Former Richmond champion centreman, Ian Stewart, has been selected in the AFL’s Multicultural Team of Champions.

Stewart, the last Tiger player to win a Brownlow Medal, was named in the centre when the team was announced at a special function today (Tuesday, July 9) at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

The team, which forms a key part of the celebrations for this week’s AFL Multicultural Round, consists of league players from 1896 to the present day, who were either born overseas, or have a parent born overseas.

Stewart, who is of Italian descent on his paternal side, won back-to-back Brownlow Medals at St Kilda and played in the Saints’ only premiership side in 1966, before subsequently enjoying considerable further success after crossing to Richmond.

He won a third Brownlow in his debut season at Tigerland in 1971, as well as the Club’s Best and Fairest that year.

Then, in 1973, Stewart played a significant role in the Tigers’ premiership triumph over Carlton.

All-up, Stewart played 78 games for Richmond and kicked 55 goals, from 1971-75.

He is a member of Richmond’s Team of the Century and was recently inducted into the Tigers’ Hall of Fame.

Also selected in the Multicultural Team of Champions was Richmond’s inaugural captain when it entered the then VFL competition in 1908, Charles Pannam, who later coached the Tigers in 1912.

Pannam, of Greek ancestry, is the grandfather of Collingwood great Lou Richards. 

He played 179 games with the Magpies and was a member of two league premiership sides there, before joining Richmond.