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Verdun Howell's 1959 Brownlow Medal: 9ct gold and enamel medal,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
29-Jun-2009
Lot No.
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Description:
Verdun Howell's 1959 Brownlow Medal: 9ct gold and enamel medal, with on front 'VFL/ Chas. Brownlow trophy', and engraved on reverse 'Victorian football League, Chas. Brownlow trophy, Season 1959, Won by V. Howell'. Verdun Howell was transformed by St Kilda into a prototype of the modern attacking full back. He played 159 games for the Saints between 1958 and 1968 and was second on a count back for the Brownlow in only his second season. Thirty years later the VFL saw fit to award him this medal retrospectively, adding his name to that of Bob Skilton as joint-winners of the 1959 award. Despite his venturesome spirit which manifested itself in a tendency to leave his man in order to embark on dashing runs upfield, Howell seldom conceded many goals for the simple reason that whenever he pursued the ball he normally got it. In short, he transformed the backing of one's judgement into an Art form. As Howell's VFL career progressed he made a gradual journey back to the forward lines. He was on a half back flank when St Kilda won its only Premiership, in 1966 and as vice Captain, combined with skipper Darrel Baldock to provide the Saints with a unique, all Tasmanian on field leadership team. As his career drew to a close Howell frequently played on the forward lines and was highly effective; in one game against Hawthorn he booted 9 goals. However, it was as a defender that he rose to his greatest heights, winning St Kilda's best and fairest award in 1959, representing the Big v on 9 occasions, and to all intents and purposes, re-writing the chapter in the manual of footy entitled 'How to Play full back' (from 'Tasmania Team of the century'.) later Verdun Howell was assistant coach to Tom Hafey at Richmond, winning one Grand Final with the Reserves. He coached of Claremont, in Western Australia for 3 years. Brownlow Medals, the most significant individual medals in Australian Sport, are rarely seen at public auction; in fact, only two others have changed hands publicly; a third having been sold by a process of public tender: Len Thomson's 1972 Brownlow Medal sold for $72,000 + commission Fred Goldsmith's 1955 Brownlow Medal sold for $43,700 including commission Edward 'Carji' Greeves 1924 Brownlow Medal (the first awarded) sold last year for more than $300,000 in a private transaction
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Memorabilia: Sporting - AFL/VFL