Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney has capped off a career-best season, winning the Bob Skilton Medal as the Sydney Swans Club Champion for 2024.
It was a trio of All-Australians who lead the votes with Heeney finishing ahead of Errol Gulden and Chad Warner, who finished second and third respectively.
Heeney, Gulden and Warner were a dominant force for most of the season, with all three finishing high in the 2024 Brownlow Medal count, leading the Sydney Swans to the minor premiership, and ultimately, another Grand Final appearance.
Heeney, a QBE Sydney Swans Academy athlete, played in 24 games for the Swans this year, averaging 25 disposals and almost two goals per game in his first full season in the midfield. He polled 28 votes in the Brownlow Medal.
The 28-year-old arguably saved his best match of the season until the Qualifying Final against cross-town rivals GWS. In that match he collected 30 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and a spectacular mark.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said Heeney is a deserved winner.
“Isaac’s hard running, stoppage work and ability to finish off was as good as anyone in the competition this year,” Longmire said.
“The things we really loved about him were his hardness in the contest and his ability to lift at key moments. We as coaches marvelled at the number of times we saw him help out teammates off the ball.
“Isaac is also genuinely tough. As we saw in the back end of the season, we admired his ability to play under physical duress.”
Heeney said it was a great honour to win the Bob Skilton Medal for the first time in his career.
“It’s been an incredible year, it’s been the most fun I’ve had,” Heeney said.
“Horse had faith in me to jump in the midfield and just play my game, and obviously that comes off the back of a decent pre-season too.
“Horse just said play your game as long as it’s team focus first, and I was able to do that and play with confidence. It’s been really fun.”
Errol Gulden took home the Adam Goodes Trophy after finishing second in the count. Also a graduate of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Gulden was at his consistent best in 2024, averaging 27 disposals per game and earning another selection in the All-Australian team, making it two years in a row.
Chad Warner was awarded the Peter Bedford Trophy after finishing third. Warner earned his first All-Australian blazer in 2024 and averaged almost 24 disposals and two goals per game.
Other award winners on the night include:
Paul Kelly Player's Player: Isaac Heeney
A popular choice for players player. Heeney was outstanding in 2024 taking his game to a new level after moving into the midfield full-time.
Paul Roos Best Player in the finals: Isaac Heeney
Heeney was brilliant in both home finals which elevated his season even more. His game against the Giants at the SCG will go down as one of the great individual performances in a final.
Barry Round Best Clubman Award: James Rowbottom
Rowbottom has an undeniable team-first attitude. He averaged eight tackles per game, ranking 2nd in the league for this stat, and managed to quiet some of the best midfielders in the competition.
Dennis Carroll Award for Most Improved: Justin McInerney
McInerney is a running machine and an important link player for the Sydney Swans. He played in 20 games for the season and averaged 19 disposals. He takes out the Most Improved Award despite missing a block of football with a knee injury.
Rising Star Award: Matthew Roberts
Roberts takes out Sydney’s Rising Star Award after a breakout season which saw him play 23 games as a key pillar in Sydney’s back six. The left-footed defender earned an AFL Rising Star nomination for his performance in the Opening Round against Melbourne.
VFL Player of the Year: Caleb Mitchell
In his second season on Sydney’s list in 2024, Mitchell was extremely consistent for the VFL side, playing 16 games across half-back and the midfield. The 20-year-old made his senior AFL debut against Richmond in Round 3 at the MCG.
VFL Squad Player of the Year: Ben Edwards
Ben’s season in the VFL was outstanding, playing in 16 games and averaging 21 disposals a game.
The finishing order for the 2024 Bob Skilton Medal was as follows:
- Isaac Heeney (956 votes)
- Errol Gulden (888 votes)
- Chad Warner (813 votes)
- Brodie Grundy (750 votes)
- Nick Blakey (648 votes)
- James Rowbottom (639 votes)
- Oliver Florent (628 votes)
- James Jordon (622 votes)
- Jake Lloyd (605 votes)
- Tom Papley (576 votes)
