List of individual match awards in the Australian Football League

In the Australian Football League, many teams contest trophies or individual awards on an annual or regular basis in individual premiership matches during the home-and-away season. Many of these awards honour a legend or legends of the competing clubs, or are used as part of events to support a charitable cause.

This list covers recurring trophies or awards in home-and-away matches of the AFL season. Not included are once-off awards, or awards presented in representative or finals matches.

Australian Football League

First awarded Club "A" Club "B" Team award Individual award Details
1965 Carlton Melbourne R. D. Barassi Trophy — Named in honour of Ron Barassi, Jr., who played with both clubs. The trophy was first presented in 1965, the year after Barassi transferred from Melbourne to Carlton.[1]
1986 Melbourne Richmond Berry Street Cup — Contested in support of Berry Street, a children and family welfare organisation.[2]
1993 Collingwood Carlton Peter Mac Cup — Played in support of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Once shared between the two clubs' home matches, but since 2009 always contested at Collingwood home games against Carlton.
1995 Essendon Western Bulldogs EJ Whitten Cup — Contested at each match between the teams. Named in honour of Footscray legend Ted Whitten.[3]
1997 Adelaide Port Adelaide Showdown Trophy Showdown Medal Showdown:
The best on ground award has been presented since 2000 to the best on ground Showdown matches. For Showdown XXXIX only, the medal was renamed the Phil Walsh Medal in honour of the late Port Adelaide assistant coach and Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, who was killed earlier in the month in which this particular Showdown took place.[4]
1997 St Kilda Western Bulldogs Barker–Whitten Challenge Plate — Named in honour of club legends Trevor Barker (St Kilda) and Ted Whitten (Footscray) and established in 1997, shortly after the deaths from cancer of both men. The match is played in support of the Trevor Barker Foundation, the EJ Whitten Foundation and Challenge, all three of which are foundations supporting cancer research and patients.[5]
1998 Carlton Essendon Madden Cup — Named in honour of brothers Simon Madden (378 games for Essendon) and Justin Madden (45 games for Essendon and 287 games for Carlton). Contested once per year, with home team alternating.[6]
1999 Hawthorn St Kilda Blue Ribbon Cup Silk–Miller Medal Played in support of the Victorian Police Blue Ribbon Foundation. The matches are played, and the best on ground medal is named, in honour of police officers Gary Silk and Rodney Miller, who were killed in the line of duty in August 1998.[7][8]
2000 Collingwood Essendon Perpetual ANZAC Day Trophy Anzac Medal Anzac Day clash:
Awarded to the player displaying the most courage, skill, self-sacrifice and teamwork in the match between Essendon and Collingwood. First awarded in 2000, then later awarded retrospectively back to 1995.[9] The Perpetual ANZAC Day Trophy has been awarded since 2000.[10]
2000 Collingwood Western Bulldogs Robert Rose Cup Bob Rose–Charlie Sutton Medal Played in support of the Robert Rose Foundation, which supports Victorians with spinal cord injuries, and named in honour of former Collingwood and Footscray player Robert Rose, who was paralysed in a car accident.[11]
Since 2007, the Rose–Sutton medal is awarded to the player who displays the most courage, skill, leadership and sportsmanship in the match; this is named after Bob Rose (Robert's father, of Collingwood) and Charlie Sutton (Footscray), who were both known for these attributes.[12]
2001 Fremantle West Coast RAC WA Trophy Glendinning–Allan Medal Western Derby:
Best on ground medal has been presented since 2001 and was originally named the Ross Glendinning Medal, named solely after Western Australian footballer Ross Glendinning. In 2018 the medal was renamed the Glendinning–Allan Medal to recognise the inaugural captains of both clubs. The Western Derby Trophy is known as the RAC WA Trophy for sponsorship purposes.
2002 Sydney Essendon (until 2013), Sir Doug Nicholls Round opponent (since 2014) Marn Grook Trophy — Named in honour of the historical Aboriginal game Marn Grook, often considered to be an ancestor of modern Australian rules football.[13]
2003 Carlton Hawthorn — David Parkin Medal Awarded to the best on ground in an annual match between the teams each season. Named in honour of former Hawthorn premiership player and premiership coach of both clubs David Parkin.[14]
