W. S. Crichton Medal
Encyclopedia
The W.S. Crichton Medal is the name given to Best and Fairest
award for Australian rules football
team the Essendon Football Club
. The naming of the award is to honour Walter S. Crichton, a former administrator for Essendon (who was a committeeman from 1926-1931, vice-president from 1932-1940, and president from 1941-1959).
The Best and Fairest award has been awarded since 1897, although before 1921 records of winners are patchy; the award was suspended during World War I
.
Recipients:
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...
award for Australian rules football
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...
team the Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. The naming of the award is to honour Walter S. Crichton, a former administrator for Essendon (who was a committeeman from 1926-1931, vice-president from 1932-1940, and president from 1941-1959).
The Best and Fairest award has been awarded since 1897, although before 1921 records of winners are patchy; the award was suspended during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Recipients:
Year | Winner |
2011 | David Zaharakis David Zaharakis David Zaharakis is an Australian rules footballer for Essendon in the Australian Football League who is of Greek heritage.-Career:... |
2010 | Jobe Watson Jobe Watson Jobe Watson is the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is the son of former Essendon player Tim Watson.-Early life:... |
2009 | Jobe Watson Jobe Watson Jobe Watson is the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is the son of former Essendon player Tim Watson.-Early life:... |
2008 | David Hille David Hille David Hille is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.He debuted in 2001 with the Essendon Football Club and has been a solid ruckman for a number of years.... |
2007 | James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... |
2006 | Scott Lucas Scott Lucas (footballer) Scott Lucas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, and is noted as the other major forward for the Bombers, along with Matthew Lloyd... |
2005 | Jason Johnson Jason Johnson (Australian rules footballer) Jason Johnson is retired Australian rules footballer who spent his entire professional career with Essendon of the Australian Football League .... |
2004 | Adam McPhee Adam McPhee Adam McPhee is an Australian rules football football player who plays for the Fremantle Football Club and formerly for the Essendon Football Club. He is a versatile player who has played both as a forward and defender, and recently has also moved into a tagging role, with high profile clashes with... |
2003 | James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... , Scott Lucas Scott Lucas (footballer) Scott Lucas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, and is noted as the other major forward for the Bombers, along with Matthew Lloyd... (tied) |
2002 | Mark Johnson Mark Johnson (footballer) Mark 'MJ' Johnson is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Football Club and Fremantle in the AFL.-Early life:Johnson is commonly known as "Mr... |
2001 | Jason Johnson Jason Johnson (Australian rules footballer) Jason Johnson is retired Australian rules footballer who spent his entire professional career with Essendon of the Australian Football League .... |
2000 | Dustin Fletcher Dustin Fletcher Dustin Fletcher is an Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club. He is renowned as one of the finest defenders in the AFL, and has played at full-back for his team for many years. He is the son of former Bombers captain Ken Fletcher... |
1999 | Mark Mercuri Mark Mercuri Mark Mercuri was a professional Australian rules football player for Essendon. He played in the 1993 Grand final winning team which defeated Carlton... |
1998 | Damien Hardwick Damien Hardwick Damien Patrick Hardwick is a former Australian rules footballer and the coach of the Richmond Football Club.-Early life:He attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully.-AFL playing career:... |
1997 | Sean Denham Sean Denham Sean Denham is a former Australian rules footballer.Recruited from Melton South, Denham was an unheralded rover, who came to Essendon from Geelong in a swap that saw ruckman John Barnes sent the other way following the 1991 season. His style of play as a tagging run-with player, typified during... |
1996 | James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... (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... winner) |
1995 | James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... |
1994 | James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... |
1993 | Gary O'Donnell |
1992 | Mark Harvey Mark Harvey Mark Harvey is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Essendon Football Club. He played 206 games from 1984 to 1997, kicking 190 goals, and was assistant coach at Essendon from 1998 to 2005... |
1991 | Alan Ezard Alan Ezard Alan Ezard is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL.Originally from Broadford, Victoria, Ezard made his debut with the Essendon Football Club in 1983 and made a name for himself as a very strong mark for a 173 cm man, playing mostly in the back pocket or as a rover... |
1990 | Mark Thompson |
1989 | Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams... |
1988 | Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams... |
1987 | Mark Thompson |
1986 | Glenn Hawker Glenn Hawker Glenn Hawker was an Australian rules footballer. A classy left footer for the Essendon Football Club during the late 1970s and 1980s, Hawker played 200 games for the Bombers, including their 1984 and 1985 premiership sides, before finishing his career with rival team Carlton. He was originally... |
1985 | Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams... |
1984 | Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989.... |
1983 | Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989.... |
1982 | Terry Daniher Terry Daniher Terrence "Terry" John Daniher is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the South Melbourne and Essendon Football Clubs in the Australian Football League . Terry was also an Assistant Coach to the Essendon, Collingwood, St Kilda and Carlton Football Clubs. Terry's brothers, Neale,... |
1981 | Neale Daniher Neale Daniher Neale Francis Daniher is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . Neale was also an Assistant Coach to the Essendon and Fremantle Football Clubs and the Coach of the Victorian State Team and the Melbourne Football Club... |
