Question – Which former Brownlow Medallist and Deakin graduate has recently taken over as President of the AFL football club he once played for?

Answer – Jim Stynes

Jim Stynes graduated from Deakin University with a Diploma of Teaching (Primary) in 1988 and Bachelor of Education in 1989.

Born in Dublin in 1966, Mr Stynes came to Australia in the mid 1980s to embark on a career as an AFL footballer (with no prior knowledge of the game). He played his first senior game in 1987, going on to play 264 games for the Melbourne Football Club. His football career comprised many highlights, including being awarded the prestigious Brownlow Medal, winning the Melbourne Football Club Best and Fairest four times, breaking the VFL/AFL consecutive games record (244) and being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2003 and Melbourne’s Hall of Fame in 2006. He retired from football in 1998.

Off the field, Mr Stynes has dedicated much of his time to helping youth, co-founding the Reach Foundation in 1994. He received an Order of Australia Medal in 2007 for his work with youth and his contribution to AFL football.

He has recently taken up the position of President of the Melbourne Football Club.