Former St Kilda and Essendon champion Brendon Goddard has added another accolade to his already storied AFL career, winning the 2018 AFL Players’ Association Madden Medal.
The Madden Medal is awarded to the retiring player who has best demonstrated on-field excellence, personal development and growth, as well as community spirit over the course of his playing career.
Having played 334 games after being taken with the first pick in the 2002 AFL draft, Goddard claimed the award ahead of other Madden Medal nominees Lee Spurr, Bernie Vince, Cyril Rioli and Eric Mackenzie.
Goddard accepted the award from AFLPA President Patrick Dangerfield at the AFLPA Season Launch event in Richmond on Tuesday night.
“To win an award that has been voted on by your peers is a huge honour,” Goddard said.
“I gave everything I had to the sport and set incredibly high standards of myself and my teammates and that extended off the field as well.
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“To be alongside the likes of Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich, Chris Judd and Lenny Hayes as a Madden Medal winner is truly humbling, not to mention being nominated with the other four individuals tonight — they’re all stars in their own right.”
Dangerfield said Goddard’s career speaks for itself but his impact off the field was equally as great.
“Brendon was a fierce presence on the field and we all saw how much he cared, but off it he was a genuine person,” Dangerfield said.
“He was always keen to use his voice and profile for the greater good, be it for equality or any cause close to his heart and that’s why he’s the 2018 Madden Medallist.”
During 16 years at the elite level, Goddard played more than 300 games, claimed All-Australian honours twice, captained the Bombers, won a club best and fairest and is a life member of St Kilda and Essendon.
Off the field, the 33-year-old completed a Diploma in Management, a range of certificates in sport, fitness and frontline management and completed the Next Coach program in 2018.
He is also involved with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, through his close relationship with the Riewoldt family, worked with the Purple Bombers to create a safe environment for LGBTIQ supporters and players and was involved with the Sacred Heart Mission during his playing days.
The Madden Medal is decided by vote from the AFL Players’ Association Board, as well as past winners of the award.
The Madden Medallist is named after former AFLPA presidents Simon and Justin Madden and was first presented in 2007.
Past winners of the award include Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich, Chris Judd, Lenny Hayes, Jude Bolton, Luke Power, Cameron Ling, Brett Kirk, Michael O’Loughlin, Robert Harvey and Glenn Archer.