West Coast Eagles veteran Shannon Hurn has joined an illustrious group after being awarded AFL life membership.
The 2018 premiership captain qualified for the honour last season when he appeared in his 300th League-sanctioned game, inclusive of 22 pre-season matches.
Hurn’s accolade marks the beginning of what should be a memorable year for the ever-reliable defender, who is only four appearances shy of equalling Eagles legend Dean Cox’s club record 290 games in blue and gold.
The 33-year-old is also within sight of becoming the first West Coast player to achieve the significant milestone of 300 matches later in the season.
Hurn has so far played in 267 home and away matches and 19 finals across his 15-season career since he was recruited from Central Districts in South Australia via pick 13 in the 2005 national draft.
Aging like a fine wine, the Angaston product has risen in stature across the competition in the latter stages of his career, despite always being recognised by West Coast fans for his unerring consistency and team-first attitude.
Hurn was named All Australian for the first time in 2018 and again the following year, when the AFL Players’ Association judged him the best captain in the competition.
He was previously made a life member of the West Coast Eagles in 2014, and finished runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal in 2009 before rounding out the podium in the 2012 club champion award.
Hurn's remarkable career was recognised with life membership ratified by the AFL Commission in December alongside 11 other inductees.
He joins the likes of West Coast CEO Trevor Nisbett, inaugural captain Ross Glendinning, club stalwart Ian Miller, current coach Adam Simpson, champion defender Glen Jakovich and Cox as an AFL life member.
SHANNON HURN’S RECORD:
2005 – First-round national draft selection (No.13 overall)
2006 – Debut in round five victory over Brisbane at Subiaco Oval
2007 – NAB AFL Rising Star nominee
2009 – John Worsfold Medal runner-up
2012 – John Worsfold Medal third-placing
2014 – West Coast Eagles life member; became West Coast’s 10th club captain in December
2017-19 – Three-time Glendinning-Allan medallist
2018 – Premiership captain, All Australian
2019 – AFLPA Best Captain, All Australian vice-captain
