With the annual Ian Stewart Medal up for grabs on Saturday, when Richmond and St Kilda do battle at Marvel Stadium, we’ve delved into the Tigerland archives and found the following in-depth interview with the brilliant centreman that featured in the September 1971 issue of ‘Football Life’ magazine under the heading: “A TIGER FOR MANY YEARS TO COME”. It was published just before ‘Stewie’ took out his third Brownlow Medal, in his superb debut season at Richmond . . .

“Dual Brownlow Medallist Ian Stewart made a startling revelation to Football Life this month . . . he wants to play League football until he is 35.

Most players have packed and gone, either coaching or into retirement altogether, well before this ripe old age for a League footballer.

Only the select few reach this goal. Usually failing pace, persistent injuries and waning enthusiasm block the path years before.

But the Tiger centreman, who was 28 last month, says he is far from tiring of League football – “I love the game and the atmosphere. And I am more than happy at my new club.”

The former Tasmanian, who has become one of the most highly decorated League players in the game’s history, said he had absolutely no intentions of ever playing country football.

Quite openly, he said that the lower standard of country football and the scattered attendances at games would quickly deflate his enthusiasm.

He does not want to leave the VFL – “I don’t think I’d even like playing in Western Australia or South Australia.

“The tempo and atmosphere just would not be the same.”

When Stewart was not seeing eye-to-eye with his old club, St Kilda, last year, he went to Western Australia and within an ace of signing with Claremont.

It was to be a five-year contract with an estimated fee of $48,000, It tempted him greatly, but when negotiations with Richmond were finalised, he quickly turned his back on all the WA money without regret.

Today, Stewart, a bachelor, who is a builder, still has no regrets about not going west.

“I didn’t want to go in the first place. But at the same time I thought I would probably have to go interstate if St Kilda was to clear me.

“I hadn’t been happy at St Kilda for a couple of seasons, but I never thought I’d be released to another League club. But when the Billy Barrot business started, everything turned out well for me.”

Stewart and Barrot, the former ace Tiger centreman, figured in the most sensational swap in League history.

Last October, when the shock news of Stewart was released, he said, “For the past two seasons I have not derived the pleasure and satisfaction from playing League football which I feel I should in view of my age and ambition.

“Although I am negotiating with interstate clubs, I am unhappy with the prospect of leaving League football. But, in view of the situation which has arisen at St Kilda, it is difficult for me to produce my best.”

Soon after, the Stewart-Barrot swap was completed . . . and off marched the former Tasmanian to a club that already contained two other St Kilda identities – former full-back Verdun Howell, who was coaching the Reserves, and Alan Schwab, the club secretary.

It is interesting to note that Howell was picked as the best full-back in the last 20 years in Football Life’s poll, in which press, radio and television commentators cast their votes.

In the same poll, Stewart was adjudged the best centreman.

Over the summer months the big guessing game was on . . .who got the better deal – Richmond with Stewart, or St Kilda with Barrot.

It’s history now that Barrot did not settle in at St Kilda. He played two games in the senior side, was dropped to the Reserves, and soon after figured in another major switch – this time to Carlton.

All the while Stewart was going great guns with the Tigers; commanding the centre with all his old guile. Richmond was very happy with their new import.

Midway through the season Barrot pulled on the Carlton guernsey for the first time and after a quiet beginning, really hit his straps to also strike back to the Barrot of old.

Of Barrot’s form, Stewart said: “I am glad to see him doing well. I felt for him when he wasn’t going well at St Kilda, and I’m glad he has found a niche at Carlton.”

Stewart said when he started his career with Richmond this season it was like starting his career all over again.

The fact that he won two Brownlow Medals – in 1965 and 1966 – did not count. He realised that when he went to Richmond he had to prove to them he could play football – what had happened with his past achievements was history.

“A lot of people thought that I was too injury-prone. That some of my injuries were chronic. They told me, in a nice sort of a way that I was nearing the end. I knew within myself this was all wrong, and I wanted to prove it,” Stewart said.

With the Saints he had suffered hamstring, groin and ankle injuries.

Speaking of injuries, Stewart says: “When I was at St Kilda I lost a lot of enthusiasm. Consequently I didn’t train as hard as I might have. So I wasn’t 100 per cent fit, it led to more injuries and finally to loss of confidence.”

Then Stewart mentioned he had never had a cross word with anyone since he became a Tiger.

“It’s a terrific club. I have never been happier playing football. There is something that makes Richmond a great club to be in, but I can’t put my finger on it yet.

“Roger Dean is a great leader. He seems to be typical of the club. And coach Tom Hafey has helped me a lot.

“One of Tom’s greatest attributes is that he can maintain a high enthusiasm level in players. He is very enthusiastic himself and it is definitely contagious.”

When Stewart said it was his ambition to play until he was 35, he added, jokingly: “I hope I have got some hair left by then. I would be nice and conspicuous running around with a bald head. I’d catch the umpires’ eye then – maybe get another Brownlow.”

He added that he would love to make the Victorian side for the Carnival to be played in Hobart in about six years.

Stewart, who played 130 games with St Kilda, and won the club’s best and fairest in 1964 and 1966 – they were in the years the brilliant Darrel Baldock was at the club – made it clear his best football was not behind him when he joined Richmond.

One of his biggest thrills this year was being selected in the State team, which defeated South Australia on the MCG.

It made a few people around this town eat their words. 

In fact, his form generally at midfield, has caused a few people to blush. Now he is one of the favorites to take off Richmond’s best and fairest award.

His popularity at the club is evident and it is also most evident when you speak to him that he appreciates the new environment.

Ian Harlow Stewart was born at Queenstown, and St Kilda recruited him from the Hobart club. His first VFl game was on April 20, 1963, against Melbourne.

From his very first game it was clear that Victorian football had a player in its midst who would make an indelible mark on the game.

He’s an inch under six feet tall and hasn’t a rugged frame, but there is not a more courageous player who has pulled on a boot.

He will go backwards into a thundering pack of oncoming players to take a mark . . . that is the acid test of courage.

Stewart is scrupulously fair. He has been knocked from pillar to post by tougher and rougher opponents – but only on rare occasions does he lower his colors.

His co-operation with the magical Baldock repeatedly set the Saints on fire and these two men were the major weapons behind the club’s only premiership back in 1966.

Now he wants a Richmond premiership as much as any Tiger.

Even as much as the prince of property stewards, Charlie Callander, who has been at the club since the year dot.

And for the sake of the game we hope he can go until he is 35 – this magnificent one-in-a-million player.”