North Melbourne champion Glenn Archer was today named inaugural winner of the Madden Medal.

The Madden Medal, struck this year by the AFL Players' Association, recognises outstanding on and off-field achievement of AFL players over the course of their careers.

The Madden Medal was presented to Archer by former AFLPA Presidents' and Essendon and Carlton champions, Simon Madden and The Hon. Justin Madden MLC at the gala AMP Madden Medal Awards Lunch, before guests including, the Federal Minister for Youth and Sport, the Honourable Kate Ellis, AFL Players' Association President Joel Bowden, AFLPA Executive Members Tom Harley, Luke Ball, Nick Maxwell and Brendon Gale, as well as AFL General Manager, Operations Adrian Anderson, AFL Club representatives and a large number of 2007 season retiring AFL players and award nominees.

The Executive Committee of the AFL Players' Association voted Archer as the recipient of the Madden Medal ahead of an exceptional field of 2007 retiring greats, including James Hird, Nathan Buckley, Mark Ricciuto, Anthony Koutoufides, Luke Darcy and Chris Grant.

In the tightest of finishes, Archer received the coveted honour by one vote from Essendon champion James Hird with Collingwood's Nathan Buckley rounding out the top three.

The North Melbourne icon's long list of on and off-filed achievements amply satisfied the award's criteria of outstanding on and off-field achievements, combined with a display of great personal growth and commitment to community and charity endeavours over an entire career.

Glenn's achievements include - a club record 311 games; '96 Norm Smith Medal; '96 & '99 Premiership; Team of the Century; '96; '98 & '02 All-Australian; Six-time AFLPA Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player Award; Shinboner of the Century; World Vision Ambassador - created/presented a World Vision South African documentary raising awareness of HIV; helped raise over $200,000 for World Vision.

The votes for the 2007 Madden Medal were as follows:

Glenn Archer 17
James Hird 16
Nathan Buckley 13