{"id":901827,"date":"2026-09-22T23:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T23:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/901827\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T23:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T23:12:38","slug":"almanac-footy-sydney-footballs-night-of-nights-celebrating-100-years-of-sydney-australian-rules-footballs-highest-honour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/901827\/","title":{"rendered":"Almanac Footy: Sydney Football\u2019s Night of Nights \u2013 Celebrating 100 years of Sydney Australian Rules Football\u2019s highest honour"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The front cover of the book published by the NSW Australian Football Heritage Association to celebrate the Centenary of the Phelan Medal.<\/p>\n

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At the start of 2026 I was a newcomer to Sydney football. I\u2019d been to one game \u2013 up the road from Rushcutters Bay at Trumper Park \u2013 fifty years ago. I\u2019d heard of the Phelan Medal but did not put it in the same conversation as the Brownlow or the Magarey, the Sandover or the even the Morris.<\/p>\n

How that would change this season.<\/p>\n

Since joining the \u201cold football history buffs\u201d at the NSW Australian Football Heritage Association, my acquaintance with the game in Sydney has grown.<\/p>\n

A team of writers and editors from the committee and membership of the association was put together to help celebrate the Centenary of the Phelan Medal in our annual journal, Time On.<\/p>\n

Our project complemented AFL Sydney\u2019s recognition of 100 years of Australian Rules football\u2019s highest individual award. The culmination of the celebrations would be two significant events; Phelan -Mostyn Medal Night on 14 September and the publication of a 72 page book revealing the history of the Phelan Medal and showcasing all of its winners.<\/p>\n

We discovered 84 winners of the Sydney football\u2019s best and fairest award stretching back to 1926. Following on from Bobby Powers\u2019 win that year, two players have won the award on four occasions \u2013 Jack Williamson (in the 1930s) and Rod Podbury (1983, 1986, 1987, 1990).<\/p>\n

The medallists, we discovered, came to Sydney football from almost wherever it is played across the continent. Some are homegrown, especially in recent decades; a handful are well known on the national football level; whilst many started their football careers in far flung country leagues.<\/p>\n

With women\u2019s football now sharply in focus and equally celebrated, the evening brought together club representatives from the various tiers of the men\u2019s and women\u2019s Sydney football competitions. Special guests included AFL CEO Andrew Dillon. Governor General Sam Mostyn AC, after whom the Mostyn Medal is named, was unable to attend. Randwick Racecourse\u2019s Winx Stand was the venue for the medal presentations witnessed by over 700 attendees.<\/p>\n

My role in the publication was as one its four editors. After six months of research work, obtaining photographs, writing and editing, I felt a personal connection to all of the Phelan Medallists, yet had not met any of them, apart from phone conversations with a few.<\/p>\n

I wanted to meet as many as I could on the night, shake their hands, listen and learn some more. And to my great pleasure, that is what unfolded. I looked forward to meeting the oldest living Phelan Medallist, Tony Whish-Wilson, who won the award 66 years ago. I wanted to chat with players who we had gone to great lengths to trace. And I looked forward to toasting the 2026 winners.<\/p>\n

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Immediately after entering the red carpet event I started scanning the room. Many familiar faces caught my eye; the test being to put a name to each of them. Matching the photos of medallists I had poured over for many hours while drafting the publication with faces in the room was quite a challenge. Some came quickly to mind, others I guessed, while many remained tantalisingly unmatched.<\/p>\n

Enter Troy Luff \u2013 dual Phelan Medal winner, Sydney Swans grand finalist, 650+ game player, and still counting; a down-to-earth bloke.\u00a0 Chatting with him was a relaxing way to start the evening. Let me add a bit about Luffy taken from his profile in The Centenary of the Phelan Medal publication.<\/p>\n

Troy Luff\u2019s time in Sydney football is remarkable. There simply has not been a Sydney Swans player who after their AFL career has given back to the local Sydney football as a player as much as Troy Luff. There have been contributions of note such as Rod Carter coaching Sydney University to premiership success and Craig O\u2019Brien playing for St George as two examples, but Luff\u2019s longevity of input is remarkable.<\/p>\n

