But the league granted him EFL life membership at its annual meeting last Thursday, while also honouring The Basin players Matt Smith and Todd Power, who both passed 300 games during the past season.

Hartman, who retired this year after playing with Silvan, hit the 300-game milestone during a round 12 clash with the Bears, with whom he played 161 games. His total tally was closer to 370 senior games as he had also spent three seasons with Silvan in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League and one season in the mid-1990s with Echuca in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

"I wasn't going to get a life membership from an individual club because I had been on the coaching circuit at different clubs, so to get it through the league was a highlight," he said.

Hartman coached Coldstream to a division 4 premiership during his stint there from 2001-2003 and also played and coached at The Basin. He also played with Lilydale, North Ringwood and Heathmont.

He said he planned to move into veterans footy in 2012. "The boys at Silvan are trying to coax me out of retirement but my body has had enough. I love the people and the mateship, that's why I've kept playing for so many years. I will still get involved and help out a little around the club."

Silvan president Chris Maclagan said Hartman and his family had added a lot to the club. "Brett works at the lolly factory in Scoresby and brings some to training for the juniors; they think he is Santa Claus," Maclagan said, laughing.

Although Hartman won't have an official role at the club next year he hopes to still supply a few lollies for the juniors and the Silvan seniors in 2012.