September 9, 1974: Shane Crawford born in Mount Barker, South Australia.

1991: Drafted by Hawthorn with pick No. 13 in the National AFL Draft from Assumption College in Kilmore, Victoria.

1993: Becomes the 10,372nd player to appear in the VFL/AFL when he runs out for his first senior game for Hawthorn – round one against Melbourne. The Hawks win by 23 points.

Was the second player to be nominated for the League's Rising Star award in round two. Brisbane Bear Nathan Buckley (nominated round seven) goes on to win the overall prize.

1995: Finishes second in the club champion award behind Darren Jarman.

1996: Receives his first All-Australian guernsey – of four in total – for a consistent year which saw him play all bar one game and average 24 touches. Again finishes second in the club champion award, this time to Paul Salmon.

1998: Is named All-Australian for the second time and wins his first club champion award after playing every game in a year the Hawks win just eight. Also represents Australia in International Rules for the first time. Wins the Jesaulenko Medal as the Allies' best performer in the State of Origin competition.

1999: Wins the Brownlow Medal for his remarkable year, and collects his third All-Australian guernsey and second club champion award. Also plays International Rules for the second time. Is named the AFLPA's most valuable player and is a member of the Hawks' pre-season premiership win. Is awarded club captaincy for his stellar season.

2001: Finishes third in the club champion award.

2002: Named Hawthorn's club champion, earns All-Australian selection and captains Australia in the International Rules Series. Also reaches the 200-game milestone in the final match of the season.

2003: Wins Hawthorn club champion award for the fourth time and captains Australia to a win over Ireland in the International Rules. Made most of his headlines for his appearances in 'The House of Bulger' – a popular skit on Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

2004: The forgettable year of his career, Crawford’s season ends in round 10 when he breaks his arm against Adelaide. Without their skipper, the Hawks finish 15th. Crawford steps down at season's end, handing the reins to Richie Vandenberg.

2005: Unleashed from the responsibilities of the captaincy, Crawford finishes third in the Peter Crimmins Medal (formerly club champion award) and reaches his 250th AFL match. A new era begins as the Hawks unveil Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis.

2006: Hampered by injury but still manages to finish fourth in the Peter Crimmins Medal count.

2007: While other Hawthorn midfielders command more attention, Crawford is as reliable as ever, finishing eighth in the Peter Crimmins Medal and missing just one game through suspension. But the end of his season is tarnished when suspended for striking North Melbourne’s Daniel Harris.

2008: Misses the first three weeks of the season through the suspension and another eight weeks with knee tendonitis. He recovers to reach his 300-game milestone – a stunning win over the Brisbane Lions in Launceston – and five weeks later plays in his first premiership.

"That’s what I'm talking about!" can he heard around the MCG as he accepts his premiership medallion – a fairytale finish to his 16th season.

Crawford commits to another year, before re-considering and announcing his retirement on November 8 at the age of 34.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.