Geelong loses historic medal

Andrew Mathieson
COUNTER bidding for the historic Brownlow Medal of legendary Cat Edward ‘Carji’ Greeves has priced Geelong Football Club out of the market.
President Frank Costa told the Independent yesterday soaring bids had forced Geelong to pull out of the race because purchasing the inaugural medal would “not be the correct use of members’ funds”.
The club’s board made the tough decision at a meeting on Wednesday night, Mr Costa said.
The game’s highest individual honour was presented to the Cats centreman in 1924, coincidentally in honour of tireless Geelong administrator Charles Brownlow who died the same year.
Mr Costa said the club expected the medal to eventually sell for between $400,000 and $500,000.
Earlier reports from agent John Weste, acting on behalf of Greeves’ daughter, June Ford, expected a sale price around $300,000 this week.
“The football club is not going to be putting in a bid any more,” a disappointed Mr Costa said.
“Obviously the interest level between collectors has been so great and the figures they’re talking are so high that we believe it will not be the correct use of members’ funds to put that much money in.
“It would just be the wrong thing to do when we’re trying to ensure the security of our football club.”
Mr Costa said six bidders were still competing for the medal after the Cats’ withdrawal.