The medal awarded to the Best on Ground player during the AFL Sydney Derby will now be known as the Kirk-Ward Medal, bearing the names of GWS GIANTS great Callan Ward and Sydney Swans legend Brett Kirk to honour both clubs’ icons of the game.
Since 2012 when the Sydney Derby was first established, the Brett Kirk Medal was bestowed to the best player on the ground in honour of the Swans hero.
Now on the eve of the Sydney Derby XXXII, the Swans and GIANTS have agreed for the medal to carry Kirk and Ward’s names, honouring the contributions of both clubs’ legends of the game.
Considered one of the most influential figures in the GIANTS’ young history, Ward joined the club for their debut season in 2012 and was soon named an inaugural co-captain alongside Phil Davis – a role he served until 2019.
Ward is forever etched in the GIANTS’ history books as the club’s first-ever goal kicker, first club champion and all-time games record holder. He retired from the game last year, closing a remarkable 18-year career that spanned 327 games, and the honour of the AFL’s Most Courageous Player as voted by his peers in 2018.
Ward said he was honoured by the tribute.
“Playing in the derbies was always something I’d pencil in as soon as the fixture came out. As players we absolutely loved everything about it – the build-up, the competitiveness, the rivalry, the contest,” said Ward.
“To have anything named in my honour is truly humbling and I feel so grateful to Brett Kirk, the GIANTS, the Sydney Swans football clubs and of course the AFL.
“I played against Brett for three years at the start of my career and always loved the opportunity to come up against such a tough competitor. To now be able to share a medal with him is something I never imagined, and something I am very proud of.
“Building the game of AFL in Sydney, and in particular Western Sydney, has been one of the most important things about arriving at the club in its infancy, and the derby games has always drawn a lot of attention because of the way the game is played between both teams. It’s always a great spectacle and both teams obviously want to win – it really does feel like a finals like atmosphere.”
Ward lends his name to the award alongside Swans legend Kirk, who has been honoured as the medal’s namesake since the inception of the Sydney Derby when the GIANTS joined the AFL.
A 2005 Premiership Player and for the Swans, Kirk played 241 games and kicked 96 goals for the red and white.
Kirk was named All-Australian in 2004, before serving as co-Captain from 2006 to 2010. He was also honoured with the club’s Best and Fairest award twice in 2005 and 2007.
“I’m extremely honoured that someone of the calibre of Wardy has joined me on the medal. I think he’s the ideal representative from the Giants,” Kirk said.
“Having watched him play for many years I always admired Wardy’s toughness and his ability to put the team first. He has always lead from the front and has been a great role model for his club.”
Kirk has worked with the Sydney Swans since his retirement in several roles and is the current Head of Wellbeing and Player Development.
Ward has also continued his legacy in orange and charcoal, serving as a Business and Football Advisor at the GIANTS.
The medal was last claimed by GIANTS star midfielder Finn Callaghan in the last Sydney Derby clash at ENGIE Stadium during the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
The Kirk-Ward Medal will be presented under its new name for the first time tomorrow when the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS meet for the Sydney Derby XXXII under Friday night lights at the SCG.
For tickets to the Sydney Derby XXXII click HERE or watch live on Channel 7, Kayo and Fox Footy from 7.30pm.
