7:53 AM Fri 29 Feb, 2008
Glenn Archer and James Hird
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Traditional rivals North Melbourne and Essendon have joined forces to honour club greats Glenn Archer and James Hird.
The clubs have commissioned a medal which will be awarded the first time they battle each year to the player who epitomizes the values upheld by the legends.
“Determination, courage, skill and loyalty are synonymous with both Glenn Archer and James Hird, and we thought it appropriate that our two proud club’s honour these champions each time we play,” North Melbourne Football Club chief executive Eugene Arocca said.
“Over the past two decades AFL fans have marveled at the deeds both on and off the field of the two champions and we see this as a fitting way to celebrate their careers.”
The concept for the Archer-Hird Medal grew from the mutual admiration and respect shown by the two champions on the last occasion they met on the battlefield.
“Who could forget Arch and Hirdy swapping jumpers last year? It was one of the great moments of the season and their admiration towards each other is worthy of commemoration by the clubs.”
Arocca said Archer and Hird would be presented to the Dome crowd before the Round 1 Easter Monday clash.
“Given Arch’s career ended in Adelaide in the preliminary final I thought it was fitting that we give him a send-off in front of our fans here in Melbourne at our first home game,” Arocca said.
North Melbourne membership surged to 23,021 yesterday, yet the club still has 7320 members from last season that have not joined.
Arocca urged all North Melbourne fans to get behind the club and the opening game of the season.
“A packed Dome on Easter Monday to start the season would be a fantastic way to celebrate both Arch and Hirdy.”
Career Stats - Glenn Archer
Born March 24th 1973
Recruited from Noble Park
North Melbourne 1992-07 (311 games/ 143 goals)
AFL Awards
Norm Smith Medal 96
All Australian 96, 98, 02
Most Courageous player 98, 99, 02, 03, 05, 06
State of Origin 98
AFL Life member
Club Awards
North Melbourne premiership side 96 & 99
North Melbourne Team of the Century (back pocket)
North Melbourne’s Shinboner of the Century
North Melbourne Games Record holder
Career Stats - James Hird
Born February 4th 1973 in Canberra
Recruited from Ainslie, ACT
Essendon 1992-07 (253 games/343 goals)
AFL Awards
All Australian 95, 96, 00, 01, 03
Brownlow Medal 96
Norm Smith Medal 00
International Rules 00 (captain), 04
Jim Stynes Medal 00
Club Awards
Essendon Best and Fairest 94, 95, 96, 03, 07
Essendon Captain 98-05
Essendon premiership side 93 & captain 00
Essendon 3rd all time greatest player Anzac Medal 00, 03, 04
kangaroos.com.au
