Gardiner Medal
Encyclopedia
The Gardiner Medal was an Australian rules football
award, formerly awarded to the best and fairest
player in the VFL
Reserves competition.
Officially named the Seconds prior to 1959 and the Reserves from 1959 onwards, the competition ran from 1919 until 1999 and the medal was first awarded in 1926.
The Medal was named in honour of Frank Gardiner, a former president of the VFL
Seconds.
The award was voted for by the field umpires at the conclusion of each match in the same format as used in the senior grade's Brownlow Medal
.
As for the Brownlow Medal
, ties were originally decided on a countback of who received the most "best-on-ground" votes. In 1992 three players who had previously been eliminated on a countback were awarded medals retrospectively for seasons 1950, 1970 and 1971.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
award, formerly awarded to the best and fairest
Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
player in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Reserves competition.
Officially named the Seconds prior to 1959 and the Reserves from 1959 onwards, the competition ran from 1919 until 1999 and the medal was first awarded in 1926.
The Medal was named in honour of Frank Gardiner, a former president of the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Seconds.
The award was voted for by the field umpires at the conclusion of each match in the same format as used in the senior grade's Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
.
As for the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
, ties were originally decided on a countback of who received the most "best-on-ground" votes. In 1992 three players who had previously been eliminated on a countback were awarded medals retrospectively for seasons 1950, 1970 and 1971.
Winners
- 1999 – Daniel HealyDaniel HealyDaniel Healy is a former Australian Rules Footballer, who played for St Kilda in the Australian Football League and for Central District in the South Australian National Football League. Healy was taken in the first round, pick number 6 overall, of the 1995 AFL Draft, and made his debut against...
(St Kilda) - 1998 – Simon ArnottSimon ArnottSimon Arnott is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans and Geelong in the Australian Football League.Arnott was a midfielder and made his league debut in 1995 with Sydney...
(Sydney) - 1997 – Brad LloydBrad LloydBrad Lloyd is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Australian Football League during the 1990s....
(Hawthorn) - 1996 – Trent NicholsTrent NicholsTrent Nichols is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond, West Coast and North Melbourne in the Australian Football League....
(North Melbourne) - 1995 – Simon CrawshaySimon CrawshaySimon Crawshay is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League .A ruckman, Crawshay played in three seasons for Hawthorn. He made nine appearances in both 1994 and 1995 but played just once in 1996 and was delisted...
(Hawthorn) - 1994 – David Bain (Fitzroy)
- 1993 – Rod KeoghRod KeoghRod Keogh is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and St Kilda in the Australian Football League....
(Melbourne) - 1992 – Mick DwyerMick DwyerMick Dwyer is a former Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda and Fitzroy in the Victorian/Australian Football League ....
(St Kilda) - 1991 – Stephen AndersonStephen Anderson (Australian footballer)Stephen Anderson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Australian Football League ....
(Collingwood) - 1990 – Rod KeoghRod KeoghRod Keogh is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and St Kilda in the Australian Football League....
(Melbourne) - 1989 – Michael KolMichael KolMichael Kol is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s....
(Geelong) - 1988 – Tony LiberatoreTony LiberatoreAnthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League ....
(Footscray) - 1987 – Brad GotchBrad GotchBradley Gotch is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy and St. Kilda in the Victorian Football LeagueGotch was one of smallest players of his era at 165cm and possessed an accurate left foot pass. Debuting in 1982 for Fitzroy, Gotch played thirty games in his first three years...
(St Kilda) - 1986 – Tony LiberatoreTony LiberatoreAnthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League ....
(Footscray) - 1985 – James Bennett (Hawthorn), Greg DearGreg DearGreg Dear is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn and Richmond in the VFL/AFL.A ruckman, Dear was a member of the strong Hawthorn sides of the late 1980s and a premiership player in 1986, 1988 and 1989. He could have had a fourth in 1991 but missed the entire seasondue to a...
(Hawthorn) - 1984 – Jim Stephenson (Footscray)
- 1983 – John Taylor (Footscray)
- 1982 – Roger MerrettRoger MerrettRoger Merrett is a former Australian rules footballer who played in two Victorian Football League premiership sides with the Essendon Football Club in the mid-1980s before moving to the fledging Brisbane Bears, later captaining the new club for seven seasons...
(Essendon) - 1981 – Malcolm ReedMalcolm Reed (footballer)Malcolm Reed is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League .Reed, recruited locally, made his VFL debut in 1978 but wasn't a regular member of the side until 1982. In between he enjoyed team success in the reserves, with premierships in 1980 and...
(Geelong), Daryl VernonDaryl VernonDaryl Vernon is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond and the Sydney Swans in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s....
