Ruckman Will Minson has been appointed to the AFL Players’ Association Board, alongside Geelong’s Jimmy Bartel and Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield for the 2014 season.

The trio have assumed the new roles, replacing of former Board members Jason Blake and Adam Selwood who retired from AFL football last season and the Bulldogs own Bob Murphy who relinquished his title.

“I’m really excited about joining the board – it’s a great honour,” Minson said.

“As the game grows, which it has done at a rapid rate in the last ten years, the importance of a body that represents the players and the players’ interests is enormous.

“As the game continues to grow, that will become even more significant.”

Minson said he has always had an interest in the AFLPA and their role as the governing body for players, recalling former player and now Bulldogs Chief Executive Simon Garlick as the Club’s AFLPA delegate when he came to the kennel.

“We’ve always had people who are genuinely interested [in the ‘PA],” Minson said.

“You can’t just have people in those positions for the sake of it.

“Garlo always spoke very well of the Players’ Association and I’ve been able to see the organisation grow in my time in football.

“It’s been incredible how much the organisation has developed and its advocacy for players and strength as an organisation is quite incredible. It’s something I’m very proud to say I’m a part of.”