Having been judged as the player your teammates respect and want by their side each week speaks volumes of Josh Kennedy and his first year as captain.
Kennedy took out the highly-prized Paul Kelly Players' Player award at this year's Club Champion Dinner for fourth time, equalling the Club record.
What began in 2001, Kennedy tops a list of some cherished clubmen players including the inaugural leader Paul Williams, Daryn Cresswell, Barry Hall, Jarrad McVeigh and fellow four-time winner Adam Goodes.
Voted on after every round of the season, the award signifies who put themselves on the line for teammates and who played their role with the team, not necessarily who got the footy more or kicked the most goals.
As the Club's new skipper, Kennedy's win consolidates his standing among his peers and reflects what a successful season it was at the helm.
If Kennedy didn't walk away with the Club Champ that evening, the midfield dynamo said this was the award you'd want your name alongside.
"Undoubtedly," Kennedy said backstage after accepting the award.
"I think anything that's voted by peers and teammates is one that you treasure. You play for the jumper, first and foremost, but second to that, you play for the guys you run out with.
"I'm very proud, I think that's the word to sum it up. Proud of myself and the proud of the team in what we've achieved this year and it's good to know my efforts were seen in good light by them.
"You play for the jumper, but second to that, you play for the guys you run out with."
The 29-year-old, who finished fourth in the Bob Skilton Medal count, took over from co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack during the off-season.
It was a slow start, with the team slumping to 0-6, but Kennedy was a catalyst for the resurgence which saw the Sydney Swans win 16 of their next 18 matches.
Captain Consistency in the past, nothing changed as Kenned juggled the added responsibility and continued to perform to his lofty standards as another member of the Swans' midfield machine with ease.
"I tried not to change too much," Kennedy said of his approach.
"One thing you focus on (as a player), I'm quite driven so you tend to have the blinkers on in terms of trying to get the best out of myself.
“To take those off and have a wider perspective on the group and the standards that are being set ... (is) probably something I can continually improve on.
"It's an incredible group, I'm really proud of the team and the way they responded to this season's challenges, that's looking at the past. The future I'm really excited for the possibilities ahead and what we can achieve if we put a good season together."
