Another Bob Skilton Medallist will be crowned on Friday night, adding an extra name to an exclusive list featuring a cache of the game's all-time greats.
From Bobby Skilton to Adam Goodes, from Herbie J. Matthews to Paul Kelly, from Barry Round to Jarrad McVeigh - only the cream of the crop earn the mantle of Sydney Swans’ Club Champion.
Can Josh Kennedy continue carving his legacy at the Sydney Swans by earning his second Bob Skilton Medal? Or can Dan Hannebery stamp his name in the record books following an equally impressive performance throughout season 2015?
All will be revealed in front of esteemed guests under the shining lights of The Star's Events Centre.
What is the Bob Skilton Medal?
Named in honour of the three-time Brownlow Medallist and nine-time winner of South Melbourne’s Club Champion Award, the Bob Skilton Medal is the Sydney Swans’ most prestigious individual accolade.
Skilton, one of four Bloods Legends, played 237 games over 16 seasons and is to this day regarded as the best player to ever represent the red and white.
Formerly known as the Club Champion Award, the honour was named after Skilton in 1995.
Only one player from the current list has earned more than one Bob Skilton Medal in Jarrad McVeigh (2008 and 2013) with the retiring Adam Goodes claiming three in his time (2003, 2006 and 2011).
In 2014, Luke Parker became the youngest ever player to win the Bob Skilton Medal. The then 21-year-old polled in all but three matches to claim the prize with 758 votes ahead of Kennedy (709) and Lance Franklin (688).
How does the voting work?
Following each and every match in season 2015 (finals included), the Swans’ coaching panel awarded votes to as many or as few players as they deemed necessary.
The panel included head coach John Longmire, senior assistant Stuart Dew, midfield coach Josh Francou, defensive coach John Blakey and forwards coach Henry Playfair.
Each coach could only award a maximum of 10 votes to one particular player but the amount of players to be awarded 10, 9, 8 votes or so on was unlimited.
A player could only receive a maximum of 50 votes per round.
Is that all on offer on Friday night?
Aside from the main event there are a five additional player awards handed out at this year’s Club Champion Dinner including:
- Barry Round Shield (Best Clubman)
- Dennis Carroll Award (Most Improved)
- Paul Kelly Award (Players’ Player)
- Paul Roos Award (Best Finals Player)
- Rising Star Award
What if you can’t make it?
Sydney Swans Media will have you covered by providing a comprehensive wrap of all the award winners on top of keeping supporters up to date via the Club’s official social media channels including live Twitter posts and Facebook updates.
And, make sure you stay tuned to sydneyswans.com.au for exclusive interviews with this year’s Bob Skilton Medallist and fellow award winners.
You can also view the event live via a livestream at sydneyswans.com.au from 6.55pm.