2003 Collingwood North Melbourne — Jason McCartney Medal Awarded to the player displaying the most courage and determination in a match between the teams each season. Named in honour of North Melbourne and Collingwood player Jason McCartney, who survived the 2002 Bali bombings.[15]
— Not awarded since 2013.
2004 Collingwood Richmond Jack Dyer–Lou Richards Trophy — Named in honour of club legends Jack Dyer (Richmond) and Lou Richards (Collingwood).
2004 Geelong Western Bulldogs Western Victoria Cup — Sponsored by Origin Energy.[16]
2004 Port Adelaide various — Peter Badcoe VC Medal Awarded to the player displaying the most courage, teamwork and self-sacrifice in Port Adelaide's match during the Anzac Day Round. Named in honour of South Australian Vietnam War hero Major Peter Badcoe.[17]
2004 Richmond St Kilda — Ian Stewart Medal Awarded to the best on ground in an annual match between the teams each season. Named in honour of former St Kilda and Richmond player Ian Stewart, who won Brownlow Medals and premierships with both clubs.[18]
2005 Essendon Richmond Kevin Sheedy Cup Yiooken Award Dreamtime at the 'G:
Named in honour of former Richmond player and then-Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy.[19] The best on ground award, awarded since 2006, is named for the Woiwurrung word for 'dreaming'.[20]
2006 Hawthorn Geelong
(2006–2012) 		Beyond Blue Cup — Supporting and raising awareness for depression and anxiety through Beyond Blue Cup. Then-Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett was chairman of Beyond Blue at the time of the first contest.[21]
various
(2013–present)
2006 Essendon Melbourne
(2006–2011) 		— — Clash for Cancer match:[note 1]
Supporting and raising awareness for children's cancer charity Challenge.[22] Originally launched in 2006 following Adam Ramanauskas' cancer diagnosis in partnership with the Cancer Council of Victoria.[23] Players wore yellow armbands for the match, which the AFL had formally denied, resulted in the club being fined AU$20,000.[24] Since 2007 Essendon has incorporated yellow armbands into the left sleeve of the jumper, in agreement with AFL.[25]
various
(2012–present)
2008 Essendon North Melbourne — Archer–Hird Medal Awarded to the player displaying the most courage and determination in the first match between the teams each season. Named in honour of Glenn Archer (North Melbourne) and James Hird (Essendon), who were both known for their courage.
— Not awarded since 2013.[26]
2009 Carlton Collingwood Richard Pratt Cup Richard Pratt Medal Contested at Carlton home games against Collingwood. Played in support of the Pratt Foundation, and first played after the death in April 2009 of former Carlton president Richard Pratt.[27] The Richard Pratt Medal, first presented in 2012, is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground between the two teams.
2009 Hawthorn various Alec Campbell Cup Frank McDonald Medal Cup named in honour of Australia's last surviving Gallipoli veteran Alec Campbell, and the best on ground medal named in honour of Australia's last surviving decorated World War I veteran Frank MacDonald. Both awards were originally contested during the early 2000s in Anzac Day round home matches by the Tasmania VFL team; since 2009, after Tasmania folded, Hawthorn has contested the cup annually on or around Anzac Day in a match in Tasmania.[28]
2010 Adelaide Collingwood Westpac Community Cup — Played in support of a different community volunteer cause each year (past causes have included the Country Fire Authority and Surf Lifesavers of Victoria and South Australia.[29][30]
2010 Sydney West Coast HMAS Sydney II Trophy — Named in honour of the World War II cruiser named HMAS Sydney which was sunk in battle in 1941.[31]
2011 Brisbane Lions Gold Coast QClash Trophy Marcus Ashcroft Medal QClash:
The award for the best on ground in all QClash matches is named in honour of Queensland native Marcus Ashcroft, who played with Brisbane and was an assistant coach at Gold Coast.[32]
2012 Greater Western Sydney Sydney Lifeline Cup Brett Kirk Medal Sydney Derby:
Awarded to the winner of the Sydney Derby, currently sponsored by Lifeline The best on ground medals is named in honour of New South Wales native and former Sydney captain Brett Kirk.[33]
2012 Greater Western Sydney Western Bulldogs
(2012–2013) 		Prime Minister's Cup — Played at one of Greater Western Sydney's home matches in Canberra. The first two cups were played between GWS and Western Bulldogs – of which then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard was the number-one ticket holder – and the opponent has varied in fixtures since the end of Gillard's term.[34]
various
(2014–present)
2013 St Kilda various Simpson–Henderson Trophy ANZAC Medal New Zealand ANZAC Day clash:

