The Geelong Cats Club Champion Award, known as the Carji Greeves Medal, represents the highest individual honour a Cats player can achieve in a given season. Named after the legendary Edward “Carji” Greeves, the first Brownlow Medal winner in 1924, this award is voted on by the coaching panel after each match. Understanding the terminology surrounding this prestigious accolade provides deeper insight into the club’s rich history and its ongoing pursuit of excellence in the Australian Football League.
Glossary of Key Terms
Carji Greeves Medal
The highest individual honour awarded annually to the Cats player judged best and fairest for the season. Named after Carji Greeves, the first Brownlow Medal winner (1924), the medal is voted by the coaching staff on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis after each match. Multiple winners include Joel Selwood (four times) and Patrick Dangerfield (three times).Best and Fairest
The formal criterion for the Carji Greeves Medal, assessing a player’s overall performance and conduct across the home-and-away season. Unlike the Brownlow Medal, which counts only the best player per game, this award considers consistency and team-first attributes.Voting System
The method used by Geelong’s coaching panel to determine the Carji Greeves Medal winner. After each AFL match, coaches allocate votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 scale to the Cats players they deem most influential. The player with the highest cumulative vote tally at season’s end receives the medal.Joel Selwood
Former Cats captain and four-time Carji Greeves Medal winner (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013). Selwood’s leadership and contested ball-winning ability made him a perennial contender for the award. His 2011 victory coincided with Geelong’s premiership triumph.Patrick Dangerfield
Three-time Carji Greeves Medal winner (2015, 2016, 2020) and one of the most decorated Cats players of the modern era. Dangerfield’s explosive midfield performances earned him the award in his first two seasons at the club after crossing from Adelaide.Tom Hawkins
Two-time Carji Greeves Medal winner (2019, 2021) and the club’s leading goalkicker across multiple seasons. Hawkins’ consistency as a key forward earned him the award in his 13th and 15th seasons, highlighting his longevity and value to the Cats.Chris Scott
Geelong coach since 2011, under whom the Carji Greeves Medal has been awarded annually. Scott’s coaching panel oversees the voting system, and his tenure has seen multiple winners, including Selwood, Dangerfield, and Hawkins.AFL Premiership
The ultimate team success, which has often correlated with Carji Greeves Medal winners. Selwood (2011) and Dangerfield (2022) both won the medal in premiership seasons, underscoring the link between individual excellence and team glory.AFL Grand Final
The premiership decider where Carji Greeves Medal winners have historically performed. In 2011, Selwood’s 18-disposal, one-goal effort in the Grand Final capped his medal-winning season. Dangerfield’s 2022 Grand Final performance included 24 disposals and a goal.Kardinia Park
Geelong’s home ground, officially known as GMHBA Stadium, where the Carji Greeves Medal is traditionally presented at the club’s best and fairest night. The Cattery has hosted the event since the award’s inception in 1926.Kardinia Park Redevelopment
The ongoing stadium upgrade that has enhanced the club’s facilities, including the function spaces where the Carji Greeves Medal ceremony is held. The redevelopment ensures the award presentation continues at Geelong’s spiritual home.Brownlow Medal
The AFL’s league MVP award, which Carji Greeves himself won in 1924. While the Brownlow recognises the best player across the competition, the Carji Greeves Medal is Geelong’s internal measure of excellence. Only three Cats players—Greeves, Selwood, and Dangerfield—have won both awards.AFL Draft
The national draft through which many Carji Greeves Medal winners entered the Cats system. Selwood (pick 7, 2006) and Hawkins (pick 41, 2006) were both drafted, while Dangerfield joined via free agency. The draft remains the primary pathway for future medal winners.AFL Finals Series
The postseason competition where Carji Greeves Medal winners often elevate their performance. Multiple winners like Selwood and Dangerfield have been among Geelong’s best in finals, contributing to the Cats’ sustained success.Geelong VFL
The reserves team that has developed several future Carji Greeves Medal winners. Players like Hawkins spent time in the VFL before establishing themselves as AFL stars, demonstrating the pathway from the reserves to the club’s highest honour.200 Games Club
A milestone achieved by many Carji Greeves Medal winners, including Selwood (355 games), Hawkins (350+), and Dangerfield (300+). The 200 Games Club recognises players who have demonstrated the longevity and consistency required to win multiple best and fairest awards.2025 AFL Season
The upcoming season in which the next Carji Greeves Medal winner will be crowned. With a young list emerging alongside experienced stars, the 2025 season promises to produce a compelling best and fairest count.Club Milestones
The broader category under which the Carji Greeves Medal falls, including premierships, individual records, and historic achievements. The award is one of the club’s most significant annual milestones.Best First-Year Player
An additional award presented at the Carji Greeves Medal ceremony, recognising the most impressive debutant. This award often foreshadows future best and fairest success, as seen with Selwood (2007) and Dangerfield (2008 at Adelaide).Most Consistent Player
A supplementary award voted by the coaching panel that often correlates with the top-three finishers in the Carji Greeves Medal. This award highlights the value of week-to-week excellence in the AFL competition.Player Leadership Group
The senior players who often dominate Carji Greeves Medal voting. Selwood captained the group for 12 seasons, while Dangerfield and Hawkins have served as vice-captains, reflecting the link between leadership and best and fairest recognition.Summary
The Carji Greeves Medal glossary provides a comprehensive framework for understanding Geelong’s most prestigious individual award. From the voting system and its historical roots in Carji Greeves’ Brownlow Medal triumph to the modern-era dominance of Selwood, Dangerfield, and Hawkins, these terms illuminate how the Cats measure individual excellence within a team-first culture. As the 2025 AFL Season approaches, the award remains a benchmark for consistency and leadership at the highest level of Australian rules football.
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