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.
reuster75
Guest
The goal in the last quarter that Friday night and the reaction of the crowd and his team-mates says everything about the champion man and player he is. Hard to beleive that next year is ten years since that first flag and agreed that it's sad to see nearly all those players gone now.
reuster75
Guest
His game against Lenny Hayes in the 2009 GF doesn't get the kudos it deserves. He took Hayes, who was probably saints most dangerous midfielder at the time, out of the game that day. Jimmy hadn't played that type of role before but shows the esteem in which he was held that Bomber trusted him with such a crucial role.
Reality Check
Guest
Geelong will begin to go into a tailspin you feel. Insane trading and retirements to it's core bunch of stars. Wooden sponers within the next 2 or 3 years.
Bobby
Guest
Thanks Jim... Thanks for everything. With that the last cat drafted in the 2001 super draft has left Geelong: Bartel, Kelly, Johnson, Ablett... Only two cats left from the 2007 flag, Selwood and Mackie. The last remnants of that era, the happiest time of my football life, are finishing up and it is hard not to shed a tear. I will remember you for your long sleeves on a wet day. Your drop punts in the last quarter where every Cat knew you'd kick it. Your one miss after the siren, that still beat Hawthorn. I will remember you for reading the play better than anyone else Your brownlow, your norm and those flags. But most of all I will remember you getting chaired off with Boris down in Geelong on a cold Friday night. You embraced and as I looked around, at the new stadium with its shiny lights, I realised that you and the other Cats heroes were responsible for all of this. You revitalised a town, made our football team the envy of all others. Lots will rightly praise you for your work off the field, yet I will always remember that feeling when the ball was kicked up high, the crowd saw you waiting underneath and cried together "Jimmmmmyyy!" And tonight I do that one last time.... Jimmmyyyy :(
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Well done Jimmy on a wonderful career. I remember well when he and Ablett debuted against the then all-powerful Bombers who duly thrashed us. His 2007 season, playing in the centre, was amazing - with Ablett I reckon he was the best player in the comp that year, and one of the biggest factors in us breaking the drought. Thereafter he was moved around the field a bit but no coincidence was given more prominent roles in the bigger games where he excelled. We were fortunate to have so many great players in those premiership teams but in my opinion Jimmy is still underrated. I think his contribution was even greater than champions like Chapman, Selwood, Enright, Corey, Ling etc and I would put him comfortably amongst the best 5 cats I have ever seen alongside Ablett, Ablett, Scarlett and G.Hocking. Seems like a nice guy. It's a shame he won't be pulling on the boots next year. No disgrace in playing some games in the VFL if it came to that but I would have backed him to continue to be a valuable contributor as he was this year anyway. All the best Jimmy!
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I've absolutely loved watching Jimmy's career. Humble, versatile, consistent champion.
Brian
Guest
he was really hard to dislike after the domestic violence awareness campaign this year. Well done a champion player
alicesprings
Guest
Amazing footballer. Glad that he decided to go out on top..would have been painful to watch him ply his trade in the magoos which i think would have been the case if he had of continue into next year.
Cat
Roar Guru
Right choice at the right time. Good luck Jimmy in the next phase of your life.