Two great mates, over 200 games each at the one club, two AFL journeys that began back in 1999. It seems only fitting that veteran Bulldogs Lindsay Gilbee and Ryan Hargrave will walk off Whitten Oval today after training the same way they started their senior football careers 13 years ago - together.

“Shaggy and I were both from the same draft , we both moved into the same suburb, he was one street away down in Altona where the Club put us, ” Gilbee reminisced with westernbulldogs.com.au

Watch retiring Bulldogs Lindsay Gilbee and Ryan Hargrave on the media player above as they reflect on their time at the Kennel and the legacy they hope to leave at the Club.

Recruited to the Kennel alongside current teammates Daniel Giansiracusa and Robert Murphy, and former Dog now Collingwood development coach Mitch Hahn, Gilbee and Hargrave were cornerstones of the Bulldogs draft class of ’99 that has contributed over 1000 games to the red, white and blue.

Stepping away from the big leagues, the duo both admit to being keen to get a kick in a local football competition. The laidback pair look forward to the prospect of a quiet ale after a game with mates on a Saturday afternoon.

On how they would like to be remembered by the club they called home for over a decade, Gilbee’s hopes are simple. 

“I’d just like to be remembered by the guys as a really good teammate who gave his all for the footy club, left no stone unturned, and that I was a good person to be around.”

Hargrave echoed similar sentiments.

“As long as my teammates were happy, that I was someone my teammates want to play with, and a good bloke to be around. Those are the main things.”

As for their wishes for the current playing group and the Club going forward, Hargrave let his good mate have the final word.

 “Hopefully we can at least leave something that they can take on to the next generation of young guys coming through. There’d be nothing prouder than whenever it will be that the Bulldogs win the flag I’ll definitely be going to the game.”

“Well said Gilbs,” Hargave responded. 

Well said indeed.