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1979 Carlton Premiership Medal, front design of a footballer by…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
26-Sep-2013
Lot No.
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Description:
1979 Carlton Premiership Medal, front design of a footballer by Andor Meszaros (1900-72), reverse shows players names in their positions, surrounded by text 'Victorian Football League/Carlton: Premiers: 1979'. Together with perspex display stand engraved 'A. Jesaulenko (Capt)'. [Alex Jesaulenko is shown on the medal at Centre]. After the early season problems with coaching staff in 1978, the Carlton team seemed to really gel under the stewardship of Alex Jesaulenko after he took over as coach early in the season. In fact, Jesaulenko had won 14 of his 18 games in charge. This late season form certainly carried over into 1979, Jesaulenko's team winning its first 6 matches, before a narrow 4 point loss to North Melbourne in Round 7. Carlton would be the dominant team of the season, losing only two more games, to Geelong by 6 points in Round 12 and to Collingwood in Round 21 by 19 points. Measures of the Blues dominance that year include being on top of the ladder in 20 of 22 rounds, finishing 2 games in front of second place on the ladder, winning by at least 50 points eight times and having an average winning margin of over 40 points in the team's 21 victories. It topped 100 points in all but 2 matches, one of which was the Grand Final in muddy conditions. Collingwood defeated North Melbourne in the Preliminary Final to setup a Grand Final clash between the two old enemies. After a slow start Carlton would trail by 10 points at quarter-time, but would lead by 1 point going into half-time. A 5 goal third quarter gave the Blues a 21 point lead going into the last quarter, but poor kicking would threaten the chance of victory for the team. Kicking 1.4 for the last quarter Carlton hung on to win by only 5 points and claim their 12th Premiership, equalling both Collingwood and Essendon for the most VFL premierships at the time. Jesaulenko now had the enviable record of 35 wins and a premiership from 42 games as coach in less than two seasons in the position. Unbelievably he wouldn't be the Carlton Coach in the following season. Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Ian Rice issued a challenge to incumbent President George Harris for control of the club. Jesaulenko threw his support behind Harris, who had appointed him Coach the previous season. In a bitter and hard fought election, Rice would win and Jesaulenko would cross to St Kilda as their coach. Jesaulenko would again coach the Blues, being appointed after Robert Walls mid season sacking in 1989 until the end of the 1990 season.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Memorabilia: Sporting - AFL/VFL