The AFL Players’ Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Madden Medal - a special new award recognising the achievements and contributions of retiring AFL players.
 
Named in honour of former AFLPA Presidents and champion Essendon and Carlton players, Simon and Justin Madden, the Madden Medal recognises outstanding achievement on and off the field by an AFL player over the entire course of his career.
 

The inaugural recipient of the Madden Medal will be announced at a celebratory function on Thursday December the 13th at Zinc in Melbourne’s Federation Square.

 

The Madden Medal lunch will play tribute to all retiring AFL players, who are embarking on the next phase of their lives, celebrating the skill, effort and commitment required to play AFL football.

 

Four awards will be presented to players bowing out of the game, including; The Football Achievement Award, Personal Development Award & Community Spirit Award.  The three accolades culminate into the Madden Medal.

 

The on and off-field contributions of 2007 season retiring players will be recognised at the lunch, including football icons such as James Hird, Nathan Buckley, Mark Ricciuto, Glenn Archer, Anthony Koutoufides and Chris Grant as well as the games lower profile ‘foot soldiers’, whose contribution to the community will also be duly celebrated.

 

Upon the Medal’s launch, AFLPA CEO Brendon Gale said, “The Madden Medal is a terrific new initiative aimed at celebrating and recognising excellence on and of the field.  2007 has seen the retirement of some giants of the game and there could not have been a more fitting year to launch this important new award.  The Madden Medal will be an annual award recognising the achievements of retiring AFL players whilst honouring both Simon and Justin Madden, whose deeds set a standard for excellence.” 

 

“The Madden Medal recognises the outstanding contribution which many AFL players make to football, family and the community, and is a fitting celebration for those players to have left an indelible mark on and off the field.” Gale said.