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In doing my research on the VFL Reserves I came across the unfortunate tale of a couple of people who were never given the medals they so rightfully deserved.

The Gardiner Medal was given to the best and fairest player in the VFL/AFL's reserves league from 1926 through to 1999. There were a couple of ties early on before a countback system was adopted for the first time in 1933 when Ern 'Tich' Utting from Hawthorn won the award on fifteen votes. Footscray's Bill Findlay and Melbourne's Hec Davidson also polled fifteen votes, but lost on countback due to the amount of three-voters (or "firsts") polled by each player. Utting had four firsts, Findlay three, Davidson one. Hence only Utting received a medal.

We all know in 1989 that the VFL decided to right its wrongs from early history and award all countback 'losers' a Brownlow Medal. In their infinite wisdom it took another three years to decide the same thing should be done for the Gardiner Medal. And so apparently in 1992, countback 'losers' from 1950, 1970 and 1971 were given medals.

It appears that 1933 has slipped through the cracks. I feel that the families of these players deserve either a medal or at least recognition in some official format. Thoughts?

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205117929

EDIT: I also just realised that Davidson lost on a countback in 1932 as well, the year earlier. He hasn't been recognised for that either. Did this guy walk under a ladder or what?!