Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy
Awarded forThe best and fairest player at the Melbourne Football Club
LocationCrown Palladium
CountryAustralia
Presented byMelbourne Football Club
History
First award1935
First winnerAllan La Fontaine
Most winsAllan La Fontaine
Jim Stynes
Clayton Oliver (4 times)
Most recentJack Viney (2024)

The Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy is an Australian rules football award presented annually to the player(s) adjudged the best and fairest at the Melbourne Football Club throughout the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League (VFL/AFL) season. The Melbourne Football Club was established in 1858[1][2] and was a foundation member of the Victorian Football Association, playing in the league from 1877 to 1896.[3] After the formation of the Victorian Football League in 1896, Melbourne joined the league as a foundation club the next year and has competed in the league ever since.[4] The inaugural Melbourne best and fairest winner was Allan La Fontaine in 1935, and he retained it the following season.[5][6] The award was known as the Melbourne best and fairest[5] until it was renamed in 1943 in honour of Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, a former dual premiership player and World War II fighter ace killed in service in 1943.[7]

Allan La Fontaine, Jim Stynes and Clayton Oliver have each won the award on four occasions in 1935, 1936, 1941 and 1942; 1991, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022 respectively; the most for any recipient of the award.[8] Jim Stynes and Nathan Jones are the only two players to have won the award in three consecutive seasons; in the 1995–1997 seasons and 2012–2014 seasons respectively.[9] Two players have won the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in the same season as winning the Brownlow Medal, which is awarded to the fairest and best player in the VFL/AFL, Jim Stynes in 1991 and Shane Woewodin in 2000.[10][11] The voting system as of the 2016 AFL season, consists of four members of the match committee giving each player a ranking out of ten after each game. Players can receive a maximum of 40 votes for a game.[12]

