AFL legend Ian Stewart pleads for his three Brownlow Medals to be returned after break in 30-year mystery

Footy great Ian Stewart says he wants his three Brownlow medals back after they were located on the other side of the world

Footy great Ian Stewart says he wants his three Brownlow Medals back after it was revealed they would be sold at an auction having being found on the other side of the world.

One of four V/AFL triple Brownlow medallists, the St Kilda and Richmond champion had not seen his medals for 30 years until an English couple found them at a home they had purchased.

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“The first time I heard from these people, I thought it was just somebody fishing. I sort of ignored it, I get a lot of junk emails,” auctioneer Charles Leski said.

“And after a few days, he wrote back again asking ‘Did you get my original message?’. I said yes, being sort of doubtful thinking, ‘Why would there be a Brownlow in England?’.

“And he wrote back saying ‘actually there are three’.”

Pictured a Brownlow Medal. Picture: Norm Oorloff

Leski has auctioned many Brownlow Medals in the past, with the first won by Geelong great’s Edward ‘Carji’ Greeves’ sold in 2011 for $203,660.

Stewart’s medals are planned to be sold individually, with heavy interest expected in the 1966 medal, won as he led the Saints to their only VFL premiership.

The 1965 and 1971 honours, the latter won at Richmond, are also tipped to fetch around $50,000.

But Stewart told Seven having finally learned where the Brownlows are, he wants them back.

“I can guarantee you 1000 per cent I never gave them away or sold them,” the 81-year-old told 7News.

St Kilda footballer Ian Stewart won three Brownlow Medals.

“I don’t know how the hell they ended up there.

“I don’t want to see them auctioned.

“I’m going to take steps to prove that I’m the rightful owner.”

Leski Auctions suggested this week the new Tasmanian AFL club would be a worthy buyer given Stewart is one of the state’s greatest products.

“Fortuitously, Ian Stewart is a Tasmanian and it would be appropriate and a principled decision for his medals to be permanently located in the new stadium, which is set to open in 2029 at Macquarie Point in Hobart,” they said in a statement.

The auction is currently scheduled to be held on February 12 and 13 from 12pm.

Originally published as AFL legend Ian Stewart pleads for his three Brownlow Medals to be returned after break in 30-year mystery