Beschreibung:

NEW ZEALAND MEDALLION undated, a similar medal, unmounted, 3cm.diam., obverse engraved 'Winner N.Z.Medallion H.Matthews', suspended from a 9 carat gold lined curb link watch chain, together with Victorian Football League premiers, 15 carat gold and enamel medallion engraved South Melbourne F.C. 1933 H.Matthews and Matthews's 9 carat gold and enamel Honorary Life member South Melbourne Football Club medallion reverse engraved Herb Matthews, PRAHRAN FOOTBALL CLUB gold medal engraved 'Best All Round Play, H.Matthews', reverse with a chased foliate scroll border enclosing the image of a footballer running with the ball, 2.5cm.diam. The above suite of four New Zealand medallions apparently constitute four of the five Best and Fairest medals which records indicate, were awarded by South Melbourne F.C. to Herbie Matthews. Family traditions indicate that the fifth award was in the form of a wristwatch. There are apparently no detailed records held by the AFL nor other South Melbourne F.C. sources for this period of the Club's history specifically describing the Best and Fairest awards. However, football historians and others have suggested that, in the depression years immediately preceeding the second war it seems highly likely that the awards were donated by a private sponsor. None of the above sources identify L.J.Brabin. See illustration