Richo heads medal nominees

RECENTLY retired Tiger Matthew Richardson heads this year's list of nominees for the AFLPA's Madden Medal.

The medal is awarded to a player who has recently retired and who demonstrated outstanding on-field football achievements, a high level of off-field football achievements and a display of great personal growth over their career, community and charity endeavours.

The others to be shortlisted are Leo Barry (Sydney Swans), Matthew Lloyd (Essendon), Tom Harley (Geelong), Adam Simpson (North Melbourne), Joel Bowden (Richmond), Michael O’Loughlin (Sydney Swans), Jared Crouch (Sydney Swans) and David Wirrpanda (West Coast Eagles).

Robert Harvey was presented with the medal in 2008 and Glenn Archer in 2007.

The award is named for the Madden brothers - two time Carlton premiership player Justin, who was president of the AFLPA for eight years from 1990 as the AFL moved to being the fully professional sport that it now is, and Norm Smith Medallist Simon, who also won two flags with Essendon and played a club record 378 games for the club.

Several other awards - mostly involving the same players who have been nominated for the main award - will also be presented on the night.

The ceremony will be held in the Docklands precinct on Friday December 4.