West Coast forward Josh Kennedy poses for a photo with Ross Glendinning after being named best on ground during the round 6 clash with Fremantle in 2017.
Camera IconWest Coast forward Josh Kennedy poses for a photo with Ross Glendinning after being named best on ground during the round 6 clash with Fremantle in 2017. Credit: Supplied/by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images

AFL: Western Derby on-ground trophy and medal presentations could still be retained, says Freo chief executive

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

THE move to scrap the on-ground trophy presentation and the awarding of a medal for the best player in Sunday’s Western Derby could still be reversed, Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich says.

The Dockers announced yesterday a new sponsorship agreement with Carlton United Breweries (CUB) did not include the derby trophy presentation.

The announcement also brought with it news there would be no Ross Glendinning Medal for the game’s best player.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Addressing the media today, Rosich was hopeful a resolution could be found and that the trophy and medal would be retained.

“We’re keen to continue exploring options for both the presentation of a trophy and a medal,” he said.

“With respect to the naming of the game and the presentation of the trophy, we’ll continue to work with West Coast as we have been for some time to explore a sponsor that can partner with us.”

Rosich said he was keen to explore a new medal with a new name that better reflected Fremantle’s growing status and the state’s new footballing venue.

“It’s a new era with a new stadium,” he said.

“Optus Stadium, 60,000 capacity, the new home of football – it’s the right time to consider a new name for the medal.”

Rosich said one option being explored was the joint naming of the medal, with retention of the Glendinning name coupled with that of a former Fremantle player.

The club also put forward the option of the “Derby Medal”, something similar to Adelaide’s Showdown Medal.

Rosich argued both alternatives had been knocked back by West Coast, which was keen for both clubs to award separate medals to their own players.

Despite this, he said there was still time to reach an agreement.

“The conversations will hopefully continue with West Coast,” he said.

“If need be we’ll get the AFL and Football Commission involved to ideally reach a conclusion that I guess comes out as a new medal name that reflects both clubs’ histories and also takes into account this new era at Optus Stadium.”

MORE: Fine weather predicted for Perth after weekend downpour

MORE: Perth Anzac Day services 2018: full list of events and locations

MORE: Perth Anzac Day 2018 public transport info

MORE: Anzac Day 2018: where you can find a game of two-up

MORE: Anzac Day 2018: some of the inspiring servicemen and women we’ll never forget