Special Sub-Topic: The Norm Smith Medal Click Here To Play: The Norm Smith Medal

The Norm Smith Medal was first awarded in 1979. Which player was the inaugural recipient?

Wayne Harmes. Despite Wayne Harmes playing over 150 games for Carlton, his entire career is best remembered for one act in the 1979 Grand Final, against Collingwood. With Carlton four points in front, deep into the last quarter, Harmes won the ball, kicked it into the forward pocket, chased his own kick, and just before it had crossed the boundary line (although many Magpies supporters will tell you the ball was in the third row of seats), knocked it into the goal square, where Ken Sheldon ran onto it and kicked a goal, giving Carlton enough breathing space to hold on for a victory.

In the 2002 Grand Final, Collingwood's Nathan Buckley became the 3rd player to win the Norm Smith Medal playing for the losing team, leading his team superbly to narrowly shade Brisbane's Michael Voss for the award. Geelong's Gary Ablett kicked 9 goals against Hawthorn in the classic Grand Final of 1989 to be the second. Who was the very first footballer to win the medal playing for the losing team?

Maurice Rioli, 1982. Richmond's Maurice Rioli, a player of exquisite skills and poise, won the Norm Smith Medal in 1982, kicking 3 goals, as his team lost to Carlton, 12.13(85) to 14.19(103)

The first two players with the initials "G.A." to win the Norm Smith Medal were Gary Ablett, and the champion Hawthorn backman, Gary Ayres, who won the medal twice (in 1986 and 1988). Who was the third player with the initials "G.A." to win the medal?

Glen Archer & Archer & Glenn Archer. North Melbourne strongman Glen Archer won the Medal in the Centenary Grand Final of 1996. It was the Roos first premiership in nineteen years, as they defeated the Sydney Swans 19.17(131) to 13.10(88).

A quiz on the Norm Smith Medal would not be complete without a question on the great man himself, the legendary Norm Smith. Although best known as a player, captain and coach with the Melbourne Football Club, for which two other clubs did Smith play and/or coach?

Fitzroy and South Melbourne. After playing 210 games, and kicking 540 goals for Melbourne between 1934 and 1948, Norm Smith was lured to Fitzroy for three seasons (1949-51), first as a player and later as coach. He returned to coach the Demons in 1952, leading his charges to 5 flags between 1955 and 1960 and a 6th in 1964, in an unparalleled era of success for the club. He coached South Melbourne for one season in 1970.

Because he WAS such a great figure in the AFL's history, here is another question on Norm Smith. When the AFL's team of the century was announced, Smith was named in which position?

Coach. Smith was named as the greatest coach in the AFL's history (up until the announcement of the League's "Team of the Century" in 1996), edging out legendary coaches such as Collingwood's Jock McHale, Hawthorn's John Kennedy, Melbourne's Ron Barassi and Essendon's Kevin Sheedy for the prestigious honour.

Which of these Hawthorn players never won the Norm Smith Medal?

Robert DiPierdomenico. Although widely believed to be best afield in the 1978 Grand Final (when Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne), Dipper's performance came a year too soon to be awarded the inaugural Norm Smith Medal. Colin Robertson won in 1983, Paul Dear in 1991, and Gary Ayres in 1986 and 1988.

Who was the first player to win the Brownlow Medal (league best-and-fairest award during the regular season) and Norm Smith Medal in the same season?

This has never happened. Hawthorn's John Platten was a worthy recipient of the Brownlow Medal in 1987 (tied with St. Kilda's Tony "Plugger" Lockett), but the Hawks lost the Grand Final that year to a David Rhys-Jones-inspired Carlton outfit. Andrew McLeod won back-to-back Norm Smith Medals in 1997-1998 (the first player to do so) but not the Brownlow, although he has come very close in subsequent seasons. James Hird HAS won both awards, but in separate seasons (Brownlow in 1996 and Norm Smith in 2000)

Who won the Norm Smith Medal in 1984?

Bill Duckworth. Bill Duckworth was a handy utility player, recruited from Western Australia. He never really hit the heights of more illustrious team-mates Daniher, Watson, Madden and van der Haar, but he was a valuable contributor to the team, playing in the back-to back premierships of 1984-85.

Andrew McLeod was the youngest player to have received the award, at 21 years and 1 month, in 1997, then again in 1998, aged 22 and 1 month. Which of these players was the next youngest winner, at age 22 and 5 months?

Shannon Grant, 1999. Shannon Grant, recruited to the Kangaroos from Sydney in a direct swap for Wayne Schwass, was the second youngest Norm Smith Medallist. He also won the Kangaroos best-and-fairest award in season 2001.

Which Norm Smith Medallist played the most VFL/AFL games?

Kevin Bartlett. Although other Norm Smith Medallists Simon Madden and Bruce Doull played over 350 games each, it is Kevin Bartlett, with 403 games to his name who has the distinction. Michael Tuck has played the most games in VFL/AFL history (426), but never won the Norm Smith Medal, despite playing in 10 Grand Finals.