Ruckman Norman Ware captained Footscray in 1940 and was given the task of being captain-coach in 1941-42.
In 1941, Ware made history by becoming the first, and only, playing coach to win the Brownlow Medal. Ware finished his career having played 200 games.
1941 Brownlow Medal Leaderboard
Player |
Team |
Votes |
| Norman Ware | Footscray | 23 |
| Herbie Matthews | South Melbourne | 22 |
| Fred Hughson | Fitzroy | 17 |
| Reg Garvin | St Kilda | 14 |
| Bob Chitty* | Carlton | 14 |
| Harry Hickey | Footscray | 13 |
| Andy Angwin | Hawthorn | 13 |
| George Kennedy | North Melbourne | 13 |
| Jack Graham | South Melbourne | 13 |
*Ineligible due to suspension