In his first year after leaving the Swans, in 2002, he played for Balmain and won the Phelan Medal tallying 20 votes. In 2006, with University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs, he won his second Phelan Medal recording 21 votes. He garnered most media attention for his time in Sydney football by breaking through for a premiership victory on his 11th attempt. The Daily Telegraph led with the article heading of \u201cFlag Drought Over: 11th Time Lucky for Luff\u201d after he represented the University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs team in 2019 and won the Division 2 title. The previous ten attempts had resulted in grand final losses. With over 600 games of senior football spanning 24 seasons, the final words are left to Luff, \u201cIt\u2019s a game I just love playing\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Whish-Wilson party arrived next. They were feted, and deservedly so. Tony was a RAAF serviceman who played a season with Bankstown in 1960. Accompanying Tony was his eldest son David \u2013 an award winning Australian novelist; his youngest son Peter \u2013 a recent Senator for Tasmania (2012-26); and Tony\u2019s daughter Kerri. When the seating plan was revealed, I was thrilled to share table 13 with the Whish-Wilson family.<\/p>\n

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The oldest living Phelan Medallist, 89 year old Tony Whish-Wilson \u2013 the 1960 winner \u2013 (second from the right) was accompanied by his sons Peter (far left) and David (far right) and his daughter Kerri. \u2018Rocket\u2019 Rod Gillett signalled the significance of their attendance.<\/p>\n

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Let me share an extract from Tony Whish-Wilson\u2019s profile in our publication:<\/p>\n

Tony Whish-Wilson had an outstanding season of football with Bankstown in 1960. Not only did he win the Phelan Medal, but he played three games for NSW at the ANFC Division 2 championships in Sydney and won the club\u2019s best and fairest award. Originally from Tasmania, Whish-Wilson joined the RAAF in 1954 and saw active service in Malaya in 1957-58. Tony first played senior football for RAAF in the Wagga and District League in 1954 as a 16-year-old trainee. He then mostly played inter-service football for RAAF at various postings and following that half a season with Launceston in the NTFA when based there in 1958. A temporary stay at Bankstown Airport in 1960 saw him play for a season with Bankstown. Following a transfer to the Flying Training School at Pearce in WA he played for West Perth in 1961-62 and then University of Western Australia in 1963-64 where he was selected in the All Australian Inter-varsity team in 1964.<\/p>\n

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I was seated between Peter Whish-Wilson and our photo editor Peter Vasic. After initial greetings, I looked at the chap to Peter\u2019s right. A very familiar face. Let me introduce him Peter offered.<\/p>\n

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1985 winner Frank Gleeson brought his Phelan Medal along and almost lost it!<\/p>\n

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This is a taste of what our publication says about Frank\u2019s 1985 season:<\/p>\n

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In his first year playing for Balmain, Frank Gleeson won the Phelan Medal by nine votes, took out the Football Record Player of the Year award, his club\u2019s best and fairest award, as well as being runner up in the club\u2019s goalkicking with 58 goals.<\/p>\n

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Looking over my shoulder I spied the name tag of a fellow I wanted to meet. 1978 Phelan Medal winner Jack McCormick had been one of the medallists we struggled to find a photo for and obtain details of his post-Sydney football journey. Facebook helped me locate him. The hint was his hometown of Wakool, NSW. Let\u2019s have a look at his profile:<\/p>\n

Jack McCormick won the Phelan Medal in 1978 polling 26 votes. Southern Districts, now known as South West Sydney, was based in the Liverpool area and McCormick, from Wakool, served in the army at Holsworthy. He played as a rover and in the forward line. In 1978, his second season at Southern Districts, he kicked 50 goals. McCormick starred in the club\u2019s upset round 19 win over 1977 premiers Western Suburbs. In 1979 he moved to Canberra and was a star player with Ainslie under St Kilda legend Kevin \u201dCowboy\u201d Neale. Jack McCormick\u2019s football career continued in Darwin as both player and coach with St Mary\u2019s.<\/p>\n

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I had observed Jack deep in conversation with another medallist sitting at his table. Who could that be? After introducing myself to McCormick I shook hands with Noel Stewart, winner of the 1971 Phelan Medal. Noel had given us almost the greatest headache. No photo, no post-Sydney football insight; we had almost given up trying. But, believing persistence would pay off, Peter Vasic offered to contact a football history colleague from Bendigo to help trace Noel. We knew a \u2018Noel Stewart\u2019, a classy rover, had played with YCW in Bendigo\u2019s Goldfields Football League in the late 1970s. How? I read in a Melbourne paper that a Noel Stewart had been reported for striking an umpire and subsequently got off the charge. Could he be our Noel Stewart?<\/p>\n

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Within 24 hours of Peter Vasic\u2019s enquiry a response came back that he had located Noel\u2019s daughter. She was delighted to confirm that her dad had in fact won the Phelan Medal, and that she had the photo to prove it. So, \u2018Rocket\u2019 contacted Noel, now living on the Gold Coast, and started a conversation that I am sure has a long way to go. Of course, Noel said that he would love to attend the Centenary of the Phelan Medal night.<\/p>\n