Awarded to the winning team of St Kilda's home match in Wellington, New Zealand on Anzac Day. Named in honour of Australian John Simpson Kirkpatrick and New Zealander Richard Alexander Henderson, both known for carrying wounded soldiers from World War I battlefields on donkeys.[35]
— Not awarded since 2015.

2015 Collingwood Melbourne — Neale Daniher Trophy Queen's Birthday clash:
Awarded to the player adjudged best-on-ground during the annual match between the clubs. Named in honour of former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher.[36]
2017 Essendon Geelong — Tom Wills Award Awarded to the player adjudged best-on-ground during the annual Country Game between the clubs. Named in honour of Australian football founder Tom Wills.[37]
Club "A" & Club "B" are listed in alphabetical order, except when award is exclusive to the home fixtures of one club.
  1. ^ No official awards as this is a charity focused match.

AFL Women's

First awarded Club "A" Club "B" Team award Individual award Details
2013 Melbourne Western Bulldogs Hampson–Hardeman Cup — Named after women football pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman, who developed the first women's championships in 1998.[38]
2020 Brisbane Gold Coast QClash Trophy QClash Medal Awarded to the winner and best on ground in the QClash between the two Qld teams.
2020 Fremantle West Coast Women's Western Derby Trophy Derby Medal Awarded to the winner and best on ground in the Western Derby clash between the two WA teams.
2022 Adelaide Port Adelaide Showdown Plate Showdown Medal Awarded to the winner and best on ground in the Showdown clash between the two SA teams.
Club "A" & Club "B" are listed in alphabetical order, except when award is exclusive to the home fixtures of one club.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Barassi gets 'own' trophy". The Age. Melbourne. p. 20.
  2. ^ "Berry Street Cup returns for the 27th year". Melbourne Football Club. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  3. ^ "The EJ Whitten Cup". Essendon Football Club. 6 May 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Best and fairest player to be awarded Phil Walsh Medal at upcoming Showdown". abc.net.au. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  5. ^ "The Barker–Whitten Challenge". St Kilda Football Club. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Carlton in Round 3 & against the Bombers". Carlton Football Club. 12 April 2007. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Saints go marching on, right over the Hawks". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 June 2004.
  8. ^ Witham, Jennifer (15 July 2008). "Saints, Hawks do battle for real heroes". Archived from the original on 25 July 2008.
  9. ^ "Celebrating the Anzac Day clash". Essendon FC. April 2004. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Collingwood and Essendon leave lasting Anzac Day legacy". 18 April 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  11. ^ Strevens, Steve (1 September 2002). "In the name of the son". The Sunday Age.
  12. ^ Round 15 Celebrations
  13. ^ Richard Hinds (24 May 2002). "Marn Grook, a native game on Sydney's biggest stage". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  14. ^ Ben Hays (23 August 2003). "Hawks crush Blues". ABC. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  15. ^ Lyon, Karen (3 July 2003). "McCartney medal award".
  16. ^ "Origin Energy adds power to battle of the West this Sunday". 4 June 2004. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  17. ^ Peter Badcoe VC Medal, Port Adelaide FC.
  18. ^ Saints and Tigers to honour Stewart
  19. ^ Wilson, Caroline; Rielly, Stephen (3 March 2006). "Dons, Tigers join in 'dream' game". The Age.
  20. ^ "Dreamtime at the 'G". Sportingpulse. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Beyondblue". Good Company. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Essendon FC Charity Partners". Essendon FC. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  23. ^ "Bombers prepare for 'Clash for Cancer'". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 14 June 2006. Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  24. ^ "Bombers shocked by AFL sanction". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 19 June 2006. Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  25. ^ "Yellow armband to be incorporated into Essendon guernsey". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 September 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  26. ^ Connolly, Rohan (24 March 2014). "What happened to the Hird–Archer Medal?". The Age. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  27. ^ "Richard Pratt Cup puts cancer in focus". Herald Sun. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  28. ^ Kent Luttrell (Autumn 2009), Phil Pyke (ed.), "Report from vice-president north east", On Service, no. 37, Returned & Services League, Tasmania
  29. ^ Collingwood and Westpac announce new 5 year partnership
  30. ^ "Westpac Community Cup". Collingwood Football Club Foundation. Telstra Media. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  31. ^ Ted Graham; Bob King; Bob Trotter; Kim Kirsner, eds. (2014). The Search for HMAS Sydney: an Australian story. Sydney, NSW: New South Publishing. p. 284. ISBN 9781742234205.
  32. ^ QClash 1: Marcus Ashcroft Medal announced (1 May 2011)
  33. ^ Brett Kirk Medal to be awarded in Derby Archived 30 December 2012 at archive.today – sydneyswans.com.au. Published 3 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  34. ^ Cordy, Neil (23 April 2012). "Prime time for Giants and Bulldogs". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  35. ^ "Special trophy for historic clash". St Kilda Football Club. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  36. ^ Collins, Ben (8 June 2015). "Best player to receive Neale Daniher Trophy", AFL.com.au. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  37. ^ Thompson, Troy (12 May 2017). "Tom Wills to be honoured in Country Festival match", World Footy News. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  38. ^ First bounce for women's footy at the MCG