(Richmond) - 1980 – Bill ValliBill ValliWilliam 'Bill' Valli is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and Essendon in the VFL.Valli had a noted career with WANFL club West Perth prior to arriving in the VFL. He played 148 senior games for West Perth between 1969 and 1978, winning their 'Fairest and best' award...
(Essendon) - 1979 – Colin BoydColin Boyd (footballer)Colin G. Boyd is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and Essendon in the Victorian Football League during the 1970s....
(Essendon) - 1978 – Alan GoadAlan GoadAlan Goad is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the VFL.A rover, Goad was a premiership player in 1976, kicking 2 goals in Hawthorn's grand final win over North Melbourne...
(Hawthorn) - 1977 – Daryl SchimmelbuschDaryl SchimmelbuschDaryl Schimmelbusch is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the VFL. He is the younger brother of Wayne Schimmelbusch....
(North Melbourne) - 1976 – Alan MangelsAlan MangelsAlan Mangels is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and Geelong in the Victorian Football League ....
(Carlton) - 1975 – Neil ChamberlainNeil ChamberlainNeil Chamberlain is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League .Chamberlain, from East Malvern, had his most productive year in 1974, playing nine senior games....
(Melbourne) - 1974 – Stephen CliffordStephen CliffordStephen 'Bomber' Clifford is a former Australian rules footballer in the South Australian National Football League, playing for the Port Adelaide Magpies and in the Victorian Football League, playing for the Collingwood Football Club....
(Collingwood) - 1973 – Vin CatoggioVin CatoggioVincenzo "Vin" Catoggio is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League.He was noted for his outrageous afro haircut and because of this was considered one of the real characters of the game...
(Carlton) - 1972 – Mike PokrovskyMike PokrovskyMike Pokrovsky is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League ....
(Footscray) - 1971 – Bruce BrownBruce Brown (footballer)Bruce W. Brown is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and Essendon in the Victorian Football League .From Essex Heights originally, Brown started his VFL career at Melbourne...
(Melbourne), Bob HeardBob HeardRobert "Bob" Heard is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood and Richmond in the Victorian Football League during the 1970s....
(Collingwood) - 1970 – Paul CalleryPaul CalleryPaul Callery is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1970s....
(Melbourne), Michael RedenbachMichael Redenbach (footballer born 1949)Michael E. Redenbach is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League .Redenbach was a blond haired half forward-flanker who arrived to North Melbourne from Bairnsdale....
(North Melbourne) - 1969 – Ken EmselleKen EmselleKen Emselle is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the VFL during the 1960s. His father Richie Emselle also played for Melbourne....
(Melbourne) - 1968 – Phil RhodenPhil RhodenPhillip "Phil" Rhoden is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League ....
(Melbourne) - 1967 – Ricky GrahamRicky GrahamRicky Graham is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong in the VFL during the late 1960s.He also captain-coached TFL club New Norfolk...
(Geelong) - 1966 – Darryl HerrodDarryl HerrodDarryl Herrod is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League .Herrod came to Geelong from Assumption College, in Kilmore...
(Geelong) - 1965 – Kevin JackmanKevin JackmanKevin Jackman is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League .Recruited locally from Seddon, Jack was a left-footed rover. He won the Gardiner Medal in 1965, for his performances in the VFL reserves competition...
(Footscray) - 1964 – Gary ArnoldGary ArnoldGary Arnold is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in the Victorian Football League .Arnold, a Tasmanian, was a rover who came to Richmond from Rosebery. He played nine games in the 1963 VFL season...
(Richmond) - 1963 – Wally ClarkWally Clark (footballer)Wally Clark was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League .Clark, who was at Fitzroy from underage level, played as a rover...
(Fitzroy) - 1962 – Jim GuttersonJim GuttersonJim Gutterson was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League ....
(Footscray) - 1961 – Jock O'BrienJock O'Brien (footballer born 1937)Jock F. O'Brien is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League ....
(North Melbourne) - 1960 – Neil TreziseNeil TreziseNeil Benjamin Trezise was an footballer in the VFL and Australian Labor Party politician, of Cornish descent.-Football career:...
(Geelong) - 1959 – Bill SheltonBill Shelton (footballer born 1936)William "Bill" Shelton is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League ....
(Hawthorn) - 1958 – John FisherJohn Fisher (Australian rules footballer)John Fisher is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the VFL.A wingman, Fisher debuted for Hawthorn in 1957 but it took a couple of seasons before he became a regular in the side. He won the Gardiner Medal in 1958 for the best player in the VFL reserves...
(Hawthorn) - 1957 – Les PridhamLes PridhamLeslie "Les" Pridham is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League ....
(Essendon) - 1956 – Graham KerrGraham Kerr (footballer)Graham Kerr is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League ....