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Noel Stewart, 1971 Phelan Medallist<\/p>\n

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I asked him, were you the player reported? Yes! Noel advised, but it wasn\u2019t a boundary umpire, it was a goal umpire. How so? Well, he grabbed me from behind, and I just reacted \u2026 and the rest is history.<\/p>\n

Both Noel and Jack were delighted to be invited to the function and were buzzing with excitement all night. They also showed their gratitude at having being rediscovered by the Sydney football fraternity.<\/p>\n

Also seated at their table was 1999 winner Trevor Burnett, from Barham NSW. A Riverina boy myself, I was starting to feel right at home.<\/p>\n

As the night of celebrations and awards kicked off we were entertained by a parade of former medallists on stage. Rod Gillett proposed the toast to all winners.<\/p>\n

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Winners of the Phelan Medal representing the past seven decades of the award. Tony Whish-Wilson is second from the right standing beside Rod Podbury who is on the end<\/p>\n

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When Rod Podbury responded to the toast on behalf of former medallists you could hear a pin drop. The eloquently-spoken four time winner of the award had the attention of everyone in the room.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s meet him in profile.<\/p>\n

Rod Podbury was a \u2018gun\u2019 in the Sydney Football League in the 1980s. He won four Phelan Medals (1983, 1986, 1987, 1990), making him only the second player in the history of Sydney football to achieve that feat. The other four-time Phelan Medallist was Jack Williamson in the 1930s. Podbury was runner-up once (1988) and third on two occasions. He was an elusive and very balanced mid-fielder with magical skills. <\/p>\n

Rod Podbury represented NSW on six occasions and was regularly among the state\u2019s best players. In the 1984 Escort Shield match against Tasmania he was \u201cin the thick of things all day with his ability to make space for himself.\u201d (Football Record, 26 May 1984) <\/p>\n

In recognition of his legendary impact on the Sydney football competition, the grand final best-on-ground trophy for the Premier Division is officially named the Rod Podbury Medal. Rod Podbury was inducted into the Sydney AFL Hall of Fame in 2003 and the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2024. He is a life member of the Campbelltown Football Club.<\/p>\n

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Later, \u2018Rocket\u2019 Rod Gillett was presented with an AFL NSW\/ACT Merit Award by Heritage Association president Ian Granland.<\/p>\n

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Rod Gillett with Ian Granland<\/p>\n

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There is usually time for some spontaneous fun at such an event.<\/p>\n

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David Whish-Wilson holding a caricature of his father, Tony, sketched on the night by artistic design editor Peter Vasic<\/p>\n

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The announcements of the 2026 Phelan and Mostyn Medal winners were the climax moments of the evening. Luke Parkinson from South West Sydney was the Phelan Medal winner while Lucy Yates from North Shore won the Mostyn Medal. Luke was presented with his award by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon.<\/p>\n

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Luke Parkinson, 2026 Phelan Medallist, is presented his award by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon<\/p>\n

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Members of the NSW Australian Football Heritage Association in attendance who worked on the publication: (l to r) Ian Granland (President), Peter Vasic (Artistic Design Editor), John Addison (Treasurer), Rod Gillett (Vice President and co-editor) and Peter Clark (coordinating editor)<\/p>\n

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Copies of the book, The Centenary of the Phelan Medal can be ordered from the associations\u2019 website:<\/p>\n

nswfootballhistory.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n

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All photos by the author<\/p>\n

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All extracts are from The Centenary of the Phelan Medal publication.<\/p>\n

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Read more from Peter Clark HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

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To return to the\u00a0www.footyalmanac.com.au<\/a>\u00a0home page click\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.<\/p>\n

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?<\/p>\n

And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please\u00a0consider making your own contribution.<\/p>\n

Become an Almanac (annual) member \u2013\u00a0CLICK\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

is a lifelong Geelong supporter. Hailing from the Riverina, he is now entrenched on the NSW South Coast. His passion for footy was ignited by attending Ovens and Murray League matches in the 1960\u2019s with his father. After years of watching, playing and coaching, now it is time for some serious writing about his favourite subjects\u2026 footy, especially country footy, and cricket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u00a0 The front cover of the book published by the NSW Australian Football Heritage Association to celebrate the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":901828,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,85],"class_list":["post-901827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/901827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=901827"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/901827\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/901828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=901827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=901827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=901827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}