08-07-2025
'What he would have wanted': Family of AFL legend set to sell Brownlow Medal
The family of late Sydney Swans legend Barry Round are reportedly set to sell his Brownlow Medal at auction later this year. Round played 193 games for South Melbourne and Sydney from 1976 to 1985, winning the prestigious Brownlow Medal in 1981.
An AFL Hall of Fame member and part of the Swans' team of the century, Round died in 2022 at age 72. On Tuesday, Channel 7 reporter Xander McGuire revealed his family have made the call to sell his Brownlow in September.
McGuire wrote on social media: "The 1981 Brownlow Medal is officially up for grabs! Won by the late Barry Round at the Swans, his family is putting it up for auction in late September at Leski Auctions. The medal will be offered by itself - while other lots will include his match worn jumpers, other awards and documents."
Round's family first revealed last year they were planning to auction off his Brownlow, and wanted to do it in tandem with the medal won by Brisbane Lions legend Bernie Quinlan the same year. Round and Quinlan were joint winners of the gong in 1981 - the first time a tie had ever occurred in the Brownlow count.
Prior to that, there was a count-back system in place to prevent joint-winners. But the AFL later changed the rules and handed out retrospective Brownlows in a special celebration in 1989.
Round's daughter Natalie last year that the family had been in dialogue with Quinlan about putting both medals up for auction. Natalie said her father was immensely proud of his achievement, but would have supported the move.
'We were the lucky ones, we got to share dad's life with him,' Natalie said. 'My brother, my Dad and I were just great friends who enjoyed having a laugh and a great time. I used to say to Dad, 'What will you do with that Brownlow?' and you could just see how much joy he got out of showing it off to people.
'I probably didn't see that until I had possession of it myself. It's not like I do anything with it, so we thought you would like it to go to someone who can enjoy it and share it with others. That's what dad would have wanted.'
Natalie said Quinlan was on board with selling both Brownlows, but it's unclear whether that plan will go ahead. Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley put some of his own prized possessions up for auction in 2023, including the Brownlow he won in 2003. He netted around $200,000 for his memorabilia.
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Upon hearing the news that Round's Brownlow is set to go under the hammer, fans have called for the AFL or Swans to buy it and put it in the Hall of Fame or club museum. One person wrote: "The AFL should purchase it and any other memorabilia, then display it all in a footy museum or donate it to his club for them to display to the public."
Round played a total of 328 games across his VFL/AFL career, including 135 for Footscray and 110 for Williamstown. He was a two-time winner of the Swans' best and fairest award and captained the club between 1980 and 1984.
I've never understood why this would be of value to others? Wouldn't it be best if the swan's buy it. Put it in the museum etc
— Shane (@shaloz5) July 8, 2025
It's value will be interesting given he won it alongside Bernie quinlan
— Daniel O'Brien (@danthomasobrien) July 8, 2025
The afl should purchase it and any other memorabilia , then display it all in a footy museum or donate it to his club for them to display to the public
— Trevor lewis (@Thendy74) July 8, 2025
