contributions to representative football and the development of the game across the region. Brian's success came not only from his football knowledge but from his ability to build strong foundations with his players, instil belief in his teams, and create an environment where players wanted to be and succeed.
Brian Quade had successful coaching periods at East Wagga in the Riverina Football League and with Manuka Football Club in AFL Canberra before joining the Queanbeyan Tigers as 1st Grade Coach in 1984.
Following this appointment Quade guided the Club into its first AFL Canberra Grand Final in 24 years, winning the flag in a thrilling triumph over the highly fancied Ainslie Tricolours. From 1985 to 1992 he led the Tigers into a record equalling eight successive grand finals for four premierships in 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1991.
During his time with the Club, Quade also coached the AFL Canberra Representative team on many occasions with considerable success, winning the Fosters Shield in 1986; a competition involving Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales.
When Quade officially announced his retirement from the Queanbeyan senior grade coaching role at the completion of the 1993 First Semi Final there were few dry eyes amongst the many players, supporters and officials who were crammed into the rooms to hear the final words of this great man. The air was full of emotion as a number of Club Officials spoke highly of the “Quade Factor” in the club which extended beyond the playing field to the administration of the club and counselling of young players.
His ten years of guiding the Tigers through its most successful period will not be forgotten. Quade has remained actively involved in the organisation in various capacities including committee, Chairman of Selectors and ruck coach.
His personal qualities and his long involvement in the game of Australian football were recognised in 1997 by the AFL, he was appointed as a Director on the AFL NSW\ACT Commission and as Chairperson of the ACT/Sapphire Coast Regional Board. These two important bodies were responsible for the development of the game throughout NSW.
Life Membership and admittance to the Tigers Wall of Fame in addition to the Australian Sports Medal are individual awards received in recognition of his valuable contribution to our game.
Event Details
The AFL Canberra Hall of Fame event will be held on Friday 3rd of July at EPC Solar Park Community Room from 6pm. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the following link: 2026 AFL Canberra Hall of Fame Induction Tickets, Friday 3 July • 6 PM - 8 PM | Eventbrite.