Collingwood 1990 premiership midfielder Scott Russell has been retrospectively awarded the 1996 ANZAC Day medal for his 26-disposal and one-goal performance in the Magpie win over the Bombers; 17.15 (117) to 16.9 (105).
Russell, who played 182 games for Collingwood, also polled three Brownlow votes in the second annual ANZAC Day match.
Highlights from the 1995 ANZAC Day draw.
Russell helped lead a Magpie fight back with the side booting six goals to two in the final term to eventually seal the 12-point win.
Russell told the Herald Sun, "To be judged best afield in 1996 and be awarded a retrospective medal makes me very proud, considering the tradition of Anzac Day and what we were honouring when we played.
"To stand there in front of 90,000 passionate but silent fans is a wonderful feeling. Obviously nothing can compare with what the Anzacs went through, although as a footballer you do learn to cope with extremes."
The AFL, Essendon and Collingwood Football Clubs have come together to award retrospective ANZAC Medals from 1995-99. Click here to view previous medal winners.
The AFL, the two clubs as well as the Herald Sun and Channel 10 collaborated to award medals for the first five ANZAC Day matches the sides contested, and a three-person panel was appointed to vote for each game.
The retrospective ANZAC Medals are recognised as official awards by the AFL. Recipients will be presented with their medals at next Monday's ANZAC Day match at the MCG.
Scott Russell player bio
Games: 198 AFL games (182 Collingwood)
Goals: 115 goals (107 Collingwood)
Club honours: Copeland Trophy runner up (1990, 91, 92, 96)
1996 ANZAC Day medal voting
Adrian Anderson (AFL)
3. Scott Russell (Coll), 2. Paul Williams (Coll), 1. James Hird (Ess)
Danny Frawley (AFLCA)
3. Scott Russell (Coll), 2. Mark Mercuri (Ess), 1. Tony Francis (Coll)
Luke Darcy (Channel 10)
3. Paul Williams (Coll), 2. Saverio Rocca (Coll), 1. Scott Russell (Coll)
Total
7 - Scott Russell (Coll)
5 - Paul Williams (Coll)
2 - Saverio Rocca (Coll)
2 - Mark Mercuri (Ess)
1 - James Hird (Ess)
1 - Tony Francis (Coll)
