Alan Martello: ESCFA Best and Fairest U/16 (1967) U/17 (1968) A Grade (1969)

Alan Martello receives 1969 Association A Grade Best and Fairest Medal on Grand Final Day. Click to view Gallery

1969 A Grade Runners Up Team Photo

1967 U/16 Team Photo

1966 U/16 Team Photo

1964 U/16 Team Photo

Alan Martello began his career at St Mary's in 1964 at age 10, and was 19th man in the 1964 U/16 Premiership side coached by John Mason.

He played in the U/16s in 1966 alongside Colin Tippett (c) and Phil Tyler, and coached by Dick Hooker.

The following year, 1967 he won the ESCFA U/16 Best and Fairest as a 14 year old, playing in the U/16 team captained by David Jones and coached by Dick Hooker. Fred Martello and Colin Bellinger were also members of the 1967 U/16 team.

He won the ESCFA U/17 Best and Fairest in 1968, again captained by David Jones and coached by Dick Hooker.

Despite offers to from Hawthorn to play in their U/19s, Alan stayed at the club in 1969 and joined older brothers John Martello and Fred Martello in A Grade, captain-coached by Doug Philipson. This was to be the only season that the three Martello brothers played together as teammates in the one team.

That year, Alan won both the Club and the ESCFA A Grade Best and Fairest in 1969 as a 16 year old, and was one of three St Mary's players selected in the ESCFA Representative team that defeated the South West Gippsland Football League Rep team. Alan was joined in the Rep team by Ron Wilson and Geoff Trenerry.

Alan was presented with the 1969 ESCFA A Grade Best and Fairest Medal on Grand Final Day by Association Secretary Bert Cooper. Players from the Burwood, Highfield, Pioneers and Dandenong clubs joined Alan for the presentation and lap of honour around the Camberwell Football Ground

The Saints dominated the 1969 season, and went into the 1969 Grand Final as 'hot' favourites, only to be beaten by the more experienced Box Hill Pioneers in a Grand Final 'upset' in what was Alan's last game for St Mary's.

Alan was recruited by Hawthorn the following year, and played his first game of League football in Round One 1970, as a 17 year old, against Geelong at Glenferrie Oval.

During his eleven years at Hawthorn (1970-1980), he played in the 1971, 1976 and 1978 Premiership sides, and represented Victoria in 1973. He played his 200th game at age 25 years and 11 months, and was the youngest player to have achieved that milestone.

He finished his career at Richmond (1981-83) and played in the 1982 Grand Final.

"From St Mary's Church of England Camberwell, he was a big strong and forceful centre half forward and ruckman, who played many fine games for the Hawks over a decade. Martello could kick prodigious distances and had the ability to burst through packs and create the play." - Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby and Jim Main.

The Alan Martello Perpetual Trophy was awarded to the Club Best and Fairest winner each year from 1978 - 1989.

Past winners are of the Alan Martello Perpertual Trophy are:

Receiving the 1967 ESCFA U/16 Best and Fairest Award

Alan Martello: St Mary's: 1964-1969: 100+ games ESCFA Best and Fairest U/16: 1967 ESCFA Best and Fairest U/17: 1968 ESCFA Best and Fairest A Grade: 1969 Club Best and Fairest A Grade: 1969 Member St Mary's Greatest Team (selected May 1978) Member ESCFA Representative Team 1969 U/16 Premiership: 1964 Hawthorn: 1970-1980: 223 games, 164 goals, 3 Premierships Richmond: 1981-1983: 32 games, 3 goals