Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy has been awarded the 2012 Bob Skilton Medal after polling the highest number of votes ever recorded in the annual Club Champion vote count.
The 24-year-old collected 877 votes for the season, which was over 170 points clear of the runner-up, defender Ted Richards (705 votes).
Kennedy polled votes in every match this season, including the Swans’ three finals appearances, and recorded a ‘perfect 50’ in the club’s two meetings with Collingwood, in round 20 and in the Preliminary Final.
The midfielder’s efforts against the Pies in round 20 were among his most impressive, with Kennedy collecting 40 possessions, kicking one goal and laying eight tackles in the Swans’ eight point loss at ANZ Stadium.
Kennedy also finished the year as the AFL’s leading contested possession winner and leading clearance player and was named on the interchange of the 2012 All-Australian team.
Since moving across from Hawthorn, Kennedy has shown plenty of improvement over the last two seasons, finishing third and second place respectively in the 2010 and 2011 best and fairest counts. In just his third season at the Swans, Kennedy was also awarded the prestigious Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award, which is voted on by the playing group on a weekly basis.
Kennedy took out the Bob Skilton Medal ahead of defender Ted Richards (705 votes) and fellow midfielder Ryan O’Keefe (701 votes). Just four votes separated second and third place, following a strong finals’ campaign from O’Keefe, which saw the midfielder poll scores of 45, 50 and 40 in his three finals matches.
Richards, who was named All-Australian alongside Kennedy this year, was in career-best form, recording some key scalps against some of the competition’s best forwards.
Richards produced an outstanding performance in the Swans Qualifying Final, reducing Adelaide’s Taylor Walker’s influence, before producing another strong effort against Chris Dawes in the Swans 26-point win over Collingwood in the Preliminary Final.
The defender’s round five efforts against Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin was among his best this season, with Richards polling 45 votes in that game.
Coach John Longmire said Kennedy was a deserving winner.
“Every year we implore our players to improve and in the three seasons he has been at our Club, Josh has just kept getting better and better,” he said.
“To poll votes in every game is an outstanding achievement in itself and is testament to his consistency this season.
“Josh stood up in big games and that is a tremendous attribute. He polled a high number of votes in our win over West Coast in Perth, in two of our finals and in big games against Hawthorn and Collingwood throughout the season."
Longmire also paid to tribute to runners up Ted Richards and Ryan O’Keefe - who was also awarded the Paul Roos Award for Best Player in the finals series.
“Ted and Ryan have had tremendous seasons.
“It must be a daunting job to line up every week on a Franklin, Walker or Cloke, but Teddy has done it wonderfully all season.
“Ryan is the ultimate professional in how he prepares himself and capped of a great season with an outstanding performance in each of our finals, including the Grand Final where he claimed the Norm Smith medal,” Longmire said.
Other awards on the night included…
Rising Star Award - Alex Johnson
Swans defender Alex Johnson played every match for the Swans in 2012, including the three finals games. In just his second year at the club, the former Xavier College student has established himself as the third tall in the Swans’ defensive unit. Since debuting for the club in round 3, 2011, the 20-year-old has missed just two games and has notched up 45 games and a premiership for the Swans.
Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved Player - Lewis Jetta
In one of the more exceptional turnarounds, Lewis Jetta has improved above and beyond in 2012. Following an inconsistent season in 2011, which saw the 23-year-old miss out on the Swans finals campaign, Jetta knuckled down in the pre-season to enhance his speed, fitness and endurance which has paid back in spades this year. Jetta finished the season as the Swans’ leading goalkicker with 45 goals, and has become a dangerous asset in the team’s attacking structure. Jetta played in every game this season, including the club’s three finals matches.
Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award - Josh Kennedy
This year is the first year Kennedy has been named the Paul Kelly Players’ Player. The award, which has been won by co-captain Adam Goodes for the last three seasons, is based on the weekly votes of his senior team mates. Kennedy played every game in 2012, and was the dominant force in the Swans’ midfield. Kennedy was also the top Swan at this year’s Brownlow Medal count, with the 24-year-old notching up 19 votes for the season.
Barry Round Shield for Best Clubman - Nick Smith
Swans defender Nick Smith can often fly under the radar on game day, but the 24-year-old’s contribution to the club and his team mates has not gone unnoticed this year. Smith, who became part of the Swans’ leadership group in 2012, is known for his team-first attitude and strong work ethic.
On field this season, Smith played 22 games including all three finals, and played a vital role in containing some of the competition’s best small forwards. The former Scotch College student has established himself in the Swans defensive line-up and was at his best in last weekend’s Grand Final win, keeping Hawthorn goal sneak Cyril Rioli goalless for the match.
Paul Roos Award for Best Player in the Finals Series - Ryan O’Keefe
Ryan O’Keefe was the clear standout in the Swans finals’ campaign and averaged 33 disposals across the Swans three finals. O’Keefe was dominant in the team’s Qualifying Final win over Adelaide, collecting 37 disposals including 26 kicks. The 31-year-old stepped up the intensity in both the Preliminary Final and the Grand Final, laying 11 and 15 tackles respectively in each match. O’Keefe’s 28 disposal and 15 tackle performance earned him the 2012 Norm Smith Medal in last week’s Grand Final victory.
TOP TEN IN BOB SKILTON MEDAL
1st Josh Kennedy 877
2nd Ted Richards 705
3rd Ryan O’Keefe 701
4th Kieren Jack 686
5th Jarrad McVeigh 600
6th Nick Smith 551
7th Heath Grundy 536
8th Lewis Jetta 521
9th Craig Bird 517
10th Dan Hannebery 471
Note: Club Champion votes were awarded by the five coaches - John Longmire, John Blakey, Leigh Tudor, Stuart Dew and Henry Playfair. 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.
