The West Coast Eagles have bid farewell to premiership players Mark Hutchings and Nathan Vardy as well as utility Brendon Ah Chee following the end of the club’s 2021 season.
As part of the list review process, Hutchings and Ah Chee have been informed they will not be offered contracts for next year, while Vardy has announced his retirement at age 30 to move back to country Victoria to be closer to family and take up an employment opportunity.
An ultimate professional, Hutchings’ career in blue and gold comes to a close after 120 games across nine seasons.
The 30-year-old departs the club with his spot in West Coast folklore assured, having played an integral role during the 2018 premiership campaign when he rose to prominence as arguably the AFL’s most effective tagger.
Hutchings’ shutdown job on Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom in the Grand Final was pivotal to the team’s success, and the lifelong Eagles fan lived his dream by collecting a premiership medallion at the MCG.
Crossing from Geelong at the end of 2016, Vardy proved an astute recruit for the Eagles with his versatility to play in the ruck and attack complementing Adam Simpson’s side.
He made 22 appearances in his first season, and stepped up to partner Scott Lycett in the ruck after star Nic Naitanui suffered his second shattering ACL rupture against Collingwood in round 17, 2018.
Vardy was instrumental during that year’s finals series, helping nullify All Australian duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy.
He was also involved in two crucial moments in the season-decider that will live long in West Coast fans’ memories.
The big man took a towering pack mark and slotted a priceless long-range goal early in the final quarter just as Collingwood threatened to get on top, before being part of the unforgettable chain that delivered Dom Sheed the Sherrin for his fateful match-winner in the dying minutes.
Vardy has called time on his career after making 52 of his 77 appearances for West Coast, where he played his four seasons alongside Ah Chee following his return to the west from Port Adelaide.
The 27-year-old made 31 appearances for the club, with Ah Chee’s most productive campaign coming in 2020 when he managed 16 games and kicked six goals.
General Manager – Football Craig Vozzo thanked the departing trio for their contributions to the club during a successful era.
“It is always a difficult time of year farewelling players and Mark, Nathan and Brendon have been highly-valued and popular members of the playing group,” Vozzo said.
“Mark’s professionalism and selfless approach was a wonderful lesson for so many of younger players. He has been a team-first player who got everything out of himself.
“Nathan came across from Geelong after not enjoying much luck with his body early in his career but managed to play some excellent football, most memorably in 2018 after Nic went down, and he was an important part of what the team achieved.
“And as well as his playing achievements, Brendon will leave a legacy with his leadership among our Indigenous players as well.
“On behalf of the club, we thank Mark, Nathan and Brendon for their contributions and wish them every success for their future endeavours.”
