McKenzie, who also finished fourth in the best and fairest, was among several other award winners at Melbourne’s Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy dinner, held at Crown Palladium.
After winning it in 2010-11, the much admired McKenzie gained the coach’s award for the player who best represented the qualities of work ethic and preparation.
Second year Demon Tom McDonald gained the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy for the best young player, which was previously for best first year player until changed this season.
The trophy is now awarded to the best young player to have played 33 games or fewer entering a particular season. The player must also be 21 years or younger at the start of a season.
Co-captain Jack Grimes received his second consecutive Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy (leadership award), which was also shared this year with fellow skipper Jack Trengove.
Ruckman Max Gawn, who missed the entire 2012 season with a knee injury, was awarded the Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy (club ambassador award) for his work in the community.
Rookie Tom Couch, who came runner up in this year’s Liston Trophy (the Brownlow Medal equivalent in the VFL), accepted the Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy for the most votes attained by a Melbourne-listed player in Casey’s best and fairest.
Football manager Josh Mahoney gained the Jim Stynes President’s Award for his commitment to the club’s desired values and behaviours.
And media manager Ryan Larkin received the Jim Cardwell CEO’s Award for outstanding performance in relation to the business objectives.
2012 Melbourne best and fairest - other award winners
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy: Jordie McKenzie
Norm Smith coached the club to six premierships in 1955-56-57, 1959-60 and 1964 and played in four in 1939-40-41 and 1948. The Club’s all-time leading goalkicker until surpassed by David Neitz, Smith dominated the game for four decades. He was named the Australian Football coach of the century.
Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy: Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes
A legend of the game, Barassi is integral to Melbourne. He revolutionised the role of ruck-rover, and his natural leadership skills proved instrumental to his success as player and coach. A fierce competitor who played in six premiership sides - 1955-56-57, 1959-60 and 1964 - and was captain in 1960 and 1964, Barassi cemented his fame as a master coach and innovator of the game.
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy: Tom McDonald
Harold Ball was an emerging ruckman and fundamental to the premiership successes in 1939-40, before losing his life during World War Two. In his first year - 1939 - Ball was voted Melbourne’s Best First Year Player. The award was named in his honour as of 1946.
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy: Max Gawn
Ian ‘Tiger’ Ridley was one of the game’s most tenacious rovers. He was a key figure in five Melbourne premierships - 1955-56-57 and 1959-60. After retirement, Ridley coached the club from 1971-73. He later served in a number of VFL/AFL administrative posts and was Melbourne president from 1992-96.
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy: Tom Couch
Originally from SANFL club Port Adelaide, Troy Broadbridge was elevated from the rookie list late in 2000. He came of age in the 2004 finals, but was tragically killed later that year in the Boxing Day tsunami when on honeymoon with wife Trisha. He was a dual premiership player with Sandringham - then Melbourne’s VFL affiliate - in 2000 and 2004.
Jim Stynes President’s Award: Josh Mahoney
One of the game’s most incredible stories, Jim Stynes came to Australia as part of the ‘Irish Experiment’. He went on to win the 1991 Brownlow Medal, play a League record 244 consecutive games and share a club record of four best and fairests. Away from the game, Stynes co-founded the Reach Foundation and was twice named Victorian of the Year. Stynes became Melbourne president in 2008, restoring the club’s fortunes while facing a long battle with cancer. He passed away on March 20, 2012.
Jim Cardwell CEO’s award: Ryan Larkin
James Hector Cardwell was Melbourne’s club secretary from 1951-75. He helped to assemble arguably the greatest footballing dynasty of all time, serving in a full-time capacity from 1958. Watching over his team as they won six premierships and took part in eight Grand Finals, he was the supreme football administrator. Helping to lure Norm Smith back as coach, Cardwell was integral to a recruiting team that created an era to remember.
