McVeigh, who claimed his first Bob Skilton Medal in 2008, has become the seventeenth Swans player to have won the club champion award on multiple occasions.
The 28-year-old took out this year’s vote count with 809 votes, ahead of fellow co-captain Kieren Jack (769 votes) and reigning Bob Skilton medallist Josh Kennedy (750 votes).
Speaking to SwansTV after taking out the prestigious award, McVeigh said he was humbled to be named the 2013 Bob Skilton Medallist ahead of his midfield team mates.
“It’s a massive honour and I’m very proud," McVeigh said.
“To be in such company as Kieren (Jack) and Joey (Josh Kennedy) and the other guys like Hannebery who had a great year is fantastic.
“I’m fortunate to be in front of those guys but I think we all had a really good year together."
McVeigh polled votes in all but two games in 2013 and scored two perfect 50s, in the club’s round 16 clash with GWS and again in the semi-final win over Carlton.McVeigh’s semi final performance was a career-best effort with 42 possessions, two goals and five tackles in the Swans’ 24-point win over the Blues at ANZ Stadium.
Following a disappointing loss to Hawthorn in the qualifying final the previous week, McVeigh said he was determined to bounce back in the Swans' clash with the Blues.
“I had a terrible game against Hawthorn the week before, and I think a lot of us did, and we had to step up to assert authority on (the Carlton) game and I think we did that," he said.
“Sometimes the ball falls your way and you get a lot of the ball and it was my turn that night, as it is a lot of other guys every other night, so I was fortunate that night."
“You take the perfect games but you want to be consistent as a player and as a leader and I thought I was that this year along with the other leaders.
The award caps off a sensational season for an all-round player, who also earned his first All-Australian honour this season for his role off the half-back line and brought up his 200-game milestone in round six this year.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said McVeigh had led by example in a sometimes trying year on field due to injuries.
“In a season where injuries struck down key personnel, Jarrad has been a consistent contributor all year,” Longmire said.
“Both on and off the field, Jarrad’s leadership has been outstanding. His ability to adapt at various stages of the season and go into the defence shows his versatility and ability to play his role for the team at all ends of the ground.
“Jarrad stood up in big games throughout the season and led from the front. He’s an outstanding player and co-captain and a real leader at the club.”
In addition to his Bob Skilton Medal, McVeigh also claimed the esteemed Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award, which is voted on by the Swans playing group on a weekly basis, and also tied with Josh Kennedy for the Paul Roos Award for the Best Player in the Finals.
McVeigh won the club champion vote ahead of Jack, who also enjoyed a successful season after taking over the reins from Adam Goodes as Swans co-captain in 2013.
Jack, who also received his first All-Australian honours this year, polled in all but three games and enjoyed a purple patch of form between rounds 17 and 19, including a year best 46 votes in the Swans’ round 18 win over Richmond at the SCG.
Just 19 votes behind Jack was last year’s Bob Skilton medallist, Josh Kennedy, who polled in the top three of club champion voting for the fourth consecutive year.
Kennedy scored one perfect 50 in 2013, for his 38 disposals and 12 clearances in the Swans’ round 21 win over St Kilda at the SCG and also finished the season as the league’s leading clearance player, with 189.
Rising Star Award – Dane Rampe
A season-ending injury to last year’s Rising Star Award winner, Alex Johnson, created an opportunity for Sydney Swans rookie Dane Rampe, who was fast-tracked into the senior side in round one after a strong pre-season.
Since making his debut, Rampe went on to play 23 games for the year and established himself as one of the club’s up-and-coming talents.
The 23-year-old, who was born and raised in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, enjoyed a number of standout games in his debut year, including 20 possessions against the Western Bulldogs in round 19 and 15 possessions and 12 one per-centers against St Kilda in round 21.
The Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved Player – Luke Parker
After an injury interrupted 2012 season, young midfielder Luke Parker enjoyed his most consistent season to date in 2013.
A regular recipient of the green substitute vest throughout last year’s finals campaign, the 20-year-old avoided the vest all season and played all 25 matches for the club this year.
Parker also became a dangerous forward option for the Swans and finished the season with 22 goals, including a three-goal haul in the Swans’ semi-final win over Carlton.
This year also marked Parker’s first top-10 placing in the Bob Skilton Medal count, with the third-year player finishing in sixth place with 542 votes.
The Barry Round Shield for Best Clubman – Jude Bolton
After winning back-to-back awards in 2005 and 2006, Swans veteran Jude Bolton has taken out his third Barry Round Shield for Best Clubman.
In his final season, Bolton played all but one game and became the Swans’ finals record holder having played his 26th career final in this year’s preliminary final loss to Fremantle at Perth’s Patersons Stadium.
Known for his hardness at the ball as well as his positive demeanour, Bolton has been a popular figure at the Swans since he joined the club 15 seasons ago and has been a strong role model on and of field.
Bolton has served as an influential mentor to some of the club’s young midfielders and this year took charge of Tom Mitchell and Brandon Jack, who both made their AFL debuts in 2013.
The Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award – Jarrad McVeigh
This year is the first year Jarrad McVeigh has taken out the Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award. The award, which has been won four times by Adam Goodes since its inception in 2001, is based on weekly votes from the Swans’ senior team.
McVeigh played every game in 2013, beginning as an attacking midfielder before injuries forced a move onto the half-back line.
Paul Roos Award for Best Player in a Finals Series – Josh Kennedy & Jarrad McVeigh
Jarrad McVeigh and Josh Kennedy have tied for the Paul Roos Award for Best Player in a Finals Series.
Both players were influential in this year’s finals campaign, with McVeigh posting a perfect 50 for his 42-possession, two-goal performance in the Swans’ 24-point semi final win over Carlton at ANZ Stadium, while Kennedy was again among the club’s most consistent throughout September, polling votes in all three finals.
Kennedy’s best individual finals performance was his 29 touches and 10 clearances in the qualifying final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.
2013 BOB SKILTON MEDAL TOP TEN
1st Jarrad McVeigh 807
2nd Kieren Jack 769
3rd Josh Kennedy 650
4th Dan Hannebery 634
5th Ryan O’Keefe 625
6th Luke Parker 542
7th Ted Richards 483
8th Craig Bird 479
9th Nick Smith 453
10th Nick Malceski 443
