OVER the past year, the AFL has awarded retrospective Coleman/leading goalkicker medals and McHale/premiership coach medals to recipients who never received them at the time, as they weren’t instituted.

In March this year, Melbourne received a medal for Jack Leith, the first leading goalkicker in 1987, who won the award with Geelong’s Eddy James.

The duo kicked 22 goals in the home and away season, before Leith finished with 26 goals and James 27, following the finals.

Hailing from Geelong, Leith played 133 matches and kicked 162 goals for Melbourne from 1897-1908 and 1911-12. He was widely regarded as the best forward in the league’s inaugural season.

Leith also played in Melbourne’s first premiership team in 1900 and topped the club’s goalkicking three times: 1897, 1899 and 1902. His best effort was 26 goals in 1897 and 1902.

As Melbourne takes on Geelong this round - and given the link between the two oldest VFL/AFL clubs and the fact Melbourne and Geelong had the first two goalkickers - melbournefc.com.au has presented this interview with Leith’s 97-year-old relative Colin.