what is the copeland trophy

The Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged best and fairest for Collingwood during the year. The trophy was named in honor of Ernest William "Bud" Copeland, who was the secretary of the club from 1895 to 1923, a period considered to be the most vital to Collingwoods existence. Copelands business acumen was crucial in helping the club survive the Depression of the 1890s, and thereafter in maintaining growth and operations on a secure financial footing. The Copeland Trophy was unveiled in 1932, with the best and fairest award winners from the previous five years engraved on the trophy. Along with the Copeland Trophy, the R.T. Rush Trophy is awarded to the second best and fairest player, the J.J. Joyce Trophy is awarded to the third placed player, the Jock McHale Trophy to the fourth placed player, and the Jack Regan Trophy to the fifth placed player. Josh Daicos was awarded the Copeland Trophy in 2023, becoming the ninth player to win the award.