(Melbourne) - 1955 – Doug Davies (Geelong)
- 1954 – Neil PearsonNeil Pearson (footballer)Neil Pearson was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League .Pearson made his debut in the opening round of the 1945 VFL season against Essendon and kicked four goals....
(Hawthorn) - 1953 – Col AustenCol AustenColin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952....
(Richmond) - 1952 – Leo O'HalloranLeo O'HalloranLeo O'Halloran was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League ....
(Geelong) - 1951 – Neil DoolanNeil DoolanNeil Doolan was an Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the VFL during the 1950s.Doolan played as both a wingman and centreman during his career, first appearing for North Melbourne in the 1951 season. He played most of that year however in the reserves competition and...
(North Melbourne) - 1950 – Doug Davies (Geelong), Jack O'HalloranJack O'Halloran (footballer)Jack O'Halloran is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon, North Melbourne and Footscray in the VFL during the 1950s....
(Essendon) - 1949 – Kevin CoghlanKevin Coghlan (footballer)Kevin "Skeeter" Coghlan is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood and Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League ....
(Collingwood) - 1948 – Joe RyanJoe Ryan (Australian rules footballer)Joe Ryan is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the VFL.Ryan topped Footscray's goalkicking in 1945 with 37 goals and won the club's best and fairest the following two seasons...
(Footscray) - 1947 – Pat TwomeyPat TwomeyPat Twomey was an Australian rules footballer, who played in the Victorian Football League, .Pat Twomey joined Collingwood in 1947, he had two stints with the Magpies, punctured by a spell with country club Warragul. Pat mainly played across the centreline or on a flank and started as a winger...
(Collingwood) - 1946 – J. McLeod (Footscray)
- 1945 – Harold Arthur (North Melbourne)
- 1944 – Dick WearmouthDick WearmouthRichard "Dick" Wearmouth was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League ....
(Footscray) - 1943 – Ernie HartErnie Hart (Australian footballer)Ernie Hart was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League .Hart played his only senior game for Melbourne a day after his 31st birthday, against Richmond at Punt Road Oval...
(Melbourne) - 1942 – K. Taylor (St Kilda)
- 1941 – Pat McNamaraPat McNamara (footballer)Pat J. McNamara was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League .McNamara was a wingman and half-forward, originally from St Pat's in East Melbourne...
(South Melbourne) - 1940 – Mick Price (Carlton)
- 1939 – Noel SmithNoel Smith (footballer)Noel Smith was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League ....
(Essendon) - 1938 – Bruce CalverleyBruce CalverleyBruce Calverley was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League ....
(Fitzroy) - 1937 – Alec PeakAlec PeakAlec Peak was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League .Peak was the first St Kilda player to win a Gardiner Medal, taking home the seconds Best and Fairest award in 1937...
(St Kilda) - 1936 – Marcus BoyallMarcus BoyallMarcus Boyall is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his playing career with Collingwood, VFL, and Glenelg, SANFL, in the 1930s and 1940s.- VFL career :...
(Collingwood) - 1935 – Joe KinnearJoe Kinnear (Australian footballer)Joseph 'Joe' David Kinnear was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1930s....
(Melbourne) - 1934 – Richie SaundersRichie SaundersRichie W. Saunders was an Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League ....
(Richmond) - 1933 – Ern UttingErn UttingErnest 'Ern' Utting was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League . He was also commonly referred to as Tich Utting....
(Hawthorn) - 1932 – A. Logan (Hawthorn)
- 1931 – A. Franke (North Melbourne)
- 1930 – Selwyn BakerSelwyn BakerSelwyn James Baker was an Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne and Collingwood in the Victorian Football League .Baker played his early football at Scotch College and for Kew...
(Richmond), Max KellyMax Kelly (footballer)Sydney Max Kelly was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League .Kelly, who came locally Geelong West, performed well in the 1930 VFL seconds season. He was joint winner of the Gardiner Medal, with Richmond's Selwyn Baker and was on a wing in Geelong's...
(Geelong) - 1929 – Bob RossBob Ross (footballer)Bob Ross was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the Victorian Football League .Ross was unable to establish himself in the Collingwood team from the limited oppotunites that he got...
(Collingwood) - 1928 – Norman Driver (Melbourne), Jim MoneyJim MoneyJim Money was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League .Money appeared in just two senior games for Geelong, both in the 1928 VFL season. He however played well in the league seconds that year, sharing the Gardiner Medal with Norman Driver of...
(Geelong) - 1927 – Sam Jamison (Richmond)
- 1926 – Alby JacobsenAlby JacobsenAlbert "Alby" Jacobsen was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne and Essendon in the Victorian Football League .Jacobsen was a follower who came to South Melbourne via amateur club Leopold...
(South Melbourne), R. James (Essendon)