1980 | Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams... |
1979 | Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989.... |
1978 | Ken Fletcher Ken Fletcher (footballer) Ken Fletcher is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers. He is the father of Dustin Fletcher who was drafted into the club through the father son rule.... |
1977 | Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989.... |
1976 | Graham Moss Graham Moss Graham Moss is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League and the Victorian Football League . He was a Brownlow Medal-winning ruckman and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club... (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... winner) |
1975 | Graham Moss Graham Moss Graham Moss is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League and the Victorian Football League . He was a Brownlow Medal-winning ruckman and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club... |
1974 | Graham Moss Graham Moss Graham Moss is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League and the Victorian Football League . He was a Brownlow Medal-winning ruckman and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club... |
1973 | Andrew Wilson Andy Wilson (Australian rules footballer) Andy Wilson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the 1970s.A rover, Wilson had his best season in 1973 when he kicked 40 goals and won the W. S. Crichton Medal as Essendon's best and fairest player.-External links:... |
1972 | Neville Fields Neville Fields Neville Fields is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and South Melbourne in the VFL.Fields was a left footed centreman and won Essendon's 'Most improved player' award in 1971. He was their best and fairest the following season and went on to represent Victoria in... |
1971 | Barry Davis Barry Davis Barry Davis is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League with Essendon and North Melbourne, before coaching his original team between 1978–1980.- Essendon career :... |
1970 | Daryl Gerlach |
1969 | Barry Davis Barry Davis Barry Davis is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League with Essendon and North Melbourne, before coaching his original team between 1978–1980.- Essendon career :... |
1968 | Barry Davis Barry Davis Barry Davis is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League with Essendon and North Melbourne, before coaching his original team between 1978–1980.- Essendon career :... |
1967 | John Birt John Birt (footballer) John Birt is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. Birt had an unusual physical characteristic that sometimes reduced his capacity to impose authority in one-on-one situations; whenever he spoke, the tip of his nose would move.Birt was a rover and after being... |
1966 | Don McKenzie Don McKenzie (footballer) Don McKenzie is a former Australian rules footballer who played 266 senior games for the Essendon Bombers from 1960 to 1974... |
1965 | John Birt John Birt (footballer) John Birt is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. Birt had an unusual physical characteristic that sometimes reduced his capacity to impose authority in one-on-one situations; whenever he spoke, the tip of his nose would move.Birt was a rover and after being... |
1964 | Ken Fraser Ken Fraser Ken Fraser is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Ken Fraser was an outstanding centre half-forward, Essendon Football Club captain, premiership captain and player, and Victorian representative.In 2001 Fraser was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of... |
1963 | Ken Fraser Ken Fraser Ken Fraser is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Ken Fraser was an outstanding centre half-forward, Essendon Football Club captain, premiership captain and player, and Victorian representative.In 2001 Fraser was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of... |
1962 | Jack Clarke Jack E. Clarke Jack E. Clarke was an Australian rules footballer and coach in the VFL. An Essendon and Victorian champion, Clarke was one of the premier midfielders of the VFL for well over a decade, leading the mighty Dons to the flag in 1962 when captain and also playing in the victorious 1965 side... |
1961 | John Birt John Birt (footballer) John Birt is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. Birt had an unusual physical characteristic that sometimes reduced his capacity to impose authority in one-on-one situations; whenever he spoke, the tip of his nose would move.Birt was a rover and after being... |
1960 | Reg Burgess Reg Burgess Reg Burgess is a former Australian rules footballer who played 124 Victorian Football League games for the Essendon Bombers.... |
1959 | Hugh Mitchell Hugh Mitchell (footballer) Hugh Mitchell is a former Australian rules footballer and coach who played for Essendon in the VFL and Dandenong Football Club during the 1950s and 60s.-Early career at Essendon:... |
1958 | Jack Clarke Jack E. Clarke Jack E. Clarke was an Australian rules footballer and coach in the VFL. An Essendon and Victorian champion, Clarke was one of the premier midfielders of the VFL for well over a decade, leading the mighty Dons to the flag in 1962 when captain and also playing in the victorious 1965 side... |
1957 | Reg Burgess Reg Burgess Reg Burgess is a former Australian rules footballer who played 124 Victorian Football League games for the Essendon Bombers.... |
1956 | Bill Hutchison |
1955 | Bill Hutchison |
1954 | John Gill |
1953 | Bill Hutchison (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... winner) |
1952 | Bill Hutchison (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... winner) |
1951 | Norm McDonald |
1950 | Bill Hutchison |
1949 | John Coleman |
1948 | Bill Hutchison |
1947 | Bill Hutchison |
1946 | Wally Buttsworth Wally Buttsworth Wallace 'Wally' Buttsworth was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers during the 1940s... |
1945 | Wally Buttsworth Wally Buttsworth Wallace 'Wally' Buttsworth was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers during the 1940s... |
1944 | Perc Bushby Perc Bushby Percy "Perc" Bushby was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .He played in the Essendon premiership teams in 1942 and 1946... |
1943 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... |
