The proof is in the pudding: Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy lift for the Sydney Derby.
The duo are the only players to have won the Brett Kirk Medal, awarded to the player judged best afield in the biannual Sydney-GWS clash, more than once.
Jack has claimed three for his efforts, more than anyone else, while Josh Kennedy is a deserving two-time medallist.
Other names to have been added to the esteemed list are Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker, former Swan Nick Malceski and GWS’s Callan Ward.
It’s one of the most sought-after individual awards in Sydney, largely due to the weight and name it carries.
Brett Kirk, only a year out of the game, spoke of the honour during the medal’s official unveiling in the lead up the inaugural Sydney v GWS fixture.
“I’m very humbled by this,’’ he said. “When you leave a football club you want to leave a legacy so to have an honour like this is overwhelming.”
Medal or no medal, rest assured that legacy had already been forged and wasn’t going away any time soon.
Playing 241 games for the red and white while winning a premiership and two Bob Skilton Medals along the way will do that.
It didn’t take long for Kennedy to lay his hands on the first Brett Kirk Medal having starred in Sydney Derby I which was played in the opening round of 2012 in front of 37,000 at ANZ Stadium.
The midfielder, going into his third season at Sydney since making the cross over from Hawthorn, gathered 27 disposals and booted two goals in the 63-point win in what would be a sign of things to come.
Kirk was on hand to present the man of the moment with his award. With an embrace only former teammates can understand, Kennedy graciously accepted his new piece of silverware.
“I’d like to thank GWS,” Kennedy said to the crowd.
“I’m really feeling it at the moment, it was a really tough game. I’m sure there are plenty of positives to come out of this year for you boys.
“I’d also like to thank the supporters for getting us up and getting us over the line…hopefully this is the start of a great rivalry for many years to come.”
This week Kennedy recalled the honour of winning an award named after his former teammate.
“They’ve been special moments for me. It’s so good to have him at the Club now. He’s such a great person and great motivator too.”
Jack’s time to shine would come in Round 14 later that season when Sydney came away with a 94-point win.
And so a trend continued. Jack has bobbed up twice more (2013, 2014) while Kennedy dominated in the last outing at Spotless Stadium (2015).
Will we see a Jack or Kennedy rise again in 2016?
