There is some extra motivation for Rochester to push deep during this years finals series.

Club legends Elliot Bowen, Sam Brennan and Heath Aitken have all announced this season will be their last.

Aitken celebrated his 200th game during Saturdays win against Shepparton Swans, with Bowen reaching the same milestone in round eight this season.

Brennan notched up the same games tally in 2015 and claimed the clubs best-and-fairest award last season.

Rochester playing coach James Flaherty said the club made sure to announce their retirements before the end of the regular season for added incentive in the lead in to the Tigers elimination final against Euroa.

That was the reasoning behind it and not just the only reason, but we wanted to do it properly and celebrate their careers, not just for them to put their hand up after our last game this season and say by the way, were retiring, he said.

We wanted to do it properly and now I suppose its up to the playing group and what they can do (during finals).

Aitken and Bowen came to their decision in the past month, with Brennan coming to the same conclusion earlier in the year.

Flaherty said Aitkens issues with concussion this season played a part in his call, with the forward suffering a host of injuries during his 15 years at Rochester.

At a club function on Saturday night supporters had a chance to acknowledge the trios contribution.

Some might have seen it coming, for others it was a bit of a shock, but it seemed like the right thing to do, a lot of people were going up to them and shaking their hand to congratulate them and were understanding of their call, Flaherty said.

A hole of more than 600 games from the senior team will be left next season.

Its going to be hard to replace three quality players and quality people, but I suppose you look at this year and weve had the opportunity to play some of the younger kids and play five or six from the thirds, Flaherty said.

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Retiring champs motivation for finals - Shepparton News