1942 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... |
1941 | Wally Buttsworth Wally Buttsworth Wallace 'Wally' Buttsworth was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers during the 1940s... |
1940 | Hugh Torney Hugh Torney (footballer) Hugh Torney was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A ruckman, Torney kicked with his left foot and formed a lethal combination during his career with rover Dick Reynolds. He had his finest season in 1940, winning the Essendon Best and Fairest award and finishing... |
1939 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... |
1938 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... (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... winner) |
1937 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... (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... winner) |
1936 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... |
1935 | Keith Forbes Keith Forbes Keith Forbes is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers. A small goalkicking rover, he stood at 171 cm and was runner-up in the 1935 Brownlow Medal. Forbes was twice a best and fairest winner for Essendon.Forbes kicked his 200th VFL goal in 1932 and was the... |
1934 | Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... (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... winner) |
1933 | Paddy Walsh |
1932 | Syd Carman Syd Carman Syd Carman was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A centreman, Carman was the Essendon Best and Fairest winner in 1932 and also achieved Victorian interstate selection. After retiring as a player he became club treasurer.-External links:... |
1931 | Tom Clarke Tom Clarke (Australian rules footballer) Thomas Clarke was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A wingman, Clarke won Essendon's best and fairest in 1931. He finished his career in the VFA with Brunswick. His son Ron went on to become an Olympic medalist in athletics and his other son Jack played 263 games... |
1930 | Keith Forbes Keith Forbes Keith Forbes is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers. A small goalkicking rover, he stood at 171 cm and was runner-up in the 1935 Brownlow Medal. Forbes was twice a best and fairest winner for Essendon.Forbes kicked his 200th VFL goal in 1932 and was the... |
1929 | Howard Okey Howard Okey Howard Okey was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the VFL.Okey was a pacy centreman, winning Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1929. He also represented Victoria at interstate football three times during his career.-External links:... |
1928 | Norm Beckton Norm Beckton Norm Beckton was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the 1920s.Beckton played as a ruckman and won Essendon's best and fairest in 1928. A premiership player in 1923 and 1924, Beckton also represented Victoria during his career. He captained Essendon in 1929... |
1927 | Frank Maher Frank Maher (footballer) Frank H. Maher , is a former Australian footballer, and coach in the Victorian Football League.He served in the army in World War I from 1916 to 1919, and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry for his actions in France on 19 May 1918.He only began playing football when serving overseas with... |
1926 | Joe Harrison Joe Harrison Joe Harrison was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.Harrison was a member of a premiership side in his debut season with Essendon, playing at half back in the club's 1923 Grand Final win. He went on to play 64 games for Essendon, winning their Best and Fairest award... |
1925 | Greg Stockdale Greg Stockdale Greg Stockdale was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League during the 1920s.... |
1924 | Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .A brilliant centre halfback, he commenced his career with Essendon Football Club 1918. Transferred to Sydney in 1921 with his employment, Fitzmaurice played the next two seasons in the local competition and... |
1923 | Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .A brilliant centre halfback, he commenced his career with Essendon Football Club 1918. Transferred to Sydney in 1921 with his employment, Fitzmaurice played the next two seasons in the local competition and... |
1922 | Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .A brilliant centre halfback, he commenced his career with Essendon Football Club 1918. Transferred to Sydney in 1921 with his employment, Fitzmaurice played the next two seasons in the local competition and... |
1920 | Jack Garden Jack Garden Jack Garden was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A wingman, Garden debuted for Essendon in 1915 but didn't play again 1920 due to war service. He won the Essendon Best and Fairest award in his first year back and the following season made his first appearance for... |
1913 | Fred Baring Fred Baring Frederick Albert Baring was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League during the early 1900s. In 1997 he was named at fullback in Essendon's official Team of the Century.... |
1912 | Ernie Cameron Ernie Cameron Ernest J. "Ginger" Cameron was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. He was a premiership player for the club in 1911.A rover, nicknamed "Ginger", he made his debut for Essendon in 1905... |
1911 | Ernie Cameron Ernie Cameron Ernest J. "Ginger" Cameron was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. He was a premiership player for the club in 1911.A rover, nicknamed "Ginger", he made his debut for Essendon in 1905... |
1909 | Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the early days of the VFL. A centre half back and part time ruckman, he was also known by his nickname 'Buzzy'.... |
1908 | Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the early days of the VFL. A centre half back and part time ruckman, he was also known by his nickname 'Buzzy'.... |
1906 | Jack McKenzie Jack McKenzie (footballer) Jack Joseph "Dookie" McKenzie was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League .... |
1903 | Hugh Gavin Hugh Gavin Lodovic Hugh Gavin was an Australian rules footballer who played 108 games with Essendon in the years following the formation of the Victorian Football League .... |
1901 | Albert Thurgood Albert Thurgood Albert John "The Great" Thurgood was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football Association , Victorian Football League and the Western Australian Football Association .... |