Five of the AFL's more decorated players have been announced as earners of AFL Life Membership, set to be officially inaugurated at the launch of the 2025 premiership season.
The five stars have played well over a decade at the top flight and are considered club legends at their respective teams, and given their provision of reaching 300 games, are automatic inductees.
New Roo and premiership Eagle Jack Darling, who is just two appearances away from cracking the 300-game milestone, is one of the players to be inducted at the season launch.
Darling is ranked second for all-time goals at West Coast, behind his partner-in-crime and 2023 life member Josh Kennedy.
Recently retired Eagle and former teammate of Darling Andrew Gaff has also earned life membership for playing 280 games at West Coast. Gaff was a two-time All-Australian throughout his 14-year career.
295-gamer and dual-premiership Cat Mitch Duncan is also set to earn AFL life membership after a fruitful one-club career at Geelong.
The 33-year-old will be joined by recently retired Geelong defender Zach Tuohy, who played 288 games across his AFL career at Kardinia Park and Carlton, the most ever by an Irish-born footballer.
Tuohy also participated in six International Rules Test series between Ireland and Australia and has been a key figure in promoting AFL to Gaelic players.
Triple-premiership Hawk Liam Shiels will also receive life membership after a glittering career forged through his hard-nosed tackling approach, averaging 8.5 tackles per game for the entirety of the 2016 AFL season.
Shiels was brought out of his decision to retire to join Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne in 2023, providing veteran leadership to a youthful group, ultimately increasing his games tally to 288 by his 2024 retirement.
Leigh Fisher, a former St Kilda player and current field umpire with over 300 combined games will also hear his name called out at the season launch.
The AFL will also induct life members for their service to the game off the field.
Former CEO Gillon McLachlan left a lasting legacy on the game after overtaking Andrew Demitriou in 2014 before passing on the role in 2023.
In his nine-year stint, McLachlan led the introduction of the AFLW competition and ensured its expansion to all 18 AFL clubs, acquired and upgraded Marvel Stadium, secured the league's largest-ever broadcast rights deal, and introduced Next Generation Academies to ensure pathways for Indigenous and multicultural junior footballers were improved.
Previously as deputy CEO, McLachlan oversaw the expansion teams Gold Coast and GWS introduced into the AFL.
The late Michael Turner, a Geelong premiership hero, will also be recognised for his 245-game career and later 24-year stint as Geelong Falcons regional manager.
Barry Capuano, a long-time Essendon servant, will also earn AFL life membership after playing 118 games at the club in the 1960s, before becoming the club's CEO in the 1980s.
David Flegg, a 337-game goal umpire, will also be announced as a life member, as will the inaugural chairman at GWS, Anthony Shepherd.
Dr Ian Stone will receive a nomination due to over 40 years of medical expertise and service within the AFL industry, while Georgie Day will earn the Jack Titus Award for her voluntary commitment at St Kilda , likewise contributing for over four decades.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon commended all those inducted.