PAUL Roos has paid tribute to Australian Football Hall of Fame member and four-time Richmond premiership coach Tom Hafey, who passed away, aged 82, after an illness with cancer.

Roos said Hafey – a much loved and revered figure – was a football person not owned by just one club.

“He [coached] Richmond, Sydney, Collingwood [and Geelong], but some people who pass through football become universally admired by every fan and every club,” he said at AAMI Park on Tuesday.

“When someone like Tommy passes, I don’t think it just hits one footy club – I think it hits everyone, because he was a universally loved character through football.

“I didn’t have a lot to do with him, but when I met him, he was one of those charismatic and interesting guys and just a great person.”

Roos said Hafey’s contribution at the Sydney Swans, when he coached the club from 1986-88 was “absolutely” significant.

“Even when I was playing for Fitzroy and watching them on [television on] Sundays, there was three weeks in a row [from rounds 16 to 18, 1987] when they kicked 30 [or more] goals – they had some enormous talent,” he said.

“They still talk about Tommy and what he did for the club and all of those guys from that era. He had a massive bearing on football in Sydney. He was that pre-Plugger (Tony Lockett) time, when Tony came up there and really lifted the brand.

“I think people had forgotten, prior to [Lockett, the influence Gerard] Healy, Greg Williams and Tommy Hafey [had on the Swans] and it was a big time in footy. We all remember watching those Sunday games when it was packed and they were absolutely flying.

“As a Swans person, [Hafey] was very significant in their history – no question.”

Roos said Hafey’s longevity in the game was one of his greatest achievements.

“When you actually coach, you realise how demanding and difficult it is. For those guys, they were working as well, so to commit to football in that era – and he spanned a number of eras [was a great achievement],” he said.

“I remember doing match committee with Parko (David Parkin) at Fitzroy and we’re getting the fish and chips on a Tuesday night, and I’d be looking at my watch thinking ‘geez boys, what’s going on, it’s bloody 11 o’clock’. So they’re commitment to football is far greater to ours. When I say ours – the coaches now, from a time point of view – they just put an enormous amount of time in around their family and work.

“That’s the thing that hits me, when you read Hafey’s record, he was involved in football for some many years and it’s an enormous commitment.”

Although Roos acknowledged Hafey’s strong ties to Richmond, he said it was important Melbourne produced a strong display against the Tigers at the MCG on Saturday afternoon to recognise his stature in the game.  

“We want to put on a good show for Tommy as well. He’s a football person, so out of respect and what he’s done for football, I’ll mention it to the Melbourne players also, because it’s a significant passing,” he said.

“It’s a significant loss to Tommy’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them all, but for football in general, it’s a big loss.

“Hopefully a lot of fans come and watch – and if you weren’t going to come and watch Melbourne and Richmond – just out of respect to Tom, you can come along and watch a good footy team. But we’ll be honouring him in our own way as well.”

Meanwhile, Roos said key tall James Frawley (toe/hamstring) and defender Dean Terlich (concussion) would be assessed later in the week to determine their availability for round nine.  

“We’ll monitor him (Terlich) during the week,” he said.

“Chip’s (Frawley) toe is OK, but he’s like a few other players … I’d expect Chip to play and then have next weekend off [with the bye].”