Assistant accountant and VFL operations assistant Jack Giles has been named the third nominee of the inaugural Dean Moore Award – a Sydney Swans staff equivalent of the team’s Best Clubman.  

The news was announced by CEO Tom Harley on November 5 following the conclusion of the VFL and AFL seasons. Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Giles admitted the nomination came as a complete surprise.  

“I feel very, very lucky,” Giles said.  

“I had no idea I was going to be nominated or even expected it. To be in the same class as the other nominees is pretty special.”

Giles kicked off his career with the Sydney Swans in the consumer department while studying a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University. Naturally, Giles said he envisioned working for an accounting firm or within the ‘Big 4’. 

At the completion of his degree the Sydney Swans offered Giles a role as Graduate Accountant in the South Melbourne office. 

“I've always been someone who loves sport and that was always at the forefront of my mind. But I never thought that a commerce degree would lead into this.” 

In 2024 and during a move to Sydney, Giles accepted a position with the VFL program upon the recommendation of Executive General Manager of Football, Leon Cameron. Thus, kicking off six months of personal and professional development. Despite the challenge of weekend travel with the team, and balancing a full-time role in finance, Giles took it in his stride.  

“[The role] was one day a week-ish helping out Stephanie Maiolo (Football Operations Manager) which included travel. I took it on because I really wanted to be A, involved in football and B, do something different,” he admitted. 

“I drove to Sydney on the Saturday in March and then had my first game on the Sunday.”

Dean Moore – whom the award is named after – served as the club’s team manager in the late 1970s and managed the logistics of South Melbourne’s move to Sydney in 1981. After a stint with the then VFL, Moore returned to Sydney to replace Andrew Ireland as General Manager – Football at the end of the 2009 season. 

Giles’ willingness to take on two roles and his dedication to achieving excellence earned him the nomination, as voted by fellow staff members and the executive.  

“Working here, there are so many opportunities to do things you never thought was possible,” he said.  

“You don’t do it for any recognition. I just feel very humble to be in that position and especially in the award’s first year.” 

To be presented annually at the Sydney Swans’ AFLW Club Champion Dinner, the Dean Moore Award is a peer nominated award that will recognise a Sydney Swans staff member who has best embodied the club’s values of respect, discipline, courage, and conviction. 

The award winner will be announced on December 5, 2024.  

From our staff: 

There’s never any task too big or small that Jack’s not willing to help out with and has got one of the best attitudes of anyone that I’ve ever met. Jack has been a valuable team member not only to our finance team, but the club as a whole – we are very lucky to have him at the club. - Helena Thoma, Finance Manager

Jack has been a genuine all-rounder at the footy club who is always prepared to roll up his sleeves and chip in. Beginning with a casual administrative support role in our Melbourne office with the recruiting team, to then jumping across to work in Membership. After graduating with his Commerce Degree, he relocated to Sydney to maximise him impact and has become a valuable contributor to our Finance Team. Jack even joined the VFL Program this year with team management support and filled in for a couple of AFL matches as well. - Scott Dalby, Executive General Manager - People