The Geelong legend was announced as a new inductee at the 2023 Australian Football Hall of Fame function at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Tuesday evening.

GIANTS Chairman Tony Shepherd, AO, offered his congratulations to Bartel on the momentous occasion.

“It’s an incredible honour to be elevated into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and a thoroughly deserved recognition of Jimmy’s contribution to our wonderful game.

“Jimmy’s playing career is clearly exceptional and he was an instrumental member of one of the most dominant teams of this century.

“Furthermore, his contribution to our club over more than five years as a voluntary Director and the head of our Football Committee has been an invaluable asset.

“We congratulate Jimmy and his family on this esteemed honour.”

The Australian Football Hall of Fame recognises contributions made to Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators.

Bartel played 305 games for the Geelong Cats from 2002-2016, kicking 202 goals.

He was a key member of the Cats side that won the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Premierships and was named an All Australian in 2007 and 2008.

He won the Brownlow Medal - the game’s highest individual honour - in 2007 and the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in the 2011 Grand Final.

Bartel joined the GIANTS Board in December, 2018.

“When my kids are older, they will know that dad was ok at something,” Bartel said upon hearing of his induction.

“You can’t hope or expect you will get this, and it’s an incredible honour. 

“To get a call from (AFL Chairman) Richard Goyder, I initially thought I’d got myself into trouble somehow with the AFL, but I love the history of the game and I consume the material around the Hall of Fame every year.

“I see the records that people have and I read all the big double big spreads that come out and I love seeing the absurd stats from some of the old-time players that you see go in.”