Five players with 1,019 games of AFL experience have been nominated for the coveted Madden Medal for the retiring class of 2018.

With an average of over 200 games experience across the retiring players, this year’s crop of nominees have excelled both on and off the field.

Among a host of awards are premiership medallions, All-Australian jumpers, club best-and-fairest’s and rising star nominees.

The 2018 Madden Medal nominees include two club captains, members of club leadership groups and charity ambassadors, who spent their time away from football advocating for causes they are passionate about.

However, it’s the group’s off-field excellence that equally measures up to their on-field exploits.

The nominees worked with a range of foundations and not-for-profit organisations including the Menzies School of Health Research, the Red Cross, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, the Tabitha Foundation and the Greyhound Adoption Program.

They also spent time studying and developing their off-field pursuits with members of the retiring group building their own businesses, undertaking tertiary study and completing work experience as part of their personal development.

Each player balanced their personal development while advocating for issues in ambassadorial roles and giving their all on the field each week.

While there can only be one Madden Medal winner, these champions will continue to be remembered for their tireless work on and off the field.

See below for the full list of 2018 nominees:

The Madden Medal, named after brothers Simon and Justin Madden, is awarded annually to the retiring player who has best demonstrated on-field excellence, personal development and growth, as well as community spirit over the course of their playing career. The winner will be announced at the AFL Players’ Association Season Launch on Tuesday, March 5.