The best on ground in the Sydney-Giants clash on Saturday will win the Brett Kirk Medal and the man behind the gong has lauded its significance to the red and white.

The medal originated when GWS entered the AFL in 2012 and has since been awarded at every Sydney Derby in honour of former Swans captain Brett Kirk.

It’s a tribute to the resilience of Kirk and the 241-game champion says it’s a quality the club is built on.

“Resilience is about having a never-give-up attitude and it’s something that’s been strong at our club for a long time,” Kirk said.

“There have been a lot of times throughout our history where we could have gone under and there have been so many people, whether financially, on the field or off the field, who have been able to really dig in to get us where we are today. Resilience is something that’s strong in our foundations and will continue to be driven by the leaders of our footy club.

“As a whole it’s what our leaders do and it’s what they’re trying to instil on the younger guys who come through. Early on when players walk in through the doors it’s known pretty quickly what we stand for. To survive in an AFL club you need to have courage and resilience and there’s no doubt our leaders drive it hard.”

The honour board of Brett Kirk Medal winners is streaked with many of the club’s leaders.

Captain Josh Kennedy and former co-captain Kieren Jack took out the medals in 2012 and in total Kennedy has claimed two and Jack three.

When Sydney and GWS last met in Round 17 last year, Swans forward Lance Franklin and Giants skipper Callan Ward were joint winners.

One-time premiership player Nick Malceski and vice-captains Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker are other Swans who have their names etched on the esteemed list of winners.

But while Kirk is “very proud and honoured” to have the medal named in tribute to him, he says it will take a team effort to knock off the Giants in Sydney Derby XIV at the SCG on Saturday.

“After last week we need good buy-in from our 22 and we know it’s not going to come down to one or two guys to get us over the line,” Kirk said. 

“GWS are a very talented squad that bats really deep so we will just need to get it done in the midfield and give our forwards enough supply.”