Recipients

[edit]
A man with dark hair in a suit and tie sits with his hands on his knees
Allan La Fontaine, the winner of four best and fairests
A man with light brown hair wearing a red and blue guernsey
Norm Smith, two-time Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy winner and Melbourne and Australian Football Hall of Fame legend
A man with brown hair in a white shirt
Jim Stynes, the winner of four Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophies, including three consecutive from 1995–1997
A bald, tattooed man holding a yellow football on a grassed field
Nathan Jones, the winner of three Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophies in consecutive seasons from 2012–2014
A man with brown hair holding a yellow football on a grassed field
Jack Viney, the 2016 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott winner
^ Denotes current player
+ Player won Brownlow Medal in same season
Season Recipient Votes[b] Runner up[a] Votes[b] Ref
1935 Allan La Fontaine [5]
1936 Allan La Fontaine (2) [6]
1937 Jack Mueller [13]
1938 Norm Smith Don Cordner [14]
1939 Jack Mueller (2) [13]
1940 Ron Baggott [15]
1941 Allan La Fontaine (3) [6]
1942 Allan La Fontaine (4) [6]
1943 Don Cordner [7]
1944 Norm Smith (2) Don Cordner [14]
1945 Fred Fanning Roy Dowsing [16]
1946 Jack Mueller (3) [17]
1947 Wally Lock [18]
1948 Alby Rodda [19]
1949 Len Dockett Denis Cordner [20]
1950 Denis Cordner Lance Arnold [21]
1951 Noel McMahen Lance Arnold [22]
1952 Geoff McGivern Denis Cordner [23]
1953 Ken Melville Denis Cordner [22]
1954 Denis Cordner (2) Noel McMahen [22]
1955 Stuart Spencer 69 Denis Cordner 68 [24]
1956 Stuart Spencer (2) 87.5 John Beckwith 87 [25]
1957 John Beckwith Ron Barassi [26]
1958 Laurie Mithen Don Williams [27]
1959 Laurie Mithen (2) Ron Barassi [27]
1960 Brian Dixon Ian Ridley [28]
1961 Ron Barassi Frank Adams [29]
1962 Hassa Mann Ron Barassi [30]
1963 Hassa Mann (2) Ron Barassi [30]
1964 Ron Barassi (2) Hassa Mann [29]
1965 John Townsend Hassa Mann [31]
1966 Terry Leahy Tassie Johnson [32]
1967 Hassa Mann (3) Stan Alves [30]
1968 Ray Groom Tassie Johnson [27]
1969 John Townsend (2) Greg Parke [31]
1970 Frank Davis Barry Bourke [33]
1971 Greg Wells Paul Callery [34]
1972 Stan Alves Greg Wells [35]
1973 Carl Ditterich Greg Wells [36]
1974 Stan Alves (2) Carl Ditterich [35]
1975 Laurie Fowler Stan Alves [37]
1976 Greg Wells (2) 132 Laurie Fowler 121 [34]
1977 Robert Flower 104 Shane Grambeau 92 [38]
1978 Garry Baker 126 Greg Wells 96 [39]
1979 Laurie Fowler (2) 118 Robert Flower 105 [37]
1980 Laurie Fowler (3) 43 Robert Flower 41 [37]
1981 Steven Smith 367 Brent Crosswell 250 [40]
1982 Steven Icke 388 Robert Flower 324 [41]
1983 Alan Johnson 402 Robert Flower 361 [42]
1984 Gerard Healy 362 Peter Moore+ 306 [43]
1985 Danny Hughes 279 Gerard Healy 273 [44]
1986 Greg Healy 237 Garry Lyon 172 [45]
1987 Steven Stretch 342 Brian Wilson 320 [46]
1988 Steven O'Dwyer 487 Brett Lovett 427 [47]
1989 Alan Johnson (2) 278 Steven Stretch 207 [42]
1990 Garry Lyon 301 Brett Lovett 271 [48]
1991 Jim Stynes+ 650 Todd Viney 449 [49]
1992 Glenn Lovett 463 Andy Lovell 320 [50]
1993 Todd Viney 394 Glenn Lovett 279 [51]
1994 Garry Lyon (2) 355 Stephen Tingay 319 [48]
1995 Jim Stynes (2) 311 David Neitz 272 [49]
1996 Jim Stynes (3) 444 Alastair Clarkson 284 [49]
1997 Jim Stynes (4) 404 Todd Viney 355 [49]
1998 Todd Viney (2) 347 Adem Yze 323 [52]
1999 David Schwarz 271 Shane Woewodin 270 [53]
2000 Shane Woewodin+ 341.5 Jeff White 328 [54]
2001 Adem Yze 331 David Neitz 228 [55]
2002 David Neitz 336 Cameron Bruce 295 [56]
2003 Russell Robertson 267 James McDonald 240 [57]
2004 Jeff White 287 Nathan Brown 286 [58]
2005 Travis Johnstone 316 Russell Robertson 262 [59]
2006 James McDonald 464 Cameron Bruce 317 [60]
2007 James McDonald (2) 256 Nathan Jones 190 [61]
2008 Cameron Bruce 75 Brock McLean 60 [62]
2009 Aaron Davey 82 Brent Moloney 69 [63]
2010 Brad Green 295 James Frawley 277 [64]
2011 Brent Moloney 227 Jared Rivers 201 [65]
2012 Nathan Jones 368 Jack Grimes 348 [66]
2013 Nathan Jones (2) 365 Colin Garland 360 [67]
2014 Nathan Jones (3) 311 Dom Tyson 293 [68]
2015 Bernie Vince 328 Jack Viney^ 327 [69]
2016 Jack Viney^ 407 Nathan Jones 399 [70]
2017 Clayton Oliver^ 530 Jack Viney^ 346 [71]
2018 Max Gawn^ 657 Clayton Oliver^ 595 [72]
2019 Max Gawn^ (2) 464 Jack Viney^ 323 [73]
Clayton Oliver^ (2)
2020 Christian Petracca^ 385 Steven May^ 362 [74]
2021 Clayton Oliver^ (3) 670 Christian Petracca^ 644 [75]
2022 Clayton Oliver^ (4) 608 Christian Petracca^ 553 [76]
2023 Christian Petracca (2) 607 Jack Viney^ 527 [77]
2024 Jack Viney^ (2) 407 Max Gawn^ 405 [78]

