Brownlow Medal Proof: c1993 Proof of Brownlow Medal, ex sculptor/die-sinker Jeff Rae. (The Charles Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal, is awarded to the 'fairest and best' player in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the home-and-away season, as determined by. votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game. It is the most prestigious award for individual players in the AFL. It is also widely acknowledged as the highest individual honour in the sport of. Australian rules football).