Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes has won the 2011 Bob Skilton Medal after a brilliant season where he excelled in both the midfield and as a key forward.

It is the third time Goodes has won the coveted Bob Skilton Medal awarded to the Swans best player, but the first time for five years. He also took home the club champion award in 2003 and 2006, the same years that he won his Brownlow Medals.

Goodes took out the award on the back of an extraordinary second half of the season, where he polled votes from the coaching staff in every game from round 13 until the Swans bowed out in the semi-final against Hawthorn.

In the round 24 win over Brisbane at the SCG, he received the maximum  50 votes from the five coaching staff - a feat not achieved by any player for three years.

At 31, Goodes played some of the most exciting football of his career. He passed the 300 game milestone in the Swans’ last match of the season, and has signed to play in red and white until at least the end of 2013.

Goodes also took out the prestigious Paul Roos Award for Best Player in the Finals after strong performances against both St Kilda in the Elimination Final and Hawthorn in the semi-final, and won the Paul Kelly Players’Player Award, which is voted by his team-mates.

The night  reinforced the Swans’ ability to get the best out of players recruited from other clubs, when Rhyce Shaw and Josh Kennedy tied for second in the club champion award.

Shaw, recruited from Collingwood in 2008, and Kennedy, recruited from Hawthorn in 2009, both received 573 votes.

It was another stellar year for Kennedy, 23, who has developed into one of the top inside midfielders in the AFL. He led the Swans in contested possessions (353), clearances (168) and handballs (256). His runners-up award follows on from his third placing in the Bob Skilton Medal in 2010.

Shaw, who turns 30 next week, is one of the most versatile players at the Swans. He was used this year as a shut-down player, rebounding defender, and at times also went forward. A strong leader both on and off the field in Sydney, Shaw was also a deserving winner tonight of the Barry Round Trophy for Best Clubman.

In other Awards announced tonight:

Rising Star Award - Sam Reid

Sam Reid played 23 of the Swans’ 24 games in 2011 - including both finals - following on from his debut in round 22 last year. The boy from Bright in Victoria’s Alpine region made centre half-forward his own in 2011, with strong pack marking and agility around the ground two key features of his game. The 19-year old also received an AFL Rising Star nomination for his performance in the Swans win over Richmond in round 12.

Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved Player - Nick Smith

Nick Smith built on his 16-game 2010 season, by playing all except one of the Swans games in 2011. The 23-year old was a key cog in a consistent back six for the Swans, usually taking the opposition’s most dangerous small forward. In a season where many of the league’s livewire forwards were at their peak, Smith can lay claim to having taken the scalps of St Kilda’s Stephen Milne (in round 22 and the elimination final), Carlton’s Eddie Betts (in round 13) and Geelong’s Steve Johnson (in round 23).

Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award - Adam Goodes

For the fourth time in six years - and third year in succession - Swans co-captain Adam Goodes takes out the award which is based on the weekly votes of his senior team-mates. Goodes played all 24 games in 2011, bringing up his 300th career game in the semi final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG. He played in a variety of roles throughout the season, switching seamlessly between the midfield and the forward line as the team needed. He averaged 21 disposals, six marks and just under two goals per game to finish as the Swans’ leading goalkicker for the season with 41 goals.

Barry Round Shield for Best Clubman Award - Rhyce Shaw

During the long hot summer of pre-season training, no voice was louder in support of his team-mates on the track than Rhyce Shaw. His leadership and encouragement of his mates continued throughout the season as he played a number of important roles for the team. Since Rhyce was recruited by the Swans in 2008, he has become a member of the leadership group and is known around the Club for his selflessness, ability to lift the players, and the care he takes of others. He is always the first to welcome new players to the Club, and when it comes to organising a dinner out for the boys, Rhyce never hesitates to take on the role of social organiser.

On the field he played all 24 games in 2011, bringing up his 150th AFL game against Richmond in round 12. Shaw displayed his ability as a shut-down player at times throughout 2011, doing outstanding jobs on North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey, Brisbane’s Luke Power, and Collingwood’s Dale Thomas during the middle stages of the season. The 29-year old - for one more week - returned to his best form as a rebounding defender during the Swans winning run at the end of the season.

Paul Roos Award for the Best Player in the Finals Series - Adam Goodes

Goodes brought his stellar form at the end to the home and away season - which saw him record 13 Brownlow medal votes in the Swans last six games - into the finals series. Goodes racked up 25 possessions and two goals in the elimination final win over St Kilda. In the semi final loss to Hawthorn - which was also his 300th game - the 31-year old led from the front with 20 possessions and an equal team-high three goals.

John Yates Award for significant contribution to the promotion and development of the Sydney Swans and AFL in NSW -  Mick Clift

Mick Clift played 205 senior games with St George in the Sydney Football League (SFL) from 1982 to 1997. Clift was a decorated player and twice finished as the SFL leading goalkicker, and five times the St George leading goalkicker. Clift is a life member of St George AFC and has been employed in various roles at AFL NSW-ACT since the mid-1990s, including as a Regional Manager and coach.

Life Membership -

Jarrad McVeigh

Jarrad brought up his 150th game for the Club against the West Coast Eagles in round 3. Jarrad grew up playing football in New South Wales for Pennant Hills and NSW/ACT Rams before being drafted to the Swans with the number 5 overall pick in the 2002 AFL Draft. Jarrad and wife Clementine are currently on a well deserved break in Europe. Accepting life membership on his behalf, fellow co-captain Adam Goodes said Jarrad just wanted to play one game for the Club let alone 150. He also wanted to pass on Jarrad and Clementine's thanks to everyone for their support, messages and flowers during such a tough period.

John Payne

1997-1998 - Reserves Team Manager
1999-present - Seniors Team Manager
In 15 years continuous service, John has not missed a match including practice matches and pre-season games.
Has completed over 300 consecutive matches as Seniors Team Manager.

2012 Number 1 Ticket Holder - Philippa Power

Philippa has been a member and involved in the Club for over 50 years and will be the Swans number 1 Ticket Holder in 2012.

TOP TEN IN THE 2011 BOB SKILTON MEDAL:

1st          Adam Goodes            615

Equal 2nd   Rhyce Shaw and Josh Kennedy   573

4th          Ryan O’Keefe               542

5th          Ted Richards                523

6th          Nick Smith                    519

7th          Daniel Hannebery         488

8th          Shane Mumford            439

9th          Ben McGlynn                  411

10th        Jarrad McVeigh               396

Note: Club Champion votes were awarded by the five coaches - John Longmire, John Blakey,Leigh Tudor, Stuart Dew and Mark Stone. A player can be awarded a maximum of 50 votes per game, and coaches can allocate up to 10 points for as many or as few players as they deem appropriate, per match.