Multiple winners

[edit]
^ Denotes current player
Player Trophies Seasons
Allan La Fontaine 4 1935, 1936, 1941, 1942
Jim Stynes 4 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997
Clayton Oliver^ 4 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022
Laurie Fowler 3 1975, 1979, 1980
Nathan Jones 3 2012, 2013, 2014
Hassa Mann 3 1962, 1963, 1967
Jack Mueller 3 1937, 1939, 1946
Stan Alves 2 1972, 1974
Ron Barassi 2 1961, 1964
Denis Cordner 2 1950, 1954
Max Gawn^ 2 2018, 2019
Alan Johnson 2 1983, 1989
Garry Lyon 2 1990, 1994
James McDonald 2 2006, 2007
Laurie Mithen 2 1958, 1959
Christian Petracca^ 2 2020, 2023
Norm Smith 2 1938, 1944
Stuart Spencer 2 1955, 1956
John Townsend 2 1965, 1969
Jack Viney^ 2 2016, 2024
Todd Viney 2 1993, 1998
Greg Wells 2 1971, 1976

Footnotes

[edit]
  • a Records indicating the runners up are unavailable from 1935–1937, 1939–1943 and 1946–1948.
  • b Records indicating the votes the winner and runner up received are unavailable from 1935–1954 and 1957–1975.

