Three weeks ago, on the day Shannon Hurn announced his glorious AFL career would not extend into a 19^th season, one picture offered perspective on the extent of his journey.

Hurn’s sister Ashton posted an image from draft day 2005. She was in high school when her 18-year-old brother was snared with selection 13 by the West Coast Eagles.

It could not have engendered a more poignant reminder of how far each of them had come.

Ashton and Shannon had regularly kicked the footy together on the family property in Angaston, a picturesque hamlet on the eastern fringe of the Barossa Valley. Like the rest of her family her heart was bursting with pride that her brother was going to get his chance in elite football.

When Hurn announced that after 332 games his body was telling him it was time, Ashton was at Mineral Resources Park for the media conference.

That photo almost jolted us out of a time warp, illustrating the passage of time that has elapsed since Hurn became an Eagle. Ashton has forged her own successful career and is the local MP for the constituents in and around her home town.

Every year for close to two decades we have seen Hurn turn up to the footy club. In this competition time almost stands still as one pre-season morphs into the next quest for success.

Every summer that inimitable shuffle has punched out the kms as Hurn readied himself for another assault on this ever-demanding AFL competition. Meticulous with everything he does. Adjusting his preparation along the journey to give himself the best chance to maximise his output.

He used to loath swimming, but close mate Matthew Priddis espoused the values of churning out a few laps in the pool both as a recovery tool and a mode of freeing an aching body for the next battle.

Let’s be honest Hurn was never a fresh-faced young man. Even when he arrived he was something of a man child. Perhaps that’s why the passage of time has passed so unremarkably.

The laugh lines around his chiselled jaw run a little deeper, the thatch on his head is a slightly thinner but not much else has changed.

His matter-of-fact manner certainly has not wavered. He’s still straight down the line, no nonsense. Pretty much mimicking his on-field persona with who is away from the spotlight.

That Hurn would play top flight sport was never really in question. He was also a gifted cricketer who was in the SA Sheffield Shield squad before he chose the football route.

While it is 18 years ago I vividly remember conversations with the club’s recruiting team. They said I would love this kid, who had already played in two senior premierships with Central District in the SANFL.

They passed on his highlights reel. They weren’t wrong.

As part of the drafting process, they interview potential recruits several times and meet the family. It’s as much about reassuring the player’s loved ones, especially if they’re coming from interstate, that their boy will be in good hands.

Proud parents William and Sandi could not have been more supportive and embraced the opportunity available for their oldest child.

They have been a part of the West Coast Eagles family ever since. Clearly they instilled wonderful values in their children and provided them with every chance to succeed.

They will be at Optus Stadium on Saturday night and no doubt their collective chests will again heave as they see Shannon run out for the 333^rd and final time. It will be emotional too.

This game against the Crows will give West Coast fans the opportunity to pay tribute to Bunga, one of the great servants of this football club.

The games record holder, 2018 premiership captain and dual all-Australian. Adam Simpson said it best at Hurn’s retirement media conference when he suggested he had never seen a man so universally respected within a club.

We know we are going to miss him, but before that happens we will celebrate a champion.