In a special summer series, Richmond Media has been counting down the top 25 Tiger recruits from rival AFL clubs throughout the past five decades. We conclude today with the player ranked No. 1 by our panel – Ian Stewart.

No trade in the history of AFL/VFL football has attracted more publicity than the one that saw then dual St Kilda Brownlow Medallist Ian Stewart join Richmond in exchange for two-time Tiger premiership player Bill Barrot after the 1970 season.

This was a swap that sent shock waves throughout the football world . . . two genuine superstars of the game, both brilliant centremen, who had achieved so much at their respective clubs, trading places.

Leading into the 1971 season, debate raged about which club would emerge the winner in the deal.

In the end, however, it was a no-brainer.

Barrot managed only two senior appearances for St Kilda and was subsequently cleared to Carlton before the midway mark of the ’71 season.

Stewart, by stark contrast, went on to have a huge impact at Tigerland, capturing a third Brownlow Medal in his debut season with the Club, a Jack Dyer Medal the same year, and subsequently playing a pivotal role in Richmond’s 1973 premiership triumph.

To this day, Stewart is the only player in the competition’s history to have achieved the feat of winning a Brownlow Medal and being part of a premiership team at two different clubs.

Just for good measure, he also happens to be a member of both Richmond’s and St Kilda’s Team of the Century, as well as a Hall of Famer at the two clubs.

Initially, the Tigers’ decision to trade away Barrot in return for Stewart riled many Yellow and Black barrackers.

It didn’t take long, however, for Stewart to win them all over . . . his sublime skills making that a certainty.

Stewart was an outstanding kick with either foot, hitting his target with pinpoint precision.

He also was an excellent mark for his size, had terrific vision, balance, evasiveness, and enormous courage. 

In short, he was one of the most complete players the game has ever seen.

Stewart’s display in Richmond’s 1973 Grand Final victory over Carlton underlined his sheer class and bravery.

After copping a leg injury in the third quarter, Stewart was moved to a forward pocket where, despite being severely restricted, he still managed to exert significant influence.

He kicked a couple of goals there to finish with an equal-game high three goals, had 18 disposals, took five marks, and made the team’s best-players’ list on the most important football day of the year, as the Tigers gained sweet revenge for their shock loss to Carlton in the previous season’s Grand Final.

That year, Stewart finished runner-up to Tiger ‘Immortal’ Kevin Bartlett in the Jack Dyer Medal.

Bartlett, in his book, “KB:  A Life In Football”, provided a glowing snapshot of Stewart’s playing ability . . .

“Ian was your purist’s centreman. He was a craftsman, who had lovely timing with his kicking, and I don’t think anyone his size has been a better mark,” Bartlett wrote.

“He was truly a legendary player, and I doubt you could name a better centreman to have ever played the game . . . 

“He joined Richmond feeling he had a point to prove.  He wanted to show St Kilda that he wasn’t washed up and he worked really hard to demonstrate that he wasn’t a poor trainer, which was the reputation he brought with him from Moorabbin.  

“When he came to Richmond in 1971, I think it’s fair to say that he trained harder than he ever had.  

"He was on a mission to re-establish himself as a star of the game . . .”

Stewart accomplished that mission in superb style throughout his 78-game career at Tigerland.