References

[edit]
General
  • "Best and Fairest Awards". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
Specific
  1. ^ "Winter Practice". Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle. Vol. 3, no. 80. Victoria, Australia. 10 July 1858. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ Taylor, E. C. H. (1957). 100 Years of Football, The Story of the Melbourne Football Club. Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne Football Club.
  3. ^ "The Victorian Football Association". North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser. No. 72. North Melbourne, VIC. 19 March 1897. p. 3.
  4. ^ "History of Australian Football". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Football Awards–Melbourne Best". The Argus. Melbourne. 30 October 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d Burgan, Matt (5 September 2013). "Jones goes back-to-back in B&F". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b Baum, Greg (14 May 2009). "Cordner's life of unflagging service". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  8. ^ Burgan, Matt (21 February 2014). "Stynes' legacy honoured with MCG statue". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  9. ^ Guthrie, Ben (4 September 2014). "Jones edges out young recruit in Dees' best and fairest". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Jim Stynes won the Brownlow Medal in 1991 but also captured the hearts of Australia with his amazing work with underprivileged and troubled youths". ABC Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  11. ^ Allen, Steve (29 September 2015). "Brownlow Medal 2015: remember when Shane Woewodin shocked the footy world?". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Who is leading the best-and-fairest count at your club?". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  13. ^ a b "One of the Greats". The Age. Fairfax Media. 1 September 1966. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Norm Smith". Melbourne Cricket Ground. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Vale Ron Baggott". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Fred Fanning". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Trophy for Mueller". Riverine Herald. Shire of Campaspe; Murray Shire. 22 November 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Hall of Fame–Wally Lock". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  19. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Bas Publishing. p. 762. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
  20. ^ "Len Dockett dies, 87". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  21. ^ Hibbins, Gillian M. (2007). "Cordner, George Denis Pruen (1924–1990)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra, ACT: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  22. ^ a b c "Cordner Wins Melbourne Club Award". The Age. Fairfax Media. 30 September 1954. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  23. ^ "Geoff McGivern". AustralianFootball.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  24. ^ "Stuart Spencer Demons' Best". The Age. Fairfax Media. 23 September 1955. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  25. ^ "Tributes for footy star". ABC Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 September 2011. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  26. ^ Sheahan, Mike (28 May 2010). "Melbourne deserve Hall lotta love". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  27. ^ a b c "Footy's greatest number: What is the best jumper number at Melbourne?". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  28. ^ Flanagan, Martin (22 August 2014). "Brian Dixon's mission to take Australian rules to the world". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  29. ^ a b McFarlane, Glenn (14 February 2015). "Looking back at the biggest transfer in footy history: Ron Barassi's move to Carlton". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  30. ^ a b c Carroll, Lynda (7 July 2010). "Where are they now? Hassa Mann". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  31. ^ a b "John Townsend". AustralianFootball.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  32. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Bas Publishing. p. 506. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
  33. ^ "Frank Davis". AustralianFootball.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  34. ^ a b McFarlane, Glenn (6 April 2013). "Former Melbourne great Greg Wells urges Melbourne players to play with mongrel". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  35. ^ a b "Stan Alves OAM". Australia Day–Vic. Department of Premier and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  36. ^ Holemsby, Russell (5 January 2015). "Russell Holmesby's top 25: 10-6". Saints.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  37. ^ a b c "Laurie Fowler". Oakleigh District Football Club. Fox Sports Pulse. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  38. ^ Connolly, Rohan (2 October 2014). "Melbourne legend Robert Flower dies". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  39. ^ Hanlon, Peter (3 April 2013). "Duck off - beards bite back". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  40. ^ Phelan, Jennifer (5 March 2015). "Ex-Demon named as MCC president". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  41. ^ Sheahan, Mike (29 September 2010). "Football manager Steven Icke manager departs Blues". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  42. ^ a b "Hall of Fame–Alan Johnson". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. 22 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  43. ^ "Gerard Healy". AustralianFootball.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  44. ^ "Danny Hughes". AustralianFootball.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  45. ^ Carroll, Lynda (1 February 2012). "Former captain Greg Healy joins board". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  46. ^ "Steven Stretch". AustralianFootball.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  47. ^ Carroll, Lynda (21 June 2013). "Friday Flashbacks: Our Redheads". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  48. ^ a b Royall, Ian (13 February 2016). "Garry Lyon: From Melbourne Football Club star to high-profile media performer". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  49. ^ a b c d Burgan, Matt (20 March 2014). "The life and times of Jim Stynes". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  50. ^ Wright, Connor (31 May 2013). "Profile:Glenn Lovett". Sports Business Insider. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  51. ^ "Todd Viney: a snapshot". AFLCA. Fox Sports Pulse. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  52. ^ Denham, Greg (2 August 2011). "Todd Viney jumps queue as hunt begins for coach". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  53. ^ Hogan, Jesse (13 September 2014). "Before knee woes, Melbourne's David Schwarz was destined for greatness". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  54. ^ Australian Associated Press (6 August 2011). "Garry Lyon must recruit the best coach: Shane Woewodin". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  55. ^ Pierik, Jon (26 August 2008). "Jeff White, Adem Yze want to play on". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  56. ^ "How the best was won". The Age. Fairfax Media. 7 October 2002. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  57. ^ Grant, Robert (20 August 2009). "Russell Robertson to quit Melbourne Demons but wants to play on in 2010". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  58. ^ Carroll, Lynda (21 July 2010). "Where are they now?: Jeff White". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  59. ^ Oats, Dan; Quayle, Emma (27 September 2005). "Neitz set to sign a two-year deal". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  60. ^ Boulton, Martin (3 October 2006). "McDonald voted best of Demons". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  61. ^ Sharp, Ari; Stafford, Andrew; Lyon, Karen (7 October 2007). "Last game clinches Hawks' prize for Sewell". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  62. ^ Boulton, Martin (3 October 2008). "Bruce wins Truscott trophy". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  63. ^ Burgan, Matt (21 October 2009). "Davey wins his first Truscott Trophy". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  64. ^ Holmesby, Luke (3 September 2010). "Green wins his first Melbourne best and fairest". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  65. ^ Hogan, Jesse (24 September 2011). "Moloney best of Demons". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  66. ^ Anderson, Jon (14 September 2012). "Melbourne midfielder Nathan Jones wins Demons best and fairest". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  67. ^ Guthrie, Ben (5 September 2013). "Jones claims second best and fairest". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  68. ^ Ralph, Jon (4 September 2014). "Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones wins third best and fairest award, Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince follow". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  69. ^ Pierik, Jon (12 September 2015). "Bernie Vince into history as Dees' best". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  70. ^ McFarlane, Glenn (6 September 2016). "Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney has won the Demons' best and fairest award". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  71. ^ Cherney, Daniel (9 October 2017). "Clayton Oliver has crushing win at Melbourne best and fairest, Jack Watts misses top 20". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  72. ^ Burgan, Matt (1 October 2018). "Gawn wins his first 'Bluey'". MelbourneFC.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  73. ^ Gibson, Ben (30 September 2019). "Gawn, Oliver become dual 'Bluey' winners". MelbourneFC.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  74. ^ Gibson, Ben (23 September 2020). "2020 Best and Fairest: All the winners". Melbourne F.C. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  75. ^ Gibson, Ben (17 December 2021). "Clarry claims third 'Bluey' to keep streak alive". Melbourne F.C. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  76. ^ Gibson, Ben (30 September 2022). "2022 Best and Fairest | All the winners". Melbourne F.C. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  77. ^ "Petracca claims second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy". Melbourne F.C. 6 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  78. ^ "Viney claims second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy". 4 October 2024.
[edit]