Toast Thanks for everything, Ben Stratton - will retire at season's end

[westhawk]

Great pick up out of East Perth footy club. Has given his all for the Hawks. All good things come to an end, and seeing him over here in Perth a couple of months back, he looks sore. Enjoy the waves Stratts.

 

[Breustiful]

One of our all time modern greats.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Thanks for everything Stratts.

Not sure how many games you saved over the journey, but the collective of small forwards you kept in your pocket over your career can now hope to get a kick.

 

[Steven Tyler]

Eddie Betts will probably go around again next year after the announcement of Stratts retirement

Such an important member of our glory years

All the best in retirement champ, enjoy those Premiership reunions!

 

[killerspud]

Absolute champion.

Played on the big ones, the small ones, the slow ones, the fast ones, the good marks, the x factor ones and the great ones. Rarely beaten at his best teaming up with Lake and Gibbo - Formidable. Thanks for it all Stratts we will miss you and that filthy filthy mullet

 

[hawkman]

Was never the same after he lost the mullet. His 2018 was awesome.
Had some huge moments in big games 2012 PF and 2013 PF especially

 

[Hawker1167]

never be forgotten while this footage is being shown - better than someone taking mark of the year over you

great career Stratts all the best for the next chapter in your life

 

[CHUBBSS]

If you were a forward coming up against Stratton, Gibson, Birchall, Hodge you just knew you were in for a tough day.

Will go down as the most underrated backmen externally but he was always the next difference in our flags and allowed Gibson and Birchall to play the way they did.

What a player!

 

[Stranglers]

Stratts was an awesome defender and an all-round awesome player. Never really got his dues from the media either I felt. He's obviously felt Father Time creeping up on his this year so it's probably the best decision to hang up the boots though.

Thanks for the great career playing for the hawks!

 

[moginie]

He's been absolutely huge for us and a vital player in our premiership years. He'll be missed.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Ben Stratton epitomises the Hawthorn / Kokoda spirit on field. Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice. He will go down has a hawthorn great and captain of this club. His value being undersold by the rest of the AFL but never to the coaching panel. He always gave of himself physically backing into packs, laying those lunging tackles and playing on the best medium and small forwards the game had at the time. It was always a given we didn't have to worry about the oppositions best small to medium forward. A big game and moment player in finals and grand finals. His athletic prowess and marking at critical stages helped us sustain our success during those golden years. Congrats Stratts, a hawthorn champion and captain. Good luck in the future

 

[Bedi]

The modern day Gary Ayres, Stratts will be forever remembered as a premiership hero who was a vital cog in our backline that got the job done the hard way. Early on his in this career his aerial contests were a real highlight, and like others he was driven by the sting of the 2011 prelim and 2012 GF losses to take his game to the next level to ensure we carve out a golden era. A great reward to get the captaincy and good to hear his final year has been as mentor to young Will Day, a potential future captain himself. Thanks for the memories Stratts!

 

[SSSSSS]

Great finals player. Ultra consistent in the H&A as well.

Would have been one of the first picked. Just about rendered every small forward in the league ineffective at one point. Did a great job on a number of talls as well despite being undersized.

taken a beating over the years. Enjoy the next part of your life Skip.

 

[Rushed_Behind]

Thanks champ. You never flinched when you needed to put your body on the line and were part of an all time great team and not out of place. Thanks for all the sacrifices you made and the courage you showed in the brown and gold.

 

[dixyland]

The PCM night retirement package will have some bloody good highlights between him and Poppy!

 

[Delecate Des]

Courageous, unassuming, underrated by those outside of the club, but no doubt he would be first picked every time by those inside the club!! Well played Stratts and thanks for your efforts, enjoy the next chapter!

 

[Dipper]

They should have Eddie Betts on video link to the PCM for Stratto's bit.

On moto g(7) using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Congrats on a great career Stratts, so great watching you play for the mighty Hawks over the years. All the best in retirement.

 

[SizzleMagic]

We just have to sit back and enjoy watching Stratts and Poppy for the last time, knowing that they were a big part on an era that gave us so much joy.

The premiership players will all be gone soon, whether it’s through retirement, trades etc. However the good times and memories that these guys have provided us, will never be forgotten.

We are so fortunate to follow this club and to have been alive for the 3peat.

I’ll be cheering from home, watching grand final replays well into the evening and night.

Congrats to Stratts and Poppy, you deserve all the very best in retirement.

 

[HAWKSBESTEVA]

congrats on a great career you champion, should of been multiple AA, one of the greatest defenders this era. Did everything grimes the actor did but 1000x better but never got the recognition which was pretty shameful. Best of luck to you in post life and hope you can stay involved within the club you legend!!

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Congratulations Stratt's, been a very loyal servant to the club and at his peak he was unbeatable across the half back flank.

My favorite memories of Ben are those huge defensive marks he used to take across half back, often at critical stages of games.

I have been critical of his appointment as captain over the last two years but that was never critiscim of the man himself, rather the decision making process that appointed him.

Best of luck with the future Ben, I am sure you will enjoy the extra time to explore your many interests outside of footy!

 

[Brishawk]

Ben Stratton doesn’t retire because Ben Stratton doesn’t quit. The afl quits Ben Stratton.

well done legend! A key player in our premierships and the sacrificial and disciplined way He played allowed the likes of hodge and Burgoyne to wreak havoc on the opposition. Good luck in the future!

 

[HairyO]

Tall or small it didnt matter. Rarely ever beaten one on one.

 

[MightyHawks86]

Stratton played against some of the most dangerous small forwards in the afl and beat most of them repeatedly. Courage personified backing into packs and taking bone-crunching marks at critical times. A key cog in our threepeat machine. Well done Stratts, good luck in retirement.

 

[MowShow]

Big marks in key moments of big games, the prelim winning tackle, and Eddie Betts barely getting a kick for about 8 years.

Those are the 3 things I will remember most about Stratton (aside from the slew of medals he has won of course).

Absolute gun in defender who will be missed.