HALL OF FAME 'LEGENDS'

Towards the end of the Hall of Fame evening on Saturday we announced that three inductees were to be elevated to Legend status. John Blair, Barry Denny and the late Arch Blyth are our first three 'Legends' in the Morningside Panthers Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to the John Blair, Barry Denny and the Blyth family for this tremendous achievement.

JOHN BLAIR:

John Blair’s contribution to Australian football in Queensland is nothing short of extraordinary. A former AFL player with three clubs, he moved to Queensland in 1981 and has been a driving force in the game for more than 30 years as both player and coach.

At AFL level, John was a genuine utility, playing 33 senior games with South Melbourne, Fitzroy, and St Kilda between 1975 and 1980.

In 1981, he accepted the role of Morningside captain-coach in the QAFL - a decision that would shape the future of the Panthers.

Fiercely competitive and commanding at centre half-back, John quickly became one of the league’s most dominant figures.

He won the Grogan Medal in 1982, represented Queensland 19 times during the golden era of the early ’80s, and featured in nine grand finals, taking Morningside to the big stage in 1982, 1983, and 1984.

After a stint coaching Queensland’s Under-18 side, John returned to Morningside in 2002 to lead a new era of success.

Over the next decade, he guided the Panthers to seven grand finals, never finishing lower than third after 2002. Under his leadership, the club claimed premierships in 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2010.

 His influence extended beyond team success - John helped develop a generation of young Queensland players, many of whom went on to play AFL and represent their state.

John was named in our Team of Legends 1950-2000 and in recognition of his remarkable service, John was honoured with Life Membership, inducted into the Queensland Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and elevated to Legend status in 2013.

A player, a coach, a mentor - John Blair’s legacy is one of excellence and impact that will endure for generations.

BARRY DENNY:

Barry joined Morningside in 1971 as a talented 17-year-old from South Brisbane, already a Best & Fairest winner and Queensland Teal Cup representative. He quickly made his mark, winning Morningside’s Best & Fairest in 1972 and 1976, and finishing runner-up in the 1973 Grogan Medal.

In 1975, Barry represented Queensland in a landmark victory over Tasmania at the Gabba – a defining moment for state football. Two years later, he became Morningside’s first VFL recruit, joining Melbourne and playing 22 games across three injury-affected seasons. After a stint with Mitcham in the EDFL, he returned to the Panthers in 1981.

Barry’s senior playing career spanned 11 seasons, including seven with Morningside. Though injuries led to early retirement at 28, his contribution only deepened. He became assistant playing coach to John Blair, coached the Under 19s and senior team, served as a runner, and sat on the club’s inaugural board.

He also helped fundraise through the Old Boys Committee and co-coached Morningside’s first women’s team in 1972 – a pioneering move.

Off the field, Barry’s civil engineering expertise shaped the club’s infrastructure, from carparks to field grading and future planning. His legacy is literally built into the club’s foundations.

Barry’s journey was shared with his late wife Marie, whose love for the club matched his own. Together, they built lifelong friendships and helped foster the community spirit that defines Morningside.

Barry’s achievements have been recognised at the highest levels: Life Membership at Morningside, selection in the Team of Legends (1950–2000), and induction into the Queensland Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He proudly represented Queensland eight times and remains one of the state’s earliest VFL success stories.

ARCH BLYTH:

Arch’s journey with Morningside began in 1954 when he arrived from Victoria to play senior football. After two seasons on the field, he retired at the end of 1955 - but that was just the beginning of his incredible contribution to the club. Arch moved into administration and quickly became a driving force behind innovation. He was part of the team that introduced coaches into schools to promote both the club and the game of Australian Football - a first for any QAFL club.

Arch didn’t just talk about growing the game - he made it happen. He personally picked up players from schools, brought them to training, and drove them home afterward. He ran Sunday morning skill sessions to sharpen kicking and handball skills, and for years served as the club’s delegate to QAFL meetings, ensuring Morningside was treated fairly and never pushed around by the bigger, more established clubs.

His leadership reached new heights when he became club president, a role he held between 1967 and 1977, while also stepping in as treasurer in 1975. During his presidency, Arch showed remarkable vision - organising young men to pursue business studies at night school so they could become future administrators and paying for their education out of his own pocket.

Arch’s hands-on approach was legendary. Alongside Jack Hawkins, he played a major role in building the original clubhouse we sit in tonight. A plumber by trade, Arch did all the plumbing work voluntarily and coordinated the army of volunteers who helped make the dream a reality.

His service to the club spanned more than 35 years, earning him the AFL Merit Award -the first ever for Morningside - along with Life Membership. Today, the dressing room complex proudly bears his name. A longtime bachelor who married late, Arch’s greatest love was this football club. His devotion, his vision, and his tireless work advanced Morningside in ways that will never be forgotten.