Star midfielder turned All Australian half-back Lachie Whitfield has capped off a stunning season, tonight taking home the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the GIANTS’ 2018 Club Champion.
Following his first Virgin Australia AFL All Australian selection last month, the former number one draft pick earned the club’s highest individual honour in his sixth season.
The award completes a remarkable season by the 24-year-old who, until this year, had never played in defence.
Inaugural coach and Life Member Kevin Sheedy was on hand at the Hyatt Regency on Friday night to present Whitfield with the award named after him.
Whitfield took out the top honour with 175 votes, ahead of co-captains Callan Ward (164) and Phil Davis (156) with vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (154) and defender Nick Haynes (151) rounding out the top five.
Coach Leon Cameron paid tribute to Whitfield’s win.
“Lachie’s had a simply outstanding season and his first Kevin Sheedy Medal is a deserved reward,” Cameron said.
“We challenged him this season, almost out of necessity, with his determination and professionalism shining through as he attacked his move to half-back with enthusiasm.
“We’ve always known he’s an incredibly hard working and skilful player but what he’s been able to achieve this season is nothing short of remarkable.
“We’re proud of the player and person he’s become and look forward to his continued development over the coming seasons.
“I’d also like to congratulate co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis and vice-captain Stephen Coniglio on their performances as they led us brilliantly during a challenging season and exemplified the hunger and determination we need to take this club where we want to go.
“And to see Nick Haynes cap off an exemplary year with his first top-five finish in the Kevin Sheedy Medal is a fantastic result.”
Whitfield excelled with the new responsibility as he moved to defence, averaging 26.8 disposals, 6.7 marks, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 tackles per game.
His attacking game wasn’t lost either, sending the ball inside 50 on average 3.7 times per game, while kicking six goals.
It was an exciting vote count early with Davis flying out of the blocks to lead after five rounds, closely followed by Coniglio. Second-year midfielder Tim Taranto had an impressive four-week block to be hot on Davis’ heels by the end of round nine, just ahead of Coniglio, Haynes and then Whitfield.
Whitfield made his move in the middle part of the year to share the lead with Ward come the end of round 14 and from there Whitfield was never headed, leading for the entire second half of the season, although Ward made a late charge to finish just two votes behind.
Six perfect scores of 16 votes were given out across the season with Haynes first to earn the full amount in round four against Fremantle. Both Jeremy Cameron and Josh Kelly couldn't be faulted in round 12 against the Suns while Kelly earned another perfect score in round 20 against Carlton.
Davis earned 16 votes for his performance on Lance Franklin in the Elimination Final while Toby Greene also picked up the full votes in the same game.
Earlier in the night, Chairman Tony Shepherd addressed the room of more than 500 guests.
“We didn’t quite make it to the last Saturday in September this year, which is bitterly disappointing for a club like ours that has the highest of standards,” Mr Shepherd said.
“However, it’s important for us to acknowledge a third straight finals appearance as a wonderful achievement considering the challenges our playing group overcame in 2018.
“We reached 25,000 members for the first time in our short history and our corporate support has continued to grow; and I might also add that there are a number of exciting partnership announcements still to come.
“This year our AFLW and GIANTS Netball teams both had impressive second seasons and continue to form key pillars of our club.
“As we come to the end of the season, everyone connected with the GIANTS should be excited about the direction the club is heading in, with 2019 already shaping up as another big year.”
Along with the Kevin Sheedy Medal, Whitfield also won the Members Choice Award, presented by Groupon and voted on by the club’s record membership base.
Mature-age draftee Zac Langdon won the Rising Star Award after 21 games in his first season while last year’s Rising Star, Taranto, took home the GIANTS Standards Defensive Award in just his second season.
Under-18 All Australian ruckman Kieren Briggs was named the GIANTS Academy Player of the Year, presented by Westfund, while former Commonwealth Games decathlete Jake Stein was presented with the NEAFL Development Award in his second season at the GIANTS.
Adam Tomlinson took home the Community Award, presented by GIANTS Care, for his dedication to helping others through his role as a Ronald McDonald House Westmead Ambassador while Coniglio also added the coveted Coaches Award to his fourth-place finish.
Harry Himmelberg won the Virgin Australia Mark of the Year for his effort running back with the flight of the ball against the Swans in round 22 while Josh Kelly was awarded the Toyo Tires Goal of the Year for a brilliant finish on his left foot from a tight angle against the Suns in round 12.
For the seventh successive season, Jeremy Cameron was the club’s leading goal kicker with 46 goals in his 18 games.
The night also saw GIANTS co-major partner Virgin Australia surprise a table of the club’s most loyal fans with a Big Seat Upgrade. The lucky winners each received two return economy airfares to either Hong Kong or Los Angeles.
The Kevin Sheedy Medal is voted on by Coach Leon Cameron as well as his Assistant Coaches Mark McVeigh, Brad Miller and Lenny Hayes. 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.
2018 Kevin Sheedy Medal Top 10
1 Lachie Whitfield (175 votes)
2 Callan Ward (164)
3 Phil Davis (156)
4 Stephen Coniglio (154)
5 Nick Haynes (151)
6 Dylan Shiel (130)
7 Adam Tomlinson (117)
8 Tim Taranto (114)
9 Josh Kelly (111)
10 Jacob Hopper, Jeremy Cameron, Heath Shaw (107)
Award Winners
Rising Star Award
Zac Langdon
GIANTS Academy Player of the Year, presented by Westfund
Kieren Briggs
Community Award, presented by GIANTS Care
Adam Tomlinson
GIANTS Standards Defensive Award
Tim Taranto
NEAFL Development Award
Jake Stein
Members Choice Award, presented by Groupon
Lachie Whitfield
Virgin Australia Mark of the Year
Harry Himmelberg (round 22 v Swans)
Toyo Tires Goal of the Year
Josh Kelly (round 12 v Suns)
GIANTS Leading Goal Kicker
Jeremy Cameron (46 goals)
Coaches Award
Stephen Coniglio
Past winners of the Kevin Sheedy Medal:
2017 - Josh Kelly
2016 - Toby Greene
2015 - Heath Shaw
2014 - Shane Mumford
2013 - Jeremy Cameron
2012 - Callan Ward
