The AFL last night presented its retrospective medals for the leading goalkickers and premiership coaches from 1897 onwards, following a decision in 2003 to award medals for all previous winners who were not recognised at the time. Essendon greats John Coleman, Dick Reynolds and master coach Kevin Sheedy were some of the players honoured last night.

The Premiership Coach's Medal was presented to premiership coaches up to 1949. For premiership coaches from 1950, the Jock McHale Medal was presented, in honour of the Collingwood coach who retired at the end of 1949. (note; The Jock McHale Medal has been presented on Grand Final Day since 2001.)

Retrospective James F 'Jock' McHale Medallists
1950 - Dick Reynolds, Essendon
1962 - John Coleman, Essendon
1965 - John Coleman, Essendon
1984 - Kevin Sheedy, Essendon
1985 - Kevin Sheedy, Essendon
1993 - Kevin Sheedy, Essendon
2000 - Kevin Sheedy, Essendon

Retrospective VFL/AFL Premiership Coach Medallists
1911 - Jack Worrall, Essendon
1912 - Jack Worrall, Essendon
1923 - Sid Barker, Essendon
1924 - Sid Barker, Essendon
1942 - Dick Reynolds, Essendon
1946 - Dick Reynolds, Essendon
1949 - Dick Reynolds, Essendon

The Leading Goalkicker Medal was presented to the leading goalkickers up to 1954. For leading goalkickers from 1955, the John Coleman Medal was presented, in honour of the Essendon player whose career was cut short by injury during the 1954 season. (note; The John Coleman Medal has been presented since 1981.)

Retrospective Coleman Medallists (note these are home and away goal tallies)
1959 - Ron Evans, Essendon, 69 goals
1960 - Ron Evans, Essendon, 67 goals
1966 - Ted Fordham, Essendon, 73 goals

Retrospective Leading Goal Kicker Medallists (note these are home and away goal tallies)
1900 - Albert Thurgood, Essendon and Teddy Lockwood, Geelong, 24 goals
1901 - Fred Hiskins, Essendon, 34 goals
1923 - Greg Stockdale, Essendon, 64 goals
1949 - John Coleman, Essendon, 85 goals
1950 - John Coleman, Essendon, 112 goals
1951 - John Coleman, Essendon, 75 goals
1952 - John Coleman, Essendon, 103 goals
1953 - John Coleman, Essendon, 96 goals