The Geelong Football Club congratulates three-time premiership player Jimmy Bartel on his induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.

Bartel – a member of Geelong’s 2007, 2009 and 2011 premiership teams – played 305 games with Geelong across a career spanning 15 seasons from 2002 to 2016.

The 2007 Brownlow medallist won a VFL premiership with the club in 2002, and was also part of the pre-season NAB Cup victories in 2006 and 2009.

Bartel was named in the All-Australian team on two occasions (2007 and 2008) and was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the Cats’ 2011 grand final win over Collingwood.

A ball-winning midfielder, Bartel was known for his ability to play well in all conditions, earning a reputation as a ‘wet weather specialist’, and famously sacrificed his own game in the 2009 grand final to quell the influence of St Kilda star Lenny Hayes, laying 16 tackles – the equal highest amount of tackles laid in AFL history, and the most in a grand final.

Bartel was also recognised his work in the community the prestigious Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in his final season of AFL football.

“We are thrilled to see Jimmy Bartel’s illustrious career recognised with his induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame,” Geelong Cats Chief Executive Officer Steve Hocking said.

“Jimmy was a humble and hardworking player during his career, and achieved incredible team and individual feats as part of a very strong and committed group of players at the Geelong Football Club.

“As well as his impressive playing record, Jimmy was shown to have great sportsmanship and integrity over his career, and the way he used the final year of his career to promote a cause he was passionate about speaks to his incredible character and his Kardinia Spirit.

“He is a true great of our club and the wider footballing community, and we congratulate Jimmy wholeheartedly on his Hall of Fame recognition.”