Dogs pair to retire from AFL

Lindsay Gilbee and Ryan Hargrave, two of the Western Bulldogs’ bedrocks over the last decade, have announced they will retire at the end of this AFL season.

The two 31-year-olds are 200-game players who had crucial roles when the Bulldogs challenged for the premiership between 2008-10.

Gilbee won All-Australian selection in 2006 as a defender and has played 206 games since his 2001 debut.

Hargrave first played at senior level a year after Gilbee started and has racked up 203 AFL matches.

The pair joined the Bulldogs through the 1999 draft.

While Gilbee was noted for his sharp disposal and could play forward or back, “Shagger” Hargrave made his name in defence.

“You’re a special player when you’ve played and contributed to a football club the way both Ryan and Lindsay have,” Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said in a club statement.

“Both are terrific people who are extremely well-regarded and admired by their peers and staff at our club.

“We congratulate the pair on what have been outstanding AFL careers.”

Injuries have hampered the pair, with Hargrave playing 12 senior games this season and Gilbee only managing four so far.

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