SYDNEY Swans midfielder Kieren Jack has won the 2010 Bob Skilton Medal, completing a fairytale rise from budding rugby league junior to elite AFL midfielder.
 
Jack was awarded the medal for the Swans best player at tonight’s Club Champion Dinner at the Westin Hotel in Sydney.
 
The night proved vindication for the Swans bold recruiting policies, with Jack taking out the Award with a total of 553 votes ahead of two players in their first season with the Club - ruckman Shane Mumford in second place with 545 votes, and midfielder Josh Kennedy in third place with 542 votes.
 
In a standout year, Sydney born-and-raised Jack led the Club in tackles, was ranked third overall for kicks, fourth overall for disposals, third for contested possessions and second for inside 50s. He also booted 21 goals, ranking him fifth overall at the Club. 
 
Jack, 23, did not play Australian Football until he was 12, and was rookie-listed by the Swans at the end of 2006. He made his debut in 2007 and has now played 71 games for the Club.
 
Jack, who recently signed a three year deal with the Swans, developed this season from a defensive midfielder used to stop opposition players into a damaging attacking player. He was seventh in last year’s Club Champion but took his game to another level this season, particularly in the second half of the year.

Outgoing Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos paid tribute to Jack, and said while the voting was close, he genuinely believed Jack was the best player over the course of the season.

Roos said to win the Bob Skilton Medal was an amazing achievement for a player who had not grown up with a traditional AFL background.

“To be honest it was touch and go as to whether we would bring him on board to the Club,’’ Roos said.

“But this year, towards the end of the season, he really became the embodiment of the team.’’

An emotional Jack said it was a great honour and he couldn’t wait to get back into pre-season training.

“I’m really overwhelmed. Let’s carry on Brett Kirk’s legacy,’’ Jack said as he thanked his coaches and team-mates for their faith in him.
 
Mumford, 24, who finished second in the polling despite missing three games during the season, has been an extremely valuable recruit for the Club since he came from Geelong at the end of 2009. He held down the number one ruck position and impressed with his hard work at ground level, as much as his tap work.
 
Kennedy, 22, also had a stellar year after being traded to the Swans from Hawthorn at the end of 2009. Kennedy had only played 13 senior games in three seasons at the Hawks, but he became a vital part of the Swans midfield and played all 24 games this season.
 
Not only was he third in tonight’s Club Champion polling, but Kennedy also took out the prestigious Paul Roos Award for Best Player in the Finals after brilliant performances against both Carlton in the Elimination Final and the Western Bulldogs in the Semi-Final.
 
In other Awards announced tonight:
 
The Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award - Adam Goodes 
This award is based on votes cast by all 22 members of the senior team after each game.
 
Rising Star Award - Dan Hannebery
Hannebery, 19, in his second season at the Swans, also won the AFL’s Rising Star Award for 2010.
 
Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved Player - Mike Pyke
This award is decided by the Match Committee and is based on votes in 2010 compared to 2009, among other criteria.
 
Pyke, 26, played International Rugby Union for Canada before moving to Australia in 2008 to try his hand at AFL with the Swans. This year he played 18 senior games, developed his all-round game and skills, and held down the number two ruck position.
 
Barry Round Trophy for Best Clubman - Ted Richards
This award is decided by the Match Committee.
 
Richards, 27, played 14 senior games this season, for a career tally of 133. He also notched up his 100 game milestone with the Sydney Swans, after being traded from Essendon in 2005.
 
Richards spent time in the Reserves this season but always kept a positive attitude around the Club, and when he was re-called to the side he played a valuable role as a key defender.
 
Paul Roos Award for Best Player in the Finals - Josh Kennedy
This award is decided by votes from the Match Committee.
 
Kennedy had 29 possessions against Carlton in the Elimination Final, and went to Carlton superstar Chris Judd in the last quarter, effectively limiting his impact.
 
Against the Western Bulldogs he played his trademark tough in-and-under game, and was the team’s highest possession winner, with 32 disposals.

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

Life Memberships - Dr Nathan Gibbs, Stephen Taubert, Ian Woods.
 
 
TOP TEN IN THE 2010 BOB SKILTON MEDAL:
 
1st          Kieren Jack                  553
 
2nd         Shane Mumford            545
 
3rd         Josh Kennedy               542
 
4th          Jarrad McVeigh            497
 
5th          Heath Grundy               495
 
6th          Adam Goodes              464
 
7th          Nick Malceski               460
 
8th          Brett Kirk                      455
 
9th         Ryan O’Keefe                 444
 
10th       Daniel Hannebery           418
 
Note: Club Champion votes were awarded by the five coaches - Paul Roos, John Longmire, John Blakey, Peter Berbakov 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 he deems appropriate, per match.