by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
In 1989, the AFL saw fit to award retrospective Brownlow Medals, to players who were eligible. The medals were given to those who had tied with the eventual winners but lost under the old countback system (whereby a tie was broken by tallying how many 3-votes, 2-votes, and 1-vote players accumulated).
Last week, the West Australian Football Commission decided to do the same for WA legend Barry Cable. Cable was given a retrospective Simpson Medal for his best on ground performance in the inaugural State of Origin game in 1977. It takes Cable's tally to five Simpson Medals, making him the most decorated player in state games, surpassing the great Polly Farmer, who won four medals.
The Simpson Medal was inaugurated in 1945 by Dr F. W. (Fred) Simpson, a distinguished distance runner in interschool sports in the 1920s. The first award was made for the 1945 WAFL Grand Final and has since been awarded to the fairest and best players in WAFL grand finals, interstate games and at Australian Championships.
West Australian Football Commission chairman Dr. Neale Fong said that Barry Cable was one of WA football’s true legends and it was only fitting that he received a Simpson Medal for that game in 1977. It is even more fitting that the medal be presented during this year's Heritage Round, which was paying tribute to the 1970s. WA historians researched the game to determine that Cable was best on ground in that game which saw the West Australian team defeat Victoria 23.13 (151) to 8.9 (57). Cable also played for North Melbourne in two stints, 1970 and 1974-77. Cable was also coach of the Kangaroos 1981-84.
Cable, who also won three Sandover Medals (WA equivalent of the Brownlow Medal) and a Tassie Medal, said he was very surprised when he got the phone call to tell him about his retrospective medal and said it was nice to be recognized for that effort 30 years ago.
Other famous names in that game were Stan Magro (Collingwood 1977-82), Garry Sidebottom (St. Kilda, Geelong, Fitzroy 1978-84), Graham Moss (Essendon (1973-76), Neil Balme (1969-79), and Ross Glendinning (North Melbourne and West Coast 1978-88)
Familiar names for the defeated Victorians included Trevor Barker (St; Kilda 1975-89, Gary Dempsey (Footscray and North Melbourne 1967-84), Bruce Doull (Carlton 1969-86), Peter Knights 1969-85), Francis Bourke (Richmond 1967-81), Robbie Flower (Melbourne 1973-87), Wayne Schimmelbusch (North Melbourne 1973-87), Michael Tuck (Hawthorn 1972-91), Kevin Bartlett (Richmond 1965-83), and Kevin Sheedy 1967-79).
Barry Cable Simpson Medals:
1966-68: playing for Perth in a winning grand final against East Perth
1969: playing for Western Australia in the AFC Championship
1977: retrospective medal for 1977 State or Origin game WA vs. Victoria
Cable is not the only well-known player to win multiple medals. Others whose names might sound familiar are:
Graham "Polly" Farmer (Geelong 1962-67)
1956: playing for WA vs. SA
1958: playing for WA vs. Victoria
1959: playing for East Perth in WAFL grand final win over Subiaco
1969: playing for WA in the AFC Championship
Maurice Rioli (Richmond 1982-87, uncle to retired Essendon player Dean Rioli):
1980: playing for South Fremantle in WAFL grand final win over Swan Districts
1981: playing for South Fremantle in WAFL grand final loss to Claremont (co-winner)
Brad Hardie ((Footscray, Brisbane, Collingwood 1985-92)
1984: playing for WA vs. Victoria in State of Origin
1986: playing for WA vs. Victoria (State of Origin)
Ben Allan (Hawthorn and Fremantle (1990-97):
1988: playing for WA vs. SA in State or Origin
1989: playing for Claremont in WAFL grand final win over South Fremantle
1990: playing for WA vs. SA in State of Origin
Dale Kickett (Fitzroy, WCE, St. Kilda, Essendon, & Fremantle 1990-2002):
1991: playing for Claremont in WAFL grand final win vs. Subiaco
1993: playing for Claremont in WAFL grand final win vs. West Perth
Ryan Turnbull (WCE 1991-2001):
2001: playing for East Perth in WAFL grand final win vs. South Fremantle
2002: playing for East Perth in WAFL grand final win vs. West Perth
Source: author notes, Encyclopedia of League Footballers, & Grant Dorrington, WA West Australian Football Commission
In 1989, the AFL saw fit to award retrospective Brownlow Medals, to players who were eligible. The medals were given to those who had tied with the eventual winners but lost under the old countback system (whereby a tie was broken by tallying how many 3-votes, 2-votes, and 1-vote players accumulated).
Last week, the West Australian Football Commission decided to do the same for WA legend Barry Cable. Cable was given a retrospective Simpson Medal for his best on ground performance in the inaugural State of Origin game in 1977. It takes Cable's tally to five Simpson Medals, making him the most decorated player in state games, surpassing the great Polly Farmer, who won four medals.
The Simpson Medal was inaugurated in 1945 by Dr F. W. (Fred) Simpson, a distinguished distance runner in interschool sports in the 1920s. The first award was made for the 1945 WAFL Grand Final and has since been awarded to the fairest and best players in WAFL grand finals, interstate games and at Australian Championships.
West Australian Football Commission chairman Dr. Neale Fong said that Barry Cable was one of WA football’s true legends and it was only fitting that he received a Simpson Medal for that game in 1977. It is even more fitting that the medal be presented during this year's Heritage Round, which was paying tribute to the 1970s. WA historians researched the game to determine that Cable was best on ground in that game which saw the West Australian team defeat Victoria 23.13 (151) to 8.9 (57). Cable also played for North Melbourne in two stints, 1970 and 1974-77. Cable was also coach of the Kangaroos 1981-84.
Cable, who also won three Sandover Medals (WA equivalent of the Brownlow Medal) and a Tassie Medal, said he was very surprised when he got the phone call to tell him about his retrospective medal and said it was nice to be recognized for that effort 30 years ago.
Other famous names in that game were Stan Magro (Collingwood 1977-82), Garry Sidebottom (St. Kilda, Geelong, Fitzroy 1978-84), Graham Moss (Essendon (1973-76), Neil Balme (1969-79), and Ross Glendinning (North Melbourne and West Coast 1978-88)
Familiar names for the defeated Victorians included Trevor Barker (St; Kilda 1975-89, Gary Dempsey (Footscray and North Melbourne 1967-84), Bruce Doull (Carlton 1969-86), Peter Knights 1969-85), Francis Bourke (Richmond 1967-81), Robbie Flower (Melbourne 1973-87), Wayne Schimmelbusch (North Melbourne 1973-87), Michael Tuck (Hawthorn 1972-91), Kevin Bartlett (Richmond 1965-83), and Kevin Sheedy 1967-79).
Barry Cable Simpson Medals:
1966-68: playing for Perth in a winning grand final against East Perth
1969: playing for Western Australia in the AFC Championship
1977: retrospective medal for 1977 State or Origin game WA vs. Victoria
Cable is not the only well-known player to win multiple medals. Others whose names might sound familiar are:
Graham "Polly" Farmer (Geelong 1962-67)
1956: playing for WA vs. SA
1958: playing for WA vs. Victoria
1959: playing for East Perth in WAFL grand final win over Subiaco
1969: playing for WA in the AFC Championship
Maurice Rioli (Richmond 1982-87, uncle to retired Essendon player Dean Rioli):
1980: playing for South Fremantle in WAFL grand final win over Swan Districts
1981: playing for South Fremantle in WAFL grand final loss to Claremont (co-winner)
Brad Hardie ((Footscray, Brisbane, Collingwood 1985-92)
1984: playing for WA vs. Victoria in State of Origin
1986: playing for WA vs. Victoria (State of Origin)
Ben Allan (Hawthorn and Fremantle (1990-97):
1988: playing for WA vs. SA in State or Origin
1989: playing for Claremont in WAFL grand final win over South Fremantle
1990: playing for WA vs. SA in State of Origin
Dale Kickett (Fitzroy, WCE, St. Kilda, Essendon, & Fremantle 1990-2002):
1991: playing for Claremont in WAFL grand final win vs. Subiaco
1993: playing for Claremont in WAFL grand final win vs. West Perth
Ryan Turnbull (WCE 1991-2001):
2001: playing for East Perth in WAFL grand final win vs. South Fremantle
2002: playing for East Perth in WAFL grand final win vs. West Perth
Source: author notes, Encyclopedia of League Footballers, & Grant Dorrington, WA West Australian Football Commission
Article last changed on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 1:56 PM EDT
