The WAFC Announces Retrospective Bernie Naylor Medals InitiativeWednesday, July 3, 2024 - 10:10 AM

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) is proud to announce a significant initiative to honour past WAFL leading kickers from 1955 to 1995 with retrospective Bernie Naylor Medals. 

This effort seeks to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of past WAFL players to the sport’s rich history in Western Australia.

The Bernie Naylor Medal, introduced in 1996, is awarded annually to the leading goal kicker in the WAFL. 

Inspired by the AFL's decision to award retrospective Coleman Medals to the VFL leading goal kickers from 1955 to 1981, the WAFC Heritage Committee has decided to extend this recognition to WAFL players from 1955 – the year Bernie Naylor retired – to 1995.

WAFC CEO Michael Roberts said the WAFL has produced many exceptional goal kickers whose performances have significantly contributed to the growth and development of the league. 

“This initiative is a crucial step in acknowledging these past achievements and providing a well-deserved reward for some of the league's greatest players,” Roberts said.

A key motivator and advocate of this initiative was the late WA Football Hall of Famer Austin Robertson. His tireless efforts and dedication played a crucial role in ensuring that the achievements of past WAFL goal kickers are rightfully recognised and celebrated.

Details of the Initiative:

A total of 43 Bernie Naylor Medals will be awarded for the period between 1955 and 1995, with some years having dual winners (1980 – 1992).
The medals have been crafted to match the standard of the current Bernie Naylor Medal.

Retrospective winners 1955 – 1995:
1995 - Jason Heatley (Subiaco)  
1994 - Brenton Cooper (Perth) 
1993 - Jason Heatley (Subiaco) 
1992 - Kevin Caton* (Swan Districts) 
1992 - Craig Edwards* (South Fremantle) 
1991 - John Hutton (Claremont) 
1990 - Glen Bartlett (East Perth) 
1989 - Neil Lester-Smith (East Fremantle) 
1988 - Todd Breman (Subiaco) 
1987 - Todd Breman (Subiaco) 
1986 - Mick Rea (Perth) 
1985 - Mick Rea (Perth) 
1984 - Brent Hutton (Swan Districts) 
1983 - Warren Ralph (Claremont) 
1982 - Warren Ralph (Claremont) 
1981 - Warren Ralph (Claremont) 
1980 - Warren Ralph* (Claremont) 
1980 - Simon Beasley* (Swan Districts) 
1979 - Kevin Taylor (East Fremantle) 
1978 - Ray Bauskis (South Fremantle) 
1977 - Ray Bauskis (South Fremantle) 
1976 - Norm Uncle (Claremont) 
1975 - Murray Couper (Perth) 
1974 - Max George (Swan Districts) 
1973 - Phil Smith (West Perth) 
1972 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1971 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1970 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1969 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1968 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1967 - Phil Tierney (East Perth) 
1966 - Bob Johnson (East Fremantle) 
1965 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1964 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1963 - Ron Evans (West Perth) 
1962 - Austin Robertson (Subiaco) 
1961 - John Gerovich (South Fremantle) 
1960 - John Gerovich (South Fremantle) 
1959 - Neil Hawke (East Perth) 
1958 - Bill Mose (East Perth) 
1957 - Don Glass (Subiaco) 
1956 - John Gerovich (South Fremantle) 
1955 - Ray Scott (West Perth) 
*Represents dual winners in that year.