THE LACK of speed in the midfield won't be a problem when they win the clearance every single time.

Welcome to AFL.com.au's retirees team for 2017, where Jobe Watson, Brownlow medallists Matthew Priddis and Sam Mitchell, and Scott Thompson headline a remarkable onball division.

Mitchell (first), Priddis (fourth), Thompson (fifth) and Watson (15th) are all ranked in the top 20 all-time clearance winners in history, as well as featuring prominently in contested possessions.

Travis Cloke's sudden retirement on Wednesday, after Shane Mumford's last week – both with a year to run on their contract – shone a light on the impressive group of stars leaving the game.

Our back six of Matthew Boyd, Tom Lonergan, Bob Murphy, Josh Gibson, Andrew Mackie and James Kelly is so good that premiership defender and 2012 All Australian Sean Dempster was relegated to the bench.

Only Lonergan wasn't an All Australian and Murphy was the sole one not to win a premiership, with their combined achievements including 1631 games, 11 flags, five club best and fairests and eight All Australian selections. Boyd and Murphy both served as captain at the Western Bulldogs.

Nick Riewoldt and Steve Johnson are greats of the modern era, while Leigh Montagna, Drew Petrie, Brent Stanton and Angus Monfries all played more than 200 matches.

Sam Butler played in three Grand Finals, including West Coast's 2006 premiership, while Colin Garland and Garrick Ibbotson both made good contributions across the past decade.

Among those to miss out were Ivan Maric, Zac Dawson, Dennis Armfield, Nathan Krakouer, Jeremy Laidler and Jesse White.

Heritier Lumumba and Chris Yarran were not considered, as they technically retired last year despite remaining on Melbourne's and Richmond's list, respectively.

THE RETIREES BEST 22

B: Matthew Boyd, Tom Lonergan, Bob Murphy

HB: James Kelly, Josh Gibson, Andrew Mackie

C: Scott Thompson, Matthew Priddis, Leigh Montagna

HF: Brent Stanton, Nick Riewoldt, Steve Johnson

F: Angus Monfries, Travis Cloke, Drew Petrie

Foll: Shane Mumford, Jobe Watson, Sam Mitchell

I/C: Sam Butler, Sean Dempster, Garrick Ibbotson, Colin Garland



Some of 2016 and 2017's retirees on Grand Final day. Picture: AFL Photos

