YALLOURN FOOTBALL CLUB ~THE RODDA-TROOD MEDALLISTS 1953-1986
Jimmy Shaw was the only Yallourn player to have won the Rodda Medal for the Best and Fairest Player in the Central Gippsland League.
The award was instituted in memory of a young Morwell footballer Fred Rodda (23) who died from internal injuries that were sustained in a match against Yarragon in 1935. Despite surgery, Fred died in hospital. In 1936, the CGFL re-named its Best and Fairest Award to the Rodda Medal.
Jimmy Shaw had a stellar year in 1953 and polled 20 votes to win the medal from Noel Ross (Mirboo North). Noel had played for Richmond (1945-49) and had won the award in 1951.
The President of Morwell Football Club, at that time, Mr Stan Thomas, described the Yallourn rover as “a fine player and a gentleman.” Mr Vic Johns of Yallourn FC responded and congratulated Jimmy and said, “it was the first time that the honour had been won by a Yallourn player.”
Former Yallourn and Carlton midfielder, Doug Williams polled 11 votes. Doug played at Morwell in that year after returning to the Latrobe Valley after coaching in Tasmania.
In 1954, the Rodda Medal was re-named the Rodda-Trood Medal when the Latrobe Valley Football League was formed. Mr T. Trood was a leading and influential identity in the Sale district. Mr Trood was granted Life Membership of the both Sale Football Club and the Gippsland Football League.
Yallourn footballers who have won major awards/medals in the period 1953-1986 have been:
RODDA & RODDA/TROOD MEDAL~ SENIORS.
• 1953 Jimmy Shaw 20 votes
• 1960 Steve Szabo 20 votes
• 1962 Rick Belford 27 votes
• 1964 Mike Collins 17 votes
• 1981 Ray Mildenhall (Y-YN) 28 votes
• 1983 Ray Mildenhall (Y-YN) 20 votes
REX HARTLEY MEDAL~ RESERVES
• 1959 Ray Pollock 18 votes
• 1961 Jack Vinall 20 votes
• 1969 Barry Taylor 14 votes
• 1972 Barry Taylor 13 votes
• 1978 John Kimberley 18 votes
• 1985 Ray de Carli (Y-YN) 20 votes
BRUCE WILKINSON MEDAL~ THIRDS
• 1959 Norm Hall 12 votes
• 1978 Wayne Mc Innes 25 votes
Footnotes~ Steve Szabo:
1. In 1960, Steve Szabo tied for the Medal with Jim Beha (Heyfield)
2. Considering Steve did not play Australian Rules football until 1959 his win in 1960 was a remarkable achievement. Up until that season, Steve had been a highly regarded goalkeeper for the Yallourn Soccer Club (see Virtual Yallourn~Groups). Steve swapped football codes in 1959 when Vic Lawrence coached the Blues.
3. After 65 senior games with Yallourn, Steve sought and won a clearance to play with Morwell in 1964.
4. In 1965 Steve won his second Rodda-Trood Medal as a ruckman for Morwell. He polled 26 votes.
5. Steve’s son, Brett has also won a handsome reputation in VCFL football circles. At 42 years of age, Brett is still playing senior football for Heyfield FC.
Results since 1986 may be obtained by contacting the Yallourn-Yallourn North Football Club or Mid Gippsland Football League.
Written by Roger Spaull for Virtual Yallourn. September 2012.