Win, lose or draw, every person associated with an AFL club -- or any sports club for that matter -- works their absolute backsides off to achieve their goals.

Ask the reigning premiers from the Whitten Oval in Footscray. Coach Luke Beveridge granted the ultimate slice of respect for a non-playing player on grand final day when he presented injured skipper Bob Murphy with his Jock McHale Medal for coaching the premiers.

Luke Beveridge hands his premiership medallion to Bob Murphy. Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images

Although Murphy eventually handed back the medal, Beveridge's action was heartfelt - I am sure he would have loved to have given another 30-odd McHale Medals to his legion of foot-soldiers who put in hundreds of hours of work to ensure the team had every opportunity to produce its very best.

The 22 players who win our ultimate prize each year share something very special and we all want to be a part of it, however everyone in the industry understands the 45th player on the list puts in the same amount of blood, sweat and tears as the guys who end up with a medal dangling from their neck.

In my beloved American sports, everyone who plays a part in that team's successful season receives the award - usually a championship ring.

I motion we do the same here in our great game.

It would be easy to argue Murphy's spiritual and emotional role was just as - if not more - important than a few of the players who were in action on the MCG in that epic decider against Sydney.

That's the easy test case.

NBA player Anderson Varejao unwillingly exploited a loophole in the league's system after he began the 2015/16 season with Cleveland then ended with Golden State as the two clashed in the NBA Finals. Varejao was guaranteed a ring before the series even kicked off. That's probably not ideal but under our system, that won't happen.

Aussie basketball legend Andrew Gaze has a ring from his days with San Antonio despite not receiving any court time in the playoffs. Gaze has a ring because the NBA understands he was A PART of the TEAM that season. He earned his ring.

Andrew Gaze (front, second from left) and the 1999 NBA Champions, San Antonio Spurs. NBA Photo Library/ NBAE/ Getty Images

Bulldogs defender Matt Suckling was interviewed recently and three times within the first few minutes the analysts mentioned that he was not a premiership player with the Dogs. Technically he has no more right to the Bulldogs' flag than you or I, which I believe is ridiculous.

Suckling, as well as his teammates who watched from the stands, should have all received a medal. They do not need to be announced on stage like the competing 22 but they too deserve recognition for their contribution to the ultimate team success.

What do you think ?

MY TOP FIVE UNLUCKIEST GUYS TO MISS A FLAG

5 Tony Modra (Adelaide) 1997 & 1998

Modra won the Coleman Medal in 1997 as the Crows marched towards their first premiership. The excitement machine booted 84 goals and was clearly the South Australians' prime attacking weapon entering the finals. He kicked three in the qualifying final before being held goalless in the ensuing semi. In the preliminary finals against the Western Bulldogs, tragedy struck as Modra ruptured his ACL and missed the club's sensational premiership victory a week later against North Melbourne.

Modra was unable to recover fully from his knee injury and was not considered for the 1998 premiership run. After that season, he made a controversial move to Fremantle. Mark Ricciuto and Andrew McLeod stand alone as the greatest players in the club's history but here in Adelaide, no one evokes excitement and memories like 'Godra.' It's a damn shame he missed both grand final wins.

Injured Crow Tony Modra celebrates after the 1997 AFL grand final win against St Kilda. Getty Images

4 Tom Murphy (Hawthorn) 2008

In 2008, Murphy played 18 games including a final before losing his spot and never being able to regain it. The Hawks stunned Geelong on the big day as Murphy watched from the stands despite being a regular for most of the season. In 2012, Murphy featured less in the senior team but he played a role down back in the qualifying final and preliminary final. Then-captain Luke Hodge missed the preliminary final win over Adelaide and his inclusion for their victory cost Murphy his spot in the 22. Murphy departed the Hawks seeking greater opportunities as his former teammates marched towards three straight cups.

3 Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs) 2016

My feelings towards all 34 current and former Essendon players who were suspended for 12 months is clear - it was unfair on the players. So for Crameri -- who had since made the move to Footscray with the Dogs -- to sit out the entire season only to watch his relatively new teammates surge to the most unlikely victory would have been yet another bitter pill to swallow. The Dogs went after him, eager to secure him and he quickly became an integral part of the there forward line. There are many players who have missed a flag but none in the terribly unfortunate circumstances that Crameri did.

2 Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood) 2010

Ask all Pies fans: 'Presti' was often the saviour in the black and white jumper - literally. He always tackled the opposition's premier key forwards and he was known for his selfless style of play. He chalked up 203 games and was mostly known for his reliability and durability. However, 2010 was not so favourable. Only managing 13 games and struggling to overcome injury, Prestigiacomo famously ruled himself out when it looked increasingly likely that he would be an inclusion for the drawn grand final. He was not considered for the replay that saw the Pies thump St Kilda and claim their first flag since 1990. The dour defender was a part of the Magpies back-to-back grand final losses to Brisbane in 2002 and 2003, further making 2010 a tough break.

1 Brendan Whitecross (Hawthorn) 2013, 2014 & 2015

Talk about bad timing. Whitecross was a vital role player in the Hawks juggernaut but disaster struck at the worst time on two separate occasions. In the 2012 preliminary final, Whitecross tore up his knee and missed the grand final as the Hawks lost to Sydney. Things got worse for the Queenslander as his knee gave way again, forcing him to miss the premiership in 2013 and the entire 2014 season which resulted in another premiership. 2015 was not much kinder as he only managed four matches through continued injury and form issues.

Who's the most unlucky player not to play in a premiership for their team ? Tweet me at @joshjenkins24 and let me know.