Young star midfielder Josh Kelly has tonight capped off an outstanding 2017 season, taking home the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the GIANTS’ 2017 Club Champion.
Following his first Virgin Australia All Australian selection last month, the recently re-signed 22-year-old has earned the GIANTS’ highest individual honour in just his fourth season.
Inaugural coach Kevin Sheedy was on hand at The Waterview in Sydney Olympic Park on Friday night to present the award named after him.
Kelly led the count after round 12 and never relinquished his lead, finishing with a club-record 198 votes. The young star scored votes in every game he played with the highlight coming in round 22 when he polled 16 votes - the maximum possible under the voting system.
Kelly finished 26 ahead of co-captain and 2012 Kevin Sheedy Medallist Callan Ward on 172 votes. Fellow co-captain Phil Davis (153 votes), 2017 Virgin Australia All Australian Dylan Shiel (152 votes) and running machine Tom Scully (137 votes) rounded out the top five.
Kelly took his game to a new level in 2017, missing just one game for the GIANTS and emerging as one of the competition’s elite midfielders.
Equal-10th in the competition for tackles after 23 rounds of the Premiership season, Kelly averaged almost 30 disposals and over six tackles a game while kicking 19 goals. He had nine or more tackles on eight occasions throughout the season and averaged more than 11 contested possessions a game in just his fourth year in the competition.
GIANTS Coach Leon Cameron acknowledged Kelly’s outstanding season.
“Josh should be immensely proud of the season he has put together and this honour is well-deserved,” Cameron said.
“There’s no doubt Josh took his game to a new level this year playing a variety of roles and playing with a high level of consistency.
“He was part of our leadership group for the first time this year and everyone at the GIANTS admires his dedication to the club and playing group.
“I congratulate Josh on everything he’s achieved this season and look forward to him continue to grow in the coming years.”
Earlier in the night, Chairman Tony Shepherd AO told the 500 guests that there was plenty to be proud of after an outstanding 2017 season.
“This year saw us once again make big strides both on and off the field and saw us cement our position as one of the most dynamic teams, and indeed organsiations as a whole, in the AFL,” Shepherd said.
"This year obviously saw us finish in the top four and return to the Preliminary Final stage for the second consecutive time, and while we were once again pipped by the eventual Premiers, we can hold our heads high knowing this is a strong result for a club in just its sixth AFL season.
"And while we have a culture that doesn’t seek to invoke excuses, it would be plainly wrong to not acknowledge the many challenges we faced – and stared down – across the season.
"I’m pleased to say that in the face of adversity we seemed to fight even harder, living up to our own creed of never surrendering.”
Along with the Club Champion award, Kelly also took out the Members and Fans Most Valuable Player, presented by Toyo Tires.
First-year midfielder Tim Taranto took home the club’s Rising Star Award, presented by FlexiGroup, while fellow draftee Isaac Cumming was rewarded for a consistent NEAFL season with the Development Award, presented by ACT Government.
Veteran ruckman Shane Mumford was awarded the GIANTS Standards Defensive Award, presented by ACT Government, for the second successive season while fellow ruck and popular team man Dawson Simpson was awarded the EFEX Coaches Award.
It was a three-way tie for the GIANTS Leading Goal Kicker, presented by Dyldam, with Jeremy Cameron awarded the honour for the sixth season in a row. Cameron was joined on 45 goals by Toby Greene and Jonathon Patton.
Greene also took home the Virgin Australia Mark of the Year for his high-flying effort in round one while Stephen Coniglio’s superb snap from the pocket against the Demons was rewarded with the Toyo Tires Goal of the Year.
Former GIANT Tom Downie, who retired in May to deal with mental health issues, was awarded the club’s Community Award, presented by GIANTS Care, for his dedication and effort in helping others since stepping away from football.
The Kevin Sheedy Medal is voted on by Coach Leon Cameron as well as his Assistant Coaches Amon Buchanan, Lenny Hayes and Mark McVeigh. Up to four votes are able to be awarded to a player by each coach every round with each player able to receive a maximum of 16 votes per round.
2017 Kevin Sheedy Medal Top 10
- Josh Kelly (198 votes)
- Callan Ward (172 votes)
- Phil Davis (153 votes)
- Dylan Shiel (152 votes)
- Tom Scully (137 votes)
- Zac Williams (134 votes)
- Jeremy Cameron (131 votes)
- Toby Greene (130 votes)
- Heath Shaw (114 votes)
- Lachie Whitfield (112 votes)
Award Winners
2017 Rising Star Award, presented by FlexiGroup
Tim Taranto
2017 GIANTS Academy Player of the Year
Nick Shipley
2017 Community Award, presented by GIANTS Care
Tom Downie
2017 GIANTS Standards Defensive Award, presented by ACT Government
Shane Mumford
2017 NEAFL Development Award, presented by ACT Government
Isaac Cumming
2017 Members and Fans Most Valuable Player, Presented by Toyo Tires
Josh Kelly
2017 Virgin Australia Mark of the Year
Toby Greene (Round one v Adelaide)
2017 Toyo Tires Goal of the Year
Stephen Coniglio (Round 20 v Melbourne)
2017 GIANTS Leading Goal Kickers, presented by Dyldam
Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene, Jonathon Patton (45 goals)
2017 EFEX Coaches Award
Dawson Simpson
Former winners of the Kevin Sheedy Medal:
2016 - Toby Greene
2015 - Heath Shaw
2014 - Shane Mumford
2013 - Jeremy Cameron
2012 - Callan Ward
