A media release from the AFLPA made the following comments:

“Adam’s personal battle with cancer has characterized the latter half of his football career, a time during which he has displayed enormous courage, determination and resilience. In addition to fighting his illness and somehow managing to make two comebacks to football, Adam has used the public interest generated by his experience to raise awareness and funds, establishing the ‘Call to Arms’ campaign, working for the cause of male cancer in the community. Adam continues to inspire cancer sufferers of all ages and backgrounds.”

Adam will again play an active role in Essendon’s partnership with the Cancer Council of Victoria. Essendon’s partnership in 2009 will comprise three main activities. The Relay for Life will again be staged at Windy Hill on Friday and Saturday February 27-28. The Clash for Cancer will be played most probably against Melbourne on Friday night 19 June. On top of this the Call to Arms campaign will again run nationally.

The Madden Medal – Presented by AMP

There could be no more worthy a winner of the Madden Medal than Robert Harvey. With a career lasting five times longer than the average AFL career, Harvey’s glittering list of on-field achievements include, 383 games, two Brownlow Medals, eight All-Australian awards, four club best and fairest awards and a Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player. Harvey also excelled off the football field, working closely with the Mornington Peninsula community and the Woorinyan Organisation who provide employment support for people with disabilities. He is also an ambassador for the Bonnie Babes foundation who provides counselling for families after miscarriage, stillbirth or prematurity. Amongst all of this he also found time to develop his own business, a sports memorabilia store which he co-owns with former St Kilda teammate Aaron Hamill and former test cricketer Shane Warne. Amongst all of this, Harvey is also a loving husband and father of three children.

The Steel Blue Community Spirit Award

The Open Universities Australia Personal Development Award

It was difficult for the AFLPA to go past Peter Bell, whose remarkable life and football journey saw him obtain a law degree from the University of Melbourne and serve as AFLPA President between 2002-2007, in between captaining a football club and winning AFL Premiership’s. Always a strong and articulate advocate for AFL players, Peter is currently CEO of Simpking International Consultants.

The GNC Live WellFootball Achievement Award

Crawford and Harvey were split by the narrowest of margins, but it was hard to go past Crawford, whose career included 305 games, 224 goals, four All-Australian nominations, four Hawthorn Best and Fairest’s, a Brownlow medal and AFLPA Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player. Shane’s career culminated in the 2008 AFL Premiership.