List of individual match awards in the Australian Football League explained

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

class=unsortable align="center"First awardedClub "A"Club "B"class=unsortable width="75px"Team awardclass=unsortable width="75px"Individual awardclass=unsortable Details
1965R. 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]
1986Berry Street Cup Contested in support of Berry Street, a children and family welfare organisation.[2]
1993Peter 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.
1995EJ Whitten CupContested at each match between the teams. Named in honour of legend Ted Whitten.[3]
1997 Showdown TrophyShowdown MedalShowdown


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]

1997Barker–Whitten Challenge Plate Named in honour of club legends Trevor Barker and Ted Whitten 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]
1998Madden CupNamed in honour of brothers Simon Madden (378 games for) and Justin Madden (45 games for Essendon and 287 games for). Contested once per year, with home team alternating.[6]
1999Blue Ribbon Cup Silk–Miller MedalPlayed 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]
2000Perpetual ANZAC Day Trophy Anzac MedalAnzac 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]

2000Robert Rose Cup Bob Rose–Charlie Sutton MedalPlayed 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) and Charlie Sutton, who were both known for these attributes.[12]
2001RAC WA TrophyGlendinning–Allan MedalWestern 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 (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]
2003David Parkin MedalAwarded 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]
2003Jason McCartney MedalAwarded 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.
2004Jack Dyer–Lou Richards TrophyNamed in honour of club legends Jack Dyer and Lou Richards .
2004Western Victoria Cup Sponsored by Origin Energy.[16]
2004variousPeter Badcoe VC MedalAwarded 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]
2004Ian Stewart MedalAwarded 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]
2005Kevin Sheedy Cup Yiooken AwardDreamtime 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
(2006–2012)
Beyond Blue CupSupporting 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
(2006–2011)
Clash for Cancer match

[22]
Supporting and raising awareness for children's cancer charity Challenge.[23] Originally launched in 2006 following Adam Ramanauskas' cancer diagnosis in partnership with the Cancer Council of Victoria.[24] Players wore yellow armbands for the match, which the AFL had formally denied, resulted in the club being fined AU$20,000.[25] Since 2007 Essendon has incorporated yellow armbands into the left sleeve of the jumper, in agreement with AFL.[26]

various
(2012–present)
2008Archer–Hird MedalAwarded to the player displaying the most courage and determination in the first match between the teams each season. Named in honour of Glenn Archer and James Hird, who were both known for their courage.
— Not awarded since 2013.[27]
2009Richard Pratt Cup Richard Pratt MedalContested 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.[28] The Richard Pratt Medal, first presented in 2012, is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground between the two teams.
2009variousAlec Campbell CupFrank McDonald MedalCup 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, has contested the cup annually on or around Anzac Day in a match in Tasmania.
2010Westpac 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]
2010HMAS Sydney II TrophyNamed in honour of the World War II cruiser named which was sunk in battle in 1941.[31]
2011QClash Trophy Marcus Ashcroft MedalQClash


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]

2012Lifeline Cup Brett Kirk MedalSydney 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
(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 – 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)
2013variousSimpson–Henderson Trophy ANZAC MedalNew Zealand ANZAC Day clash


Awarded to the winning team of '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.

2015Neale Daniher TrophyQueen'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]

2017Tom Wills AwardAwarded 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.

AFL Women's

class=unsortable align="center"First awardedClub "A"Club "B"class=unsortable width="75px"Team awardclass=unsortable width="75px"Individual awardclass=unsortable Details
2013Hampson–Hardeman CupNamed after women football pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman, who developed the first women's championships in 1998.[38]
2020QClash TrophyQClash MedalAwarded to the winner and best on ground in the QClash between the two Qld teams.
2020FremantleWest CoastWomen's Western Derby TrophyDerby MedalAwarded to the winner and best on ground in the Western Derby clash between the two WA teams.
2022AdelaidePort AdelaideShowdown PlateShowdown MedalAwarded 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

Notes and References

  1. News: The Age. Barassi gets 'own' trophy. 20. Melbourne.
  2. Web site: Berry Street Cup returns for the 27th year. 4 July 2012. 23 May 2015. Melbourne Football Club.
  3. Web site: The EJ Whitten Cup. 6 May 2004. 23 May 2015. Essendon Football Club.
  4. Web site: Best and fairest player to be awarded Phil Walsh Medal at upcoming Showdown. abc.net.au. 16 July 2015. 16 July 2015.
  5. Web site: The Barker–Whitten Challenge. 6 May 2015. 23 May 2015. St Kilda Football Club.
  6. Web site: Carlton in Round 3 & against the Bombers. 12 April 2007. 24 July 2011. Carlton Football Club. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120323143940/http://www.carltonfc.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=4311&newsId=41115. 23 March 2012.
  7. News: Saints go marching on, right over the Hawks. 19 June 2004 . The Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20080725071750/http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=63365. Saints, Hawks do battle for real heroes. Jennifer . Witham. 15 July 2008. dead. 25 July 2008.
  9. Web site: Celebrating the Anzac Day clash . April 2004 . . 2008-04-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090428045611/http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=3428 . 28 April 2009 .
  10. Web site: Collingwood and Essendon leave lasting Anzac Day legacy . 18 April 2019 . 2019-08-15 .
  11. News: In the name of the son . Steve . Strevens . 1 September 2002 . The Sunday Age.
  12. http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/season2009/news/newsarticle/tabid/4112/newsid/80243/default.aspx Round 15 Celebrations
  13. News: The Age. Melbourne. Marn Grook, a native game on Sydney's biggest stage. Richard Hinds. 24 May 2002. 23 May 2015.
  14. Web site: Hawks crush Blues. 23 August 2003. Ben Hays. 23 May 2015. ABC.
  15. News: McCartney medal award. Karen. Lyon. 3 July 2003.
  16. Web site: Origin Energy adds power to battle of the West this Sunday. 4 June 2004. 15 May 2015.
  17. https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/2016-02-06/badcoe-victoria-cross-on-display-in-canberra Peter Badcoe VC Medal
  18. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/02/1056825457172.html Saints and Tigers to honour Stewart
  19. News: Dons, Tigers join in 'dream' game. Caroline. Wilson. Stephen. Rielly. 3 March 2006. The Age.
  20. Web site: Dreamtime at the 'G. 15 May 2015. 18 May 2012. Sportingpulse.
  21. Web site: Beyondblue. Good Company. 14 May 2015.
  22. No official awards as this is a charity focused match.
  23. Web site: Essendon FC Charity Partners. Essendon FC. 14 August 2019.
  24. Web site: Bombers prepare for 'Clash for Cancer'. Essendon Football Club. Melbourne. 14 June 2006. 12 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20070816110441/http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=4749. 16 August 2007. dead.
  25. Web site: Bombers shocked by AFL sanction. Essendon Football Club. Melbourne. 19 June 2006. 12 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20070816082621/http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=4754. 16 August 2007. dead.
  26. Web site: Yellow armband to be incorporated into Essendon guernsey. Essendon Football Club. Melbourne. 31 May 2007. 12 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20070918090038/https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5171. 18 September 2007. dead.
  27. News: Connolly. Rohan. What happened to the Hird–Archer Medal?. 24 March 2014. The Age. 24 March 2014.
  28. Web site: Richard Pratt Cup puts cancer in focus. 21 July 2009. 11 July 2011. Herald Sun.
  29. http://www.contestedfooty.com/2010/03/collingwood-and-westpac-announce-new-5-year-partnership Collingwood and Westpac announce new 5 year partnership
  30. Web site: Westpac Community Cup. Collingwood Football Club Foundation. Telstra Media. 30 June 2014. 24 May 2012.
  31. Book: 284. The Search for HMAS Sydney: an Australian story. 2014. New South Publishing. Sydney, NSW. Ted Graham. Bob King. Bob Trotter. Kim Kirsner. 9781742234205.
  32. http://www.lions.com.au/tabid/5085/default.aspx?newsid=112838 QClash 1: Marcus Ashcroft Medal announced
  33. http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/tabid/7106/default.aspx?newsid=128541 Brett Kirk Medal to be awarded in Derby
  34. Web site: Prime time for Giants and Bulldogs. Herald Sun. Neil. Cordy. 23 April 2012. 15 April 2015.
  35. Web site: Special trophy for historic clash. 25 April 2013. 15 May 2015. St Kilda Football Club. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093800/http://www.saints.com.au/news/2013-04-25/special-trophy-for-historic-clash. 24 September 2015. dead.
  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. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-24/first-bounce-for-women First bounce for women's footy at the MCG