Shane Crawford retires - Post tributes in this thread ...

[Birchustar]

Star Hawthorn midfielder Shane Crawford has announced his retirement only weeks after agreeing to terms with the Hawks for the 2009 season.
Crawford was initially keen to extend his career for another year after the young Hawks surprised everyone with a brilliant win over more highly-fancied Geelong in this year’s epic Grand Final.
However, a period of soul-searching away from the emotion of the drought-breaking premiership win has yielded a change of heart for the veteran.



"The recent break and distance away from the game has enabled me to re-think what I wanted to achieve in footy - and the answer is that I have achieved what I had hoped, when I set out," he said.
"Winning a premiership with Hawthorn has been the highlight of my career. I am proud to have represented one club and will look back at everything we have achieved over my 17 years at the Hawks with fond memories."
Crawford calls time on a stellar 305 game career that began in 1993 and went over 17 seasons and included a Brownlow Medal in 1999 and four Club Champion awards.
The 2008 season saw Crawford battling knee tendinitis and struggle to get his body up week in and week out for the rigours of AFL football. Crawford was keen to go out in the best way possible.
"Having some time to reflect; standing on the podium on Grand Final day as premiers had always been my ultimate goal. It is a great way to go out of the game – on a high, with a premiership medal, at a time of my choosing, " he said.
"The Club have been fantastic through this time and I can’t thank them enough for their support in letting me come to my own decision."
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson had nothing but praise for the retiring star.
"Crawf has been an outstanding role model to so many in the game, " he said.
"He was still one of the best trainers and he can stand tall knowing that he gave every last drop for the Hawthorn Football Club. He has wrung the towel dry and he can walk away proud, having played his part."





source - http://sportal.com.au/AFL-news-displ...-retires-60090

bloody legend crawf

[Junior boi]

Thread already made

[Bring-Back-Powell]

Congrats on a brilliant career Crawf!!!

But in all in honesty, i view it as a positive for Hawthorn as it gives your 18-20 years old more opportunities. And Crawf was only going to play about 16 games if fully fit.

Very unselfish decision from SC.

[The Kipster]

Originally Posted by vanders

I made a little something!

Top work Vanders...I'm still crying.....

[vanders]

Cheers!

[Gary Shadforth]

.

Thanks, vanders. That's a wonderful tribute to one of the many great legends our club has been blessed with.

This is one my fave Crawf pics of hundreds I have in my very extensive album. Shane at his first training night at Glenferrie -

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Right deecision in my opinion. Has a young family to spend time with and he won't top 2008. Well done Crawf !

[Gilbert_Hodge]

Good stuff Vanders.

[timetochange08]

Geez was all pumped for him to go round in 09.Oh well i guess time caught up and it was never going to happen.

followd him from the start.Will miss terribly.I'm in his age group so the last of the old guys are gone.

depressing times... I know the hawks will be ok without him but he was Hawthorn!!!! he never gave up fought all the way till he got what he wanted.Thank god it happened!!!!

1992-2008

[apiro]

Am disappointed of course but well done Shane. A champion of the game and loyal servant of the HFC. I have no doubt you will succeed at whatever you chose to do simply because of your working ethic.

[halfback dasher]

Gave every thing for his club and the game, and in return achieved everything !!!Then in turn retired the way a true champ should....................what more can be said?Any kid in or cmon in to the game should stand back and take note.........THERE HAS BEEN VERY FEW BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO BEING,, ON AND OF THE FIELD..............."THE FULL PACKAGE"

[Bombermania]

Originally Posted by Hodgies Heroes

Shane Crawford

• 305 games
• Hawthorn Premiership Player 2008
• Hawthorn Team of the Century (interchange)
• AFL Rising Star nominee 1993
• Brownlow Medal 1999
• AFLPA Most Valuable Player award 1999
• Victorian State of Origin representative
• Alex Jesaulenko Medal 1998
• Leigh Matthews Trophy 1999
• All-Australian 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002
• International Rules Series 1998, 1999, 2002
• Best and Fairest 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
• Captain 1999-2004
• Best Hawthorn Clubman 2005
• Ansett Cup 1999 Premiership side

Now that's what I'm talking about ..............

I wanted to pop by the Hawks nest to congratule Shane Crawford on annopuncing his retirement after 17 outstanding years as one of Hawthorn's best midfielder.

I remember watching the Hawthorn side of the 1980s and as a unit they were brillant, in my humble view Crawford is up their with members of those champion sides.

Hawthorn have had some dark days during Crawfords 17 years career but in my view he always did the right thing by his club and its supporters.

Shane is an outstanding footballer as the stats above show but from what I can tell as a person he is a great individual.

I salute Shane and wish him all the best.

Thats what I'm talking about

[hawk for 37]

Hudson, Scott, Moore, Matthews, Knights, Dipper, Platten, Dermie, Ayres, Mew, Langford, Dunstall, Crawford.

The Grand Final win now puts him in their company..... finally!

He belongs there. What more could he achieve? Right decision.

A sensational career.

Well Done Crawf!

[strategy]

A brilliant career .Better than Buckley , Archer and Harvey .

He made a wise decision .I just read all his achievements .
He did it all .

Now he is a LEGEND.

I hope he stays at the club to coach etc .His knowledge would be invaluable.

[speedpeck23]

Crawf......right up there with the all time greats who have represented the Mighty Hawks.....