Hawthorn premiership players Michael Osborne and Max Bailey have announced their retirement at the Peter Crimmins Medal tonight, joining teammate Brent Guerra who hung up his boots on Wednesday.
Bailey and Guerra were part of the AFL premiership side that defeated Fremantle in Saturday’s 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final, while Osborne earned a premiership medal the week prior with a win in Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate side Box Hill Hawks.
While Bailey secured his first premiership last Saturday, the 2013 flag was Guerra’s second with the Hawks. Osborne and Guerra were teammates in Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership side.
Recruited to the Club in 2001, Osborne played 168 games and kicked 110 goals in a career spanning 13 years.
The small forward was a member of Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership side and awarded Life Membership in 2011.
Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson praised the 31 year old for his contribution to Hawthorn Football Club.
“‘Ossie’ has been an excellent servant of this footy club over a long period of time,” Clarkson said.
“He has shown terrific perseverance having been twice rookie listed before he eventually gained a place on the senior list. Then for him to temporarily step off our list at the end of last year to make room for a free agent recruit demonstrates ‘Ossie’s’ total commitment to this Club during his career.”
“He is highly respected and much-loved amongst our playing group, coaches and staff and his footy nous and sense of humour will be missed around the Club.”
"While ‘Ossie’ didn’t play a great deal of senior footy in the second half of this year, he made an important contribution to the Box Hill premiership side and continued to help develop and coach our younger players both on- and off-field,” he said.
Bailey finishes up with 43 games across eight years at the Club, having been beset by injury for a period of his career.
The ultimate team member and Club servant, the 2013 premiership is undoubtedly Bailey’s most prized playing honour.
Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson applauded Bailey’s attitude and commitment across his career.
“Max is undoubtedly one of the most loved and respected members of our Club and I’m sure all Board directors, staff, players, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have been lucky enough to have been a part of Max’s football journey will be sad to farewell him,” Clarkson said.
“An important member of our 2013 ruck division, Max has been an excellent servant for our Club on-field and showed this season what a skilled tap ruckman he is.”
“His attitude towards the setbacks he experienced and his resilience in tough times have showed what an outstanding leader and impressive young man he is.”
“Max can leave the game knowing that he did everything to get the most out of his body and he should be proud of his achievements, which includes a premiership medallion that is thoroughly deserved.”
Michael Osborne career summary
168 games
110 goals
9 Finals matches
Premiership 2008
Hawthorn FC Life Membership 2011
Most Consistent Player 2003
NAB AFL Rising Star nominee 2003
Box Hill Hawks premiership 2001, 2013
AFL debut – R21, 2001 v Adelaide
Draft history – 2001 Rookie Draft selection no 11; 2001 rookie elevation (Hawthorn); 2003 Rookie Draft selection no 23; 2003 rookie elevation (Hawthorn); 2012 NAB AFL Draft selection no 70
Max Bailey career summary
43 games
10 goals
6 Finals matches
Premiership 2013
AFL debut – R18, 2006 v Fremantle
Draft history – 2005 National Draft selection no 18
Brent Guerra career summary
255 AFL games (159 Hawthorn, 65 Port Adelaide, 31 St Kilda)
12 Finals matches for Hawthorn FC
Premiership 2008, 2013
Hawthorn FC Life Membership 2013
Hawthorn Best Clubman 2012
Hawthorn Most Consistent Player 2007
Hawthorn debut – R1, 2006 v Fremantle
St Kilda pre-season premiership side 2004
Port Adelaide pre-season premiership sides 2001, 2002
AFL Rising Star nominee 2001
Draft history – 1999 National Draft selection no 28 (Port Adelaide); 2003 AFL Draft traded by Port Adelaide for No 39; 2006 NAB AFL Pre-season Draft selection no 3 (Hawthorn)
