Throughout a 325-game career with Sydney, Bolton has built a reputation as one of the game’s toughest and most respected players. While his influence at the Swans can’t be surmised by looking at statistics, the fact he has laid more tackles than any player in the history of the game is a good starting point.

Described by St Kilda’s Lenny Hayes as “the ultimate competitor”, Bolton has finally hung up the boots – doing so as a dual Sydney Premiership player. He was a key figure in shaping the club’s famous ‘Bloods culture’, and an official member of the Swans’ leadership group from 2009 to 2013.

Rarely have players hunted the contest as fiercely as Bolton, yet he’s universally adored by supporters of all clubs, and regarded as one of the game’s genuine nice guys.

Several commentators have noted Bolton looks like Jane, but plays like Tarzan.

Tough and uncompromising to the end

His off-field actions reveal plenty about his character too. He has been an ambassador for Redkite, a charity that supports young people with cancer,for 13 years and has worked closely with the Volkswagen Environmental Program.

He has been a club delegate for the AFL Players’ Association since 2006 – where he will be greatly missed – and had an off-field leadership role in the ‘Team Swans Community Program’ between 2001 and 2008.

Bolton may maintain some involvement with AFL – he gained accreditation as a player agent in 2012 – but also has a Bachelor of Commerce under his belt, should he choose to follow a career path away from the game in 2014 and beyond.

Whichever path he elects to go down, he’s sure to attack the challenges in front of him head on – the only way he knows.

Bolton is one of eight nominees in line for this year’s AFL Players’ Madden Medal. The award is given to a retiring great each season, recognising the player’s contributions to the game both on and off the field. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Sofitel on Friday 4^th October .