Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 14 September 1940, page 11


Football

AWARDS FOR

PLAYERS

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League Decision

Three Brownlow medals-the original one to be kept at the League headquarters, and the other two handed to the joint winners, with an inscription denoting that it was shared was the decision of the Victorian Football League delegates at the meeting last night.

Mr. I. Gibson, chairman of the permit committee, reporting the result of the voting for the Brownlow Medal for best and fairest player in the League, said that in every respect H. Matthews (South j Melbourne) and D. Fothergill (Collinswood) were equal, and it was decided to refer the decision to the League. Mr.

L. H. McBrien, secretary, said that the advisory committee considered that it had a solution of an unusual position. It could be argued that the Brownlow Medal had not been won, nor had it been lost, but it was one medal and one award. It was proposed that the medal be struck and that it be given a permanent position in Harrison House, with the inscription Two best players of 1940." So far as the players were concerned, they would receive a medal of the same type, with the addition of the details of the tie, and with a suitable certificate, the gift of the League.

Mr. J. K. Stewart (St. Kilda) endorsed the suggestion, despite the fact that the rules provided for only one medal. He felt that the players concerned would be delighted.

The proposal was adopted, the advisory committee to decide on the wording on the replicas.

PAYMENTS TO PLAYERS

inferences that some clubs Had evaded the decision to reduce payments to players from £3 to 30/ a week by placing the difference into the players provident fund were made. The question was raised by Mr B Hogg (Melbourne), who asked that the point be elucidated, as it had been maintained that clubs which could afford it should not be debarred from placing money into that fund.

Mr K G Luke (Carlton) said that his recollection was that when the re-ductions were made it was understood that no such payments to provident funds would be permitted

According to Mr H Clover (Carlton) there were rumours that players of some clubs had been promised that the reduced payments would be made in that way

It was a cut that was not a cut in those circumstances ' he said

it was waste of time to deal with the subject at this stage Mr W Brew said, because some clubs had already made arrangements, and should not be asked to alter them

Mr Gibson said that some clubs apparently confused a bonus (which was forbidden) with the provident fund, which was not mentioned

Mr J C Blair (Melbourne) maintained that it was a domestic matter only, and every club was entitled to foster a pro-vident fund

Mr Luke said that before the season was begun his club had a credit of £1 300 Now, because the team had not played well there was nothing like that amount in credit It was much too late to discuss provident fund payments, it should have been done at the time

It was breaking the spirit of the reduction to increase the payments by clubs into the provident funds said Dr W C McClelland president

The advisory committee was asked to discuss the print

Dr McClelland said that he had been asked by the War Comforts committee for permission to allow Mr L H McBrien secretary to become honorary administrator of the fund. The League unanimously accorded permission Dr McClelland said that it was gratifying to know that the League opinion of Mr McBrien great ability had been recognised in other quarters

In congratulating Mr McBrien Dr McClelland said that his knowledge of conditions his ability to handle intricate problems and his facility for carrying out any undertaking would make him

rain pigskin

Requests that the League should support the Lord Mayor's appeal for victims of German bombing in England were referred to the finance committee.

Mr. G. Cathie (Geelong) suggested that a considerable amount could be raised if the premier team played a combined a team from the other three teams in the four, or if the South Australian and Vic? torian League premier teams played a , match for the appeal.