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WESTERN Bulldogs veterans Ryan Hargrave and Lindsay Gilbee will announce their retirements on Tuesday.
The two 200-game defenders informed their teammates of their decision late last week.
The Bulldogs are still working through the best way to provide a fitting farewell for the popular pair, with Hargrave serving a one-match suspension on the weekend and Gilbee too sore to play either of the Dogs' remaining two games.
Earlier in the season both players had expressed a desire to play on, but this appeared increasingly unlikely as the season progressed.
Both are 31 years old (Gilbee is just 18 days older than Hargrave) and have battled injuries in the past two seasons, and the rebuilding Bulldogs are developing promising youngsters Easton Wood, Christian Howard and Fletcher Roberts to fill their void.
Both men have given terrific service to the Bulldogs after being part of the superb draft class of 1999, which supplied the Dogs with Robert Murphy (selection No.13), Daniel Giansiracusa (32), Mitch Hahn (37), Gilbee (43) and Hargrave (66).
Gilbee and Hargrave were constants in the Bulldogs' defence for the best part of a decade and were highly valued members of the sides that played off in three successive preliminary finals from 2008-10 - a period in which both averaged 21 disposals and missed just six games between them.
Gilbee - who played 206 games to Hargrave's 203 - was the more decorated player of the pair, finishing third in the Dogs' 2005 best and fairest, being named an All Australian the following year and playing in two International Rules Series.
A defensive playmaker, Gilbee was the Bulldogs' longtime designated kicker, penetrating and precise by foot - a skill that was enhanced by razor-sharp decision-making.
Hargrave made his debut as a skinny 20-year-old in 2002 but developed into a superb athlete at 190cmsand 87kgs. A genuine dasher from the back half, he was blessed with great courage and a sense of adventure to take the game on. He was a nominee for the All Australian team in 2009.
Keep an eye on AFL.com.au for an exclusive interview with both Hargrave and Gilbee.
WESTERN Bulldogs veterans Ryan Hargrave and Lindsay Gilbee will announce their retirements on Tuesday.
The two 200-game defenders informed their teammates of their decision late last week.
The Bulldogs are still working through the best way to provide a fitting farewell for the popular pair, with Hargrave serving a one-match suspension on the weekend and Gilbee too sore to play either of the Dogs' remaining two games.
Earlier in the season both players had expressed a desire to play on, but this appeared increasingly unlikely as the season progressed.
Both are 31 years old (Gilbee is just 18 days older than Hargrave) and have battled injuries in the past two seasons, and the rebuilding Bulldogs are developing promising youngsters Easton Wood, Christian Howard and Fletcher Roberts to fill their void.
Both men have given terrific service to the Bulldogs after being part of the superb draft class of 1999, which supplied the Dogs with Robert Murphy (selection No.13), Daniel Giansiracusa (32), Mitch Hahn (37), Gilbee (43) and Hargrave (66).
Gilbee and Hargrave were constants in the Bulldogs' defence for the best part of a decade and were highly valued members of the sides that played off in three successive preliminary finals from 2008-10 - a period in which both averaged 21 disposals and missed just six games between them.
Gilbee - who played 206 games to Hargrave's 203 - was the more decorated player of the pair, finishing third in the Dogs' 2005 best and fairest, being named an All Australian the following year and playing in two International Rules Series.
A defensive playmaker, Gilbee was the Bulldogs' longtime designated kicker, penetrating and precise by foot - a skill that was enhanced by razor-sharp decision-making.
Hargrave made his debut as a skinny 20-year-old in 2002 but developed into a superb athlete at 190cmsand 87kgs. A genuine dasher from the back half, he was blessed with great courage and a sense of adventure to take the game on. He was a nominee for the All Australian team in 2009.
Keep an eye on AFL.com.au for an exclusive interview with both Hargrave and Gilbee.
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