AFL Players’ Association announces nominees for the 2011 Madden Medal

A new look Madden Medal will send off this year’s retired players – and welcome them to the AFL Players’ Alumni.

Held on the evening of Thursday 1 December, and celebrating all things 70s, this year’s event will officially launch the AFL Players’ Alumni, welcoming newly retired players into the fold and applauding those nominated for Madden Medal.

Presented by Open Universities Australia, the AFL Players’ Association Madden Medal is awarded to the retiring player who throughout his career has demonstrated on-field excellence, off-field football achievements, personal growth, and community spirit.

Steven Alessio, AFL Players’ Association GM – Player Development today announcement that Brady Rawlings (North Melbourne), Cameron Ling (Geelong), Craig Bolton (Sydney), Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney), Barry Hall (Western Bulldogs) and Cameron Mooney (Geelong) had been nominated for the award, which recognises the retiring player who has contributed the most to the game and the broader community.

"When a player leaves the game it is important to recognise not only what he has achieved as a footballer, but also acknowledge what he has done to develop himself, both personally and professionally,” said Alessio.

“At the AFL Players’ Madden Medal we recognise the work retiring players have performed within the community, as well as applaud those who have combined football and education and excelled at both. It is this holistic approach to a footballer’s career which makes this award unique to anything in the industry."

Named in honour of former AFL Players’ Association Presidents and Essendon and Carlton champions, Simon and Justin Madden, the Madden Medal was established in 2007. Previous Madden Medal winners are Glenn Archer (2007), Robert Harvey (2008), Michael O’Loughlin (2009) and Brett Kirk (2010).

The recipient of the Madden Medal will be voted on by the AFL Players’ executive committee, which is made up of the AFL Players’ Executive; Luke Power (President), Luke Ball (Vice-President), Adam Selwood, Matthew Pavlich, Drew Petrie, Robert Murphy, Jason Blake, Brad Sewell, Adam Goodes, AFL Players Association CEO Matthew Finnis, and past player representative Simon Madden.

Launch of AFL Players’ Alumni

When a player hangs up the boots he enters an elite club of men who have played VFL/AFL football at the highest level.

Players’ Association GM - Player Development, Steve Alessio, will officially launch the AFL Players’ Alumni at the Madden Medal – where past players will welcome newly retired players into the fold. The Alumni is designed to provide a lifelong support network which recognises past players’ contribution to the game.

“The AFL Players’ Association understands that in the past there hasn’t been the money or the opportunities that exist for current AFL players,” said Players’ Association GM - Player Development, Steve Alessio.

The newly-named Alumni network is one way in which current AFL Players’, through the resources of their Association are able to give back to the men who preceded them. Alessio says the Alumni is largely about connecting players who have played at the elite level and to encourage social connections members can expect to receive special treatment at the events offered by the Association.

Membership is available to anyone who has played a single game of VFL or AFL with the benefits ranging across health and wellbeing, financial prosperity, continuing education and social connections.

The AFL Players’ Association Madden Medal
Thursday 1 December, Studio 3 Crown