Skip to main content
Thumbnail
Burgoyne Contests the Ball

Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne has retired. The game against Richmond in Round 23 was his 407th. He advised his teammates earlier in the week leading up to that game. In early July, he became just the fifth player in league history to notch 400 games. His match tally is the most of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander player in AFL history. Burgoyne was originally drafted by Port Adelaide in 2000 and debuted in 2002. He played 157 games with Port before crossing to Hawthorn at the end of 2009.

Head of Football Rob McCartney praised Burgoyne for his work both on and off the field, “I know I speak on behalf of anyone and everyone that has crossed paths with Shaun over his football journey in saying that it has been an honor to work alongside a man of his character and skill. He is the epitome of what we value at Hawthorn, with his immense commitment to family values whilst also possessing a relentlessness to constantly strive to get the best out of himself as well as those around him ...".

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan praised Burgoyne for his highly decorated career, “There aren’t many footballers with as many career highlights as Shaun Burgoyne. Shaun’s impact on the field has been extraordinary. A four-time Premiership player, a member of the illustrious 400 game club and our Indigenous games record holder, Shaun’s contribution to our game has been monumental ...".

AFL Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch highlighted Burgoyne’s impact on Australian Rules Football across all levels of the game, “For Shaun and our competition, his achievements highlight the significant contribution of all former and current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and contributors to the game. We hope that Shaun’s career can inspire everyone in our game and that younger players of the game - at any level - take inspiration from Shaun’s playing record, leadership, and his humility off the field. Our code has seen incredible contributions from many talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, and Shaun has remained an integral member of that group throughout his AFL career ...".

Shaun Burgoyne’s on-field achievements:
Most games played by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in VFL/AFL History
Most games played in VFL/AFL History: Third (407)
Most finals played in AFL History: Second to Michael Tuck (39) with 35 games
Most premierships by current players: Equal first with Grant Birchall on four premierships (PA 2004, Hawthorn 2013-2015)
Most premierships by current Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander players: Equal first with Cyril Rioli on four premierships

Honors:
All-Australian 2006, nominee 2014 and 2015
International Rules 2008 and 2017 (captain)
Rising Star nominee 2002
Port Adelaide preseason premiership 2002

Source: Emma Francis, AFL Media Release, Stephanie Edwards, Hawthorn Media Release, AFL Record Season Guide

Tiger defenders Bachar Houli and David Astbury have retired. Houli was originally drafted by Essendon where he played 26 games across four seasons. He joined Richmond at the end of 2010 via the preseason draft and played 206 games for the Tigers. Houli, 33, will be remembered as an ultra-consistent performer that thrived in the biggest of games. None were bigger than the three Grand Finals. In 2017 and 2018, he finished second behind Dustin Martin for the Norm Smith Medal. In 2020, he played out the game despite suffering a calf injury early the match.

Off the field, Houli’s legacy at Richmond and the wider community as a cultural ambassador will live on for many years to come, with the Bachar Houli Foundation, which Houli founded, building young leaders within the Muslim community. The Foundation aims to support social cohesion by fostering young Muslims with a sense of belonging through sport. The first Bachar Houli Program, launched in 2013, was the first Muslim Football Academy in Australia. It has since reached over 35,000 participants nationally and will continue to expand. Some years ago, he pushed for prayer rooms to be set up at all major AFL venues so Muslim fans could attend games and fulfill their prayer commitments.

Houli said his 15-year journey in the AFL had gone by quickly, “I have been fortunate enough to play at two great clubs, and to be a part of the history of this game. Not only did I want to play as many games as possible, but I wanted to educate Australia, about my faith (and) about the religion of Islam, the religion of peace. I hope I have left a sense of peace in everyone’s heart. I sincerely thank the club and the AFL for allowing me to be me. Thank you to the (entire) Richmond Football Club, from Peggy to the Chief (Brendon Gale), to the amazing Tiger Army. for allowing me to be a part of this amazing organisation. It’s time to go fishing, Tiger for life.”

Along with his three premierships, Houli was All-Australian in 2019. His consistency saw him finish in the top ten of the best and fairest count in seven of the past 10 seasons.

Astbury, 30, was drafted in 2009 and debuted as a forward. He had a bad run of injuries early in his career, playing just 24 games in five seasons from 2011 on. He finally had an uninterrupted run in the club's drought-breaking premiership year 2017. He played all 25 games that year, often taking on the opposition's best forwards. He followed that up by playing all 22 games in 2018 and 2019. He etched himself into Grand Final history in 2019, holding his direct opponents to just one possession for the entire game. A knee injury restricted him to just nine games in 2020 but he returned to play a key role in the finals and premiership win.

Off the field, Astbury has had a strong impact influencing the club's culture. He was particularly vocal and prominent in the playing group’s stance around the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also held leadership roles throughout his time at the club.

Astbury’s only coach in the AFL, Damien Hardwick, said that Astbury would leave as an all-time great of the football club, “Dave is the epitome of the Richmond Man that we speak about all the time. The legacy that this man will leave is up there with the very best players at our footy club. The legacy he leaves is one of selflessness and resilience. The man missed two years and has had 14 operations. Most people would have just given up. But not Dave Astbury. He has fought for 12 years for this footy club. He is one of the best Richmond Men I have ever seen.”

Astbury said his 155 game career was an “absolute joy ride” of a football career, “It really is a dream to be completely content with what my career consists of and be really proud of that. “I am really humbled by the football club wanting to keep me around, but I know this decision is right for me and for the club going forward. I am so proud that I have fulfilled my career and my dream at one club, this club.”

Source: Nicki Malady, Richmond Media Release

Article last changed on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - 11:38 AM EDT


Recent content

Partners

Worldfootynews.com

Our Favorite Footy Podcasts

A Yank on the Footy

 

Donnie's Disposal

 

Americans Watching the Footy

Shorten URLs

*

 

We Recommend:

ENJOY 40% OFF SITEWIDE!

  • The future of vitamins is here! Say goodbye to generic multivitamins cluttering your table top. 
  • With Vitable, you get personalized daily vitamin packs tailored to your unique diet, lifestyle and health needs.
  • All you need to do is complete a simple online quiz and unlock your expert recommendation. 
  • Join the 400,000+ people embracing the Vitable way with 40% OFF your first order
  • Use the promo code AFANA40 at checkout.