Geelong Cats star Jimmy Bartel has announced his retirement, calling time on a stellar career.
The Cats made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, saying the club had reached an agreement with the veteran midfielder on the terms of his retirement.
Bartel was one of just four Geelong players to play 300 games for the club in a spectacular AFL career. The versatile midfielder, who was equally comfortable in the forward and back halves of the field, finished his career as a three-time premiership player, two-time All Australian and one-time Brownlow medallist.
Plenty of conjecture surrounded Bartel’s future at the Cats following Geelong’s preliminary final exit at the hands of the Sydney Swans, with many pundits speculating the veteran would struggle to force his way into the club’s line-up in 2017.
But Bartel will now no longer run the risk of being relegated to the VFL in 2017, having called an end to his career.
“I wanted to take my time once the season finished before I made this decision,” Bartel said.
“I am forever grateful to have been drafted by the Cats and I hope in some way to have repaid the faith that was shown in me all those years ago. While I feel I still have more to give, I understand the bigger picture and respect the direction the club wants to move in. So therefore I have decided the time is now right to retire from the game.
“Over the past 15 years I have played out every dream I ever had and I leave the game satisfied that I have given everything I had in every game. To have played with my home town club and to have shared in the success we have had has been an incredible experience.
“I was very fortunate to have played with some amazing players, but even more importantly better men, which always made the game fun. I always looked forward to coming into the club and will miss that. However, I am excited to weigh up my options and to explore the next step.”
Bartel was drafted by the Cats in the 2001 draft and made his debut in Round 1 of the following year. He became an integral part of the club’s premiership machine, helping the club to grand final day success in 2007, 2009 and 2011, and picked up the Brownlow Medal in 2007. He was also selected to the All Australian teams in 2007 and 2008.
Bartel was also awarded the 2016 Jim Stynes Community Leadership award for his work in raising awareness about the issue of domestic violence in Australia.
Bartel, who had his own personal experience with domestic violence in his family, went the entire AFL season without shaving as a part of the ‘Face up to DV’ campaign to help raise funds for the fight against domestic violence.
Geelong coach Chris Scott lauded Bartel on his career.
“Jimmy is the embodiment of what a footballer should be,” Scott said.
“He was fearless, could play multiple roles for the good of the team and was adaptable in a changing game. Jimmy will rightly go down as an icon of the Geelong Football Club, and he has left a lasting mark on all those that he has played with over the past 15 seasons.”
Bartel is the second Cats legend to retire this off-season, following in the footsteps of the club’s games record holder, Corey Enright.
Jimmy Bartel retires as one of just five players to win a Brownlow, Norm and flag. Hird, Black, Diesel, Judd the others. Rare company.
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) October 19, 2016
Jimmy Bartel will go down as one of the greatest cats of all time and a genuinely good bloke #afl
— DAMIAN CHANDLER (@damochandler) October 19, 2016
Will never forget being at the Hawks v Cats game when Jimmy Bartel kicked the winner post siren. He will always be a class player. #AFL
— Roy Ward (@rpjward) October 19, 2016
A sad day with the retirement of Jimmy Bartel. One of the finest players of our generation and an outstanding gentlemen. A future HOF'er
— Jarrad Goddard (@JJGoddard1983) October 19, 2016
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