Dewar Shield: Victorian club rugby’s 112-year-old trophy stolen from Melbourne Rugby Union Club

It is hailed as Victorian rugby’s version of the AFL Premiership Cup. But some light-fingered ‘blindside flanker’ has done a runner with it.

Victorian Rugby Union's most famous trophy, the 112-year-old Dewar Shield, has been stolen. Picture: Supplied.

A 112-year-old trophy described as Victorian rugby’s version of the AFL Premiership Cup has been stolen, leaving a suburban club devastated.

The Dewar Shield, first awarded in 1909, was taken from the home of the Melbourne Rugby Union Club in Prahran sometime on April 13.

It was last seen at the Geoff Hickey Pavilion at Orrong Romanis Reserve after the club had a media day.

The shield is the biggest prize in Victorian rugby union and is the namesake of the annual club competition.

Melbourne Rugby Union Club committee member Anthony Iezzi said the club was “beside itself” over the theft of the shield, which it had won 21 times including the past two seasons.

“This is the equivalent of losing a 110-year-old VFL/AFL cup,” Mr Iezzi said.

“It has no monetary value, it’s a priceless bit of memorabilia for the Victorian rugby community.”

“We’re shocked and devastated someone would do something like this.”

Mr Iezzi said the club had reported the theft to police after checking to see if any players had accidentally taken the piece of silverware.

“We’re constantly there (at the reserve) for training and we thought someone might have handed it in,” he said.

“We’re hoping there’s a good Samaritan out there who might have picked it up and has been sitting on it … it's a really special piece for our club.”

Rugby Victoria chief executive Chris Evans said the organisation had reached out to pawnbrokers on Chapel St and recycling yards incase the shield turned up.

“The shield means so much to our community here in Victoria,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful tradition and we’ve had Wallabies players who have come through and played for it the past, so it has huge significance.”

Anyone who might have seen the shield or has information is asked to phone Prahran Police on 9520 5200.