Stars take final bow
PACK your tissues — it is going to be that sort of an AFL weekend.
Fans at several matches will be saying goodbye to club legends and all-time greats in Round 23.
Hawthorn fans will start the farewell lap for retiring greats tonight when Luke Hodge is feted at the end of his decorated career.
Essendon, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and West Coast supporters will also head along to their matches knowing season-ending losses will also mean the end of the road for favourite sons. And while the Bulldogs are mathematically still in the finals equation, hardheaded supporters know tonight’s trip to Etihad Stadium is all about Bob and Boydy.
When the AFL paired the Hawks and Bulldogs together for Round 23, it could not have imagined it would be the last match for both clubs this season. The winners of the past four grand finals meet in a likely dead rubber — the Hawks are out of contention and the Bulldogs are reliant on other results to keep their premiership defence alive.
So instead, Etihad Stadium will host a grand goodbye for Hodge, Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd. The muchloved trio will retire from the game with premierships, All-Australian jackets and the adoration of their club faithful.
On Sunday, others will follow depending on results.
Essendon, currently sitting eighth, is likely to play on given it hosts lowly Fremantle — giving Jobe Watson and James Kelly the chance for at least one more match.
But given its position at the foot of the finals, it could be the last time Melbourne-based supporters see Watson don the sash.
Fellow Bomber Brent Stanton has also called time, announcing yesterday this will be his last AFL season.
Stanton has played 255 senior games, putting him 13th on the Bombers’ all-time list.
He has recently been playing in Essendon’s VFL side.
St Kilda fans brought Nick Riewoldt to tears last weekend at their final home game of the season, but can head across town to the MCG for another glimpse of the modern-day marvel in action.
And in Perth, Sam Mitchell, Matt Priddis and Sam Butler — with their five premiership medals and two Brownlows — are likely to leave the AFL stage.