It's that time of the year where we cast our predictions and throw up a few names who we think will feature heavily in the Bob Skilton Medal.
Will the midfielders steal votes from one another? Can Lance Franklin be the first since Barry Hall to win a Club Champion? Or, can a defender fly under the radar?
On a side note, Kurt Tippett would have featured in this discussion if it wasn't for his recent injury in which the ruckman will miss at least eight games and eight weeks of crucial votes.
Favourites
Josh Kennedy
Josh Kennedy has won two Club Champion awards already and will go close to winning a third going by his current trajectory.
Despite limited pre-season training, Kennedy was a standout in the first half of the season. While quiet in patches, his ability to flick the switch and influence games is an extraordinary trait.
Disposals wise he’s averaging (29.58 per game), only a smidgen under the level which won him last year’s coveted award, with many of those well-earned.
The 28-year-old ranks third in the competition for contested disposals (16.3), which would please the coaches, and there’s no one better at clearing stoppages (4.7).
Dan Hannebery
Runner-up to Kennedy in last year’s count, Dan Hannebery has burst out of the blocks to be considered one of the early favourites for the award.
The pre-season promotion to the leadership group hasn’t held him back with the gutsy midfielder on track for a career-best season, averaging more than 31 disposals per game to date.
Only Fremantle’s Lachie Neale and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield have collected more disposals than Hannebery across the competition, with almost exactly half contested which says the 25-year-old is relishing the transition to an inside role.
Both Kennedy and Hannebery have been a formidable pair around ball-ups, with the latter ranked fifth in the competition for stoppage clearances (5.5).
Luke Parker
An overwhelming favourite this time last year, Luke Parker’s chances of a second Bob Skilton Medal was quelled by a season ending injury in Round 20.
Fast forward six months and the 23-year-old is well on the way to challenging the front runners.
Despite having a quiet fortnight by his lofty standards, Parker is averaging a career-best 26 disposals a game thus far and is setting himself for an even bigger finish to the season.
He ranks ninth in the competition for contested disposals (13.8), while he’s also thereabouts in stoppage clearances (13th, 3.5) and tackles (18th, 6.5).
It’s a two-horse race for the best tackler at the Sydney Swans with Parker (85 in total) just behind Tom Mitchell (88).
Lance Franklin
Could Lance Franklin become the first full-forward since Barry Hall in 2004 to win a Bob Skilton Medal?
According to the numbers, the 29-year-old is a strong chance. He’s enjoying his best season since winning both the Peter Crimmins Medal (Hawthorn’s equivalent) and Coleman Medal back in 2008.
Not only is Franklin leading the Coleman Medal race to date (47 goals) but he’s bringing teammates into the game, ranked number one in the competition for scoring involvements (9.3) and second for inside 50s (72).
The race to the Coleman is one thing but if ‘Buddy’ can maintain or improve on his current 3.5 goal average – and enjoy a few days out in front of goal – there’s nothing keeping him from throwing his name in the mix come the Club Champion Dinner.
Roughies
Tom Mitchell
Last year’s most improved and that form hasn’t wavered with Tom Mitchell now very much engrained within the Sydney Swans’ midfield.
Averaging a tick under 29 disposals per game in season 2016, Mitchell’s outstanding year has seen him receive the plaudits.
The 23-year-old won the inaugural Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal for his career-high 41-disposal performance against North Melbourne in Round 10.
Kieren Jack
Kieren Jack has led from the front both as co-captain and an elusive ball-winner within the Sydney Swans’