Four-time premiership coach Kevin Sheedy has been inducted into Essendon's Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.
Sheedy coached the Bombers for 27 years and won premierships with the club in 1994, 1985, 1993 and 2000.
The 60-year-old joined the Bombers in 1981, before leaving the club at the completion of the 2007 season having coached the club on 635 occasions.
An emotional Sheedy said it was an honour to become the 17th person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, especially considering he barracked for the Bombers as a youngster.
"In the end you have to say your dreams were pretty much fulfilled to be able to coach the team you barracked for at a young age," Sheedy said.
"So I appreciate being inducted as a Legend in the Essendon Hall of Fame from my upbringing - something that my mother and father would not have perhaps realised."
"I tried my hardest and I had a lot of fun and, in the end, personally, I would love to thank the club for giving me the chance of my life."
Essendon chairman Ray Horsburgh presented Sheedy with the honour and said it was a privilege to induct the former coach into the Hall of Fame.
"Essendon places great value on its heritage and tradition and it's important we recognise the people that have made this club great," Horsburgh said.
"From Alex McCracken and Bill Cookson through to the likes of Jack Clarke and Dick Reynolds - they have all made an enormous contribution club but it is arguable that none have had a greater impact than Kevin Sheedy."
"He is indeed a legend of this club and it is with great pleasure that we induct him into the Hall of Fame."
The current 17 legends of the Essendon Football Club are:
Bill Busbridge, John Coleman, Tom Fitzmaurice, Bill Hutchison, Dick Reynolds, Jack Clarke, Terry Daniher, Simon Madden, Tim Watson, Ken Fraser, Frank Reid, Albert Thurgood, Barry Davis, Bill Cookson, Alan Hird (Snr), Alex McCracken and Kevin Sheedy.