The Charles Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal, is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the AFL during the home-and-away season, as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game. It is the most prestigious award for individual players in the AFL. It is also widely acknowledged as the highest individual honour in the game. The medal was first awarded by the VFL and was created and named in honour of Charles Brownlow, a former Geelong Football Club footballer.