Before the AFL became the national league for Australian Rules Football each state competition had an annual award for the best and fairest player.
South Australia has the Magarey Medal awarded annually since 1897 with the exception of 1916 -18 and 1942 - 44.
Western Australia has the Sandover Medal, awarded annually since 1921.
Victoria has the Brownlow Medal, awarded annually since 1924 with the exception of 1942 - 44.
Tasmania had the Lietch Medal from 1930 - 34 and 1945 to 2000.
Now that we have a national competition is it appropriate to celebrate the tradition of only one state competition in the award for the best player in the national league? I would argue no.
It would be great to reflect the traditions of all the state leagues in the name of the best and fairest award for the national league. One possibility would be to include all the names in the title but Magarey Sandover Brownlow Lietch Medal is a mouthful!
South Australian's might want to argue that their medal has the longest tradition. Victorians might want to argue that the AFL is the continuation of the VFL and West Australians might argue that the Sandover Medal has the longest continuous history by virtue of being awarded throughout the WWII years. The problem remains that each award represents a state competition.
I would like to nominate Haydn Bunton (Snr) as the most appropriate footballer to give his name to the award for best player in our national competition.
Many believe that Haydn Bunton is the best player ever of Aussie Rules. He has connections with four states. He was born in New South Wales, was recruited by Fitzroy in 1931 playing 119 games before being recruited by Subiaco in 1938 at the height of his powers and playing 72 games there, then finishing at Port Adelaide in 1945 with 17 games. Bunton won 3 Brownlow Medals and three Sandover medals in an incredible career.
It's time to celebrate the AFL's best footballer with a truly national award - THE HAYDN BUNTON MEDAL.
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Career summary from the AFL website
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=halloffame&spg=legends
Haydn Bunton senior (Fitzroy/Subiaco/Port Adelaide)
5/7/1911-5/9/1955
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Champion rover through the Depression years. A brilliant runner and ball-winner.
Playing career: 1931-1942; 1945 (Fitzroy 1931-1937, 1942, Subiaco 1938-1941, PA 1945)
Games: 208 (Fitz 119, Sub 72, PA 17) Goals: 427 (Fitz 207, Sub 190, PA 30)
Player honors: Brownlow Medal 1931, 1932, 1935, 2nd Brownlow Medal 1934; Sandover Medal 1938, 1939, 1941; Fitz best and fairest 1934, 1935; Fitz leading goalkicker 1936, 1937; Fitz captain 1932, 1936, 1937.
Coaching record: Fitzroy 1936 (18 games, 2 wins, 16 losses)
South Australia has the Magarey Medal awarded annually since 1897 with the exception of 1916 -18 and 1942 - 44.
Western Australia has the Sandover Medal, awarded annually since 1921.
Victoria has the Brownlow Medal, awarded annually since 1924 with the exception of 1942 - 44.
Tasmania had the Lietch Medal from 1930 - 34 and 1945 to 2000.
Now that we have a national competition is it appropriate to celebrate the tradition of only one state competition in the award for the best player in the national league? I would argue no.
It would be great to reflect the traditions of all the state leagues in the name of the best and fairest award for the national league. One possibility would be to include all the names in the title but Magarey Sandover Brownlow Lietch Medal is a mouthful!
South Australian's might want to argue that their medal has the longest tradition. Victorians might want to argue that the AFL is the continuation of the VFL and West Australians might argue that the Sandover Medal has the longest continuous history by virtue of being awarded throughout the WWII years. The problem remains that each award represents a state competition.
I would like to nominate Haydn Bunton (Snr) as the most appropriate footballer to give his name to the award for best player in our national competition.
Many believe that Haydn Bunton is the best player ever of Aussie Rules. He has connections with four states. He was born in New South Wales, was recruited by Fitzroy in 1931 playing 119 games before being recruited by Subiaco in 1938 at the height of his powers and playing 72 games there, then finishing at Port Adelaide in 1945 with 17 games. Bunton won 3 Brownlow Medals and three Sandover medals in an incredible career.
It's time to celebrate the AFL's best footballer with a truly national award - THE HAYDN BUNTON MEDAL.
.........................................................................................................................
Career summary from the AFL website
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=halloffame&spg=legends
Haydn Bunton senior (Fitzroy/Subiaco/Port Adelaide)
5/7/1911-5/9/1955
Inducted: 1996 Elevated to Legend: 1996
Champion rover through the Depression years. A brilliant runner and ball-winner.
Playing career: 1931-1942; 1945 (Fitzroy 1931-1937, 1942, Subiaco 1938-1941, PA 1945)
Games: 208 (Fitz 119, Sub 72, PA 17) Goals: 427 (Fitz 207, Sub 190, PA 30)
Player honors: Brownlow Medal 1931, 1932, 1935, 2nd Brownlow Medal 1934; Sandover Medal 1938, 1939, 1941; Fitz best and fairest 1934, 1935; Fitz leading goalkicker 1936, 1937; Fitz captain 1932, 1936, 1937.
Coaching record: Fitzroy 1936 (18 games, 2 wins, 16 losses)