The GIANTS will crown their club champion with the awarding of the Kevin Sheedy Medal on Friday night.
With the GIANTS finishing fourth on the AFL ladder and breaking numerous records on and off the field, there are many candidates to take the medal home this year.
We look at the GIANTS who could claim the medal for the first time and those GIANTS who could take home their second Sheedy Medal.
Heath Shaw
Does back-to-back All Australian selection equal back-to-back Kevin Sheedy Medals for defender Heath Shaw? The 30-year-old was again outstanding for the GIANTS in 2016, with his intercept marking, run off the half back and elite kicking efficiency certain to catch the eye of the coaches. Shaw averaged 24.1 disposals and 7.6 marks per game. Shaw led the team in bounces with 70, well ahead of second placed Tom Scully with 32 and registered 188 defensive rebounds. Should poll well from round three to round 13 and would be stiff to go a game without polling at least a vote.
Toby Greene
A move from the midfield to the forward line paid GIANT dividends for Toby Greene in 2016, with the 23-year-old selected at left half-forward in the All Australian Team. Greene finished second in the club’s goal-kicking with 44 majors including five in his two finals and averaged 21.2 disposals per game. One of the leading score assist players in the AFL, Greene is almost certain to poll at least a vote between rounds four and 14, and again between rounds 17 and the Preliminary Final.
Stephen Coniglio
Coniglio’s 2016 season was a reflection of the GIANTS as a whole; markedly improved. Unlucky to not be named in the All Australian side, Coniglio was selected in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22under22 side and polled the most Brownlow Medal votes for the GIANTS with 17. Coniglio averaged 28 disposals in 2016, was second in clearances with 129 and second only to Shane Mumford in tackles with 129. Should poll well between rounds four and 11, and again between round 13 and 21.
Shane Mumford
If there was one word to describe Shane Mumford in 2016 it would be consistency. The rough and tough ruckman registered 799 hit-outs and laid a massive 133 tackles. Outstanding when it came to putting in one per centers, Mumford was a vital cog in the GIANTS machine that won its way to a maiden Preliminary Final. Should poll consistently across the season, will be close to getting a perfect game in rounds 18 and 20.
Callan Ward
If the co-captain was in a court of law, he’d certainly have a compelling case to win a second Sheedy Medal. Averaging 23 disposals per game, Ward lead the way in clearances, finished second in contested possessions, registered 109 tackles, finished third for hit-outs and kicked 16 goals. Another GIANT nominated for All Australian - and unlucky to miss out – Ward should poll well across the season and never finished outside the top three at the end of the count.
Tom Scully
Scully’s tackling pressure (fourth with 103), ability to find the ball (averaged 24.5 disposals) and send it inside fifty (second in the club with 111 inside 50’s) could see him claim his maiden Kevin Sheedy Medal. Scully’s elite running capacity was put to good use on the wing as was able to creep forward and kick 23 goals. Will poll well from rounds one to five, and again between round 14 and 23.
Nick Haynes
Alongside Heath Shaw and co-captain Phil Davis, Haynes was outstanding in the GIANTS backline throughout 2016. His intercept marks, often going back with the flight of the ball, were a sight to behold as he finished fourth in the club for marks. Haynes averaged 17 disposals per game and was one of the GIANTS best rebound defenders. Didn’t miss a game after round six and should poll consistently.
Dylan Shiel
Alongside Coniglio and Ward, Shiel was an influential figure in the GIANTS’ midfield throughout the year. His stats are near identical to Coniglio, averaging 27.7 disposals, finished third in clearances, laid 84 tackles and kicked 13 goals. Shiel led the way for uncontested possessions with 392, while his run and vision was unparalleled at times. Like Ward, Coniglio and Greene, it’s tough to see him going without votes throughout the season.
Zac Williams
Like Coniglio, Williams’ 2016 season reflected the GIANTS’; it was a breakout year. His run off the half-back line was a captivating as he recorded 60 rebounds and averaged 20 disposals. Of his 456 disposals, 303 were uncontested as his team-mates looked to exploit his run and carry. Expect Williams to poll well in rounds five, eight, 13, 14, 17, 19 and 20.
Josh Kelly
Another midfielder who had a breakout year, Kelly didn’t go unnoticed as he picked up the first Brownlow Votes in his career. Kelly averaged 23.5 disposals and was second for inside 50’s with 102, while kicking 14 goals himself. Having not missed a game, Kelly will poll well from round five to eight and again from round 10 to 18.
Phil Davis
The co-captain was outstanding when it came to one per centers in 2016 and winning battles with opposition key forwards. Davis managed to rebound from defense 60 times while registering a club-high 181 one per centers. Given his consistency and major scalps during the GIANTS’ winning streaks throughout the year, he should poll well.
How the voting works
Four coaches award votes to as many players as they see fit on a scale of one to four, with five being the highest score possible. A Perfect game would see a player earn 16 votes. A coach can award votes to every player or no players for any given day. The votes are tallied up with the player being awarded the Kevin Sheedy medal.
Previous Kevin Sheedy Medal winners
2015 – Heath Shaw
2014 – Shane Mumford
2013 – Jeremy Cameron
2012 – Callan Ward
