Defender Brian Lake and ruckman David Hale have both announced their retirement after playing key roles in Hawthorn’s record run of three straight AFL premierships.
Lake, 33, had said after Saturday’s 46-point win over West Coast that he wanted to play on for one more year.
But with the Hawks looking to rejuvenate an ageing squad, he and the 31-year-old Hale were convinced that it was time to end their careers.
Lake played 251 games with the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn while Hale’s career included 237 matches with North Melbourne and the Hawks.
Career summaries
Brian Lake
Age: 33
Games: 251 (197 with the Western Bulldogs from 2002 –
12 and 54 with Hawthorn from 2013-15)
Member of the Hawks’ 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership teams
Winner of the 2013 Norm Smith Medal
Western Bulldogs best and fairest in 2007
All-Australian in 2009 and 2010
David Hale
Age: 31
Games: 237 (129 with North Melbourne from 2003-10 and 108 with Hawthorn from 2011-15)
Goals: 217
Member of the Hawks’ 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership teams
North Melbourne leading goalkicker in 2008
– AAP