Which group of retiring players is more impressive, 2007 or 2017?
BUCKLEY, Hird and Archer v Hodge, Riewoldt and Mitchell. There is no doubt that the retirement classes of 2007 and 2017 are two of the all-time greats. But which one is the best ever? HAVE YOUR SAY.
EVERY year the AFL farewells a swag of champion players who have helped shape the game for well over a decade.
But no matter how many stars say their goodbyes, no cluster of retirements has ever come close to the star-studded class of 2007.
That group featured a stunning array of Brownlow Medal winners, premiership captains, Norm Smith Medallists and icons of the game.
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But do we finally have a group who can, at the very least, compete with the might of 07?
When eligible, Luke Hodge, Nick Riewoldt and Sam Mitchell will walk into the AFL’s Hall of Fame following their stunning careers.
Brownlow Medal winner Matt Priddis retires as potentially one of the most under-rated midfielders of the decade. Steve Johnson is a three-time premiership player, three-time All-Australian and a North Smith Medal winner whose on-field flare was topped only by his game changing brilliance.
Jobe Watson farewells the game as a great of the Essendon Football Club, both for his on-field heroics and for the way he led the club during its darkest period.
Bob Murphy is arguably the most likeable person to ever pull on a football jumper but he has also been a star for the Western Bulldogs, both as a player and leader. He retires a 300-game player and All-Australian captain.
Josh Gibson’s influence at Hawthorn can be summed up by the fact he won two best-and-fairests in premiership years. After starting at North Melbourne, the defender departs with 225 games, three premierships and an All-Australian nod to go with his Peter Crimmins Medals.
Scott Thompson and Matthew Boyd both have a swag of best-and-fairest and All-Australian gongs and leave the game as greats.
Throughout their stunning careers, the above 10 champions have combined for:
2840 - Games
15 - Premierships
3 - Norm Smith Medals
24 - All-Australian selections
23 - Club Best and Fairest Awards
7 - Club Captains
2 - Rising Star Winners
But even with so much success, do these guys really stand a chance against the legendary class of 2007, which since saying farewell to the game 10 years ago, has been unrivalled.
These are the legends who made that group so special:
NATHAN BUCKLEY
While he never got his hands on that elusive premiership medal, AFL hall of fame member Nathan Buckley did everything else. And we mean everything.
His trophy cabinet is home to a club record six Magpie best and fairest awards, seven all-Australians, a Brownlow Medal and a Rising Star trophy.
While he came up short on Grand Final day, he did take home the 2002 Norm Smith Medal in a losing team, another rare feat.
MARK RICCIUTO
Mark Ricciuto made his first All-Australian side in 1994 and his final one in 2005.
Sandwiched in between that were 12 years of brilliance.
The star Crow finished with eight All-Australian gongs and was twice named captain of the best of the best.
He secured a Brownlow Medal in 2003, was a three-time Adelaide best and fairest winner and played in the club’s 1998 premiership side.
Ricciuto retired after 312 games and 292 goals.
JAMES HIRD
When it came to bringing it at the big moments, few were better than James Hird. This was highlighted at the 2000 Grand Final when the then Essendon skipper was awarded the Norm Smith Medal.
Over his 253-game career, Hird made five All-Australian teams, won five club best and fairests and was also a member of the Baby Bombers premiership side in 1993.
He is well known for his Brownlow Medal, three Anzac Day Medals and his place in Essendon’s team of the century but perhaps a forgotten Hird stat, twice he finished seasons as the Bombers’ leading goal kicker.
CHRIS GRANT
The 2007 class had three Brownlow Medal winners but it could have so easily had another. Chris Grant polled the most votes in the 1997 Brownlow but was ineligible because of a suspension. It takes nothing away from his glittering career though, which included three All-Australian selections, two Bulldogs best and fairest awards and a five-year stint as club captain. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES
No one will ever forget Anthony Koutoufides sprinting down the wing, picking the ball up with one hand, breaking a tackle and then racing away. Kouta’s career was just as stunning to watch, with the individual highlight coming in 2000 when he was awarded the AFLPA MVP. He was also All-Australian that year, one of two selections during his career. Koutoufides retired after 278 games, with his resume also showing Carlton captain, club leading goal kicker and two-time club best and fairest winner.
GLENN ARCHER
Has there ever been a tougher player to pull on a jumper than Glenn Archer? We don’t think so. However, next to the stories of Archer’s courage, it should never be forgotten just how good a player he was. Across his 311-game career he was a six-time North Melbourne best and fairest winner and a three time All-Australian. He also played in two premierships, winning the 1996 Norm Smith Medal.
LUKE DARCY
Just like Chris Grant, Luke Darcy did it all at the Western Bulldogs, and then some.
Across his 226-game career, Darcy was an All-Australian and a club best and fairest winner.
However, his most impressive moment was in 2002 when he took out the AFLPA MVP award after a stellar season.
THE OTHER STARS OF 07
Chris Johnson — 264 games, two-time All-Australian, three-time premiership player.
James Clement — 230 games, two-time All-Australian, two-time best-and-fairest winner.
Scott Camporeale — 252 games, All-Australian, best-and-fairest winner and premiership player.
Byron Pickett — 204 games, Norm Smith Medal, All-Australian, two-time premiership player.
THE WILDCARDS WHO COULD GIVE 2017 THE EDGE
Regardless of whether any more champions call it a day in 2017, this year’s motorcade of retiring players on Grand Final Day will be worth the price of admission alone.
But there are still a couple of wildcards in play who could swing the balance of power.
WHAT IF GAZ CALLS IT A DAY?
Earlier in the year Gary Ablett said this could be his final season in the AFL, failing to commit to seeing out the last year of his deal with the Gold Coast.
If Ablett left the game that would be a two-time premiership player, two-time Brownlow Medal winner, five-time AFLPA MVP, eight-time All-Australian and five-time club best and fairest joining the likes of Hodge, Mitchell, Riewoldt and co.
Originally published as Which group of retiring players is more impressive, 2007 or 2017?