The Coleman Medal is awarded yearly by the AFL to the player who kicks the most goals in the home and away season. It is named after John Coleman, the former Essendon full-forward whose career of 537 goals in 98 games was cut short by injury. Although only instituted in 1981, retrospective Coleman Medals were presented in 2004, dating back to 1955 which was the first season after Coleman's retirement. Winners prior to that were retrospectively awarded Leading Goalkicker Medals. Collingwood forward Dick Lee has led the league in goalkicking a record seven times.
| Year | Leading Goalkicker Medallist |
|---|---|
| 1898 | Archie Smith 31 |
| 1900 | Archie Smith (tied) 21 |
| 1903 | Ted Lockwood 35 |
| 1905 | Charlie H. Pannam 38 |
| 1907 | Dick Lee 47 |
| 1908 | Dick Lee 54 |
| 1909 | Dick Lee 58 |
| 1914 | Dick Lee 57 |
| 1916 | Dick Lee 48 |
| 1917 | Dick Lee 54 |
| 1919 | Dick Lee 56 |
| 1926 | Gordon Coventry 83 |
| 1927 | Gordon Coventry 97 |
| 1928 | Gordon Coventry 89 |
| 1929 | Gordon Coventry 124 |
| 1930 | Gordon Coventry 118 |
| 1933 | Gordon Coventry 108 |
| 1938 | Ron Todd 120 |
| 1939 | Ron Todd 121 |
| 1946 | Des Fothergill 63 |
| Year | John Coleman Medallist |
|---|---|
| 1958 | Ian Brewer 73 |
| 1972 | Peter McKenna 130 |
| 1973 | Peter McKenna 86 |
| 1986 | Brian Taylor 100 |
Leading goalkickers at the end of finals but not at the end of the home and away season (finals goals in brackets).
| Year | Leading Goalkickers (at end of finals) |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Dick Lee 58 (13) |
| 1913 | Dick Lee 66 (5) |
| 1915 | Dick Lee 64 (4) |
| 1937 | Gordon Coventry 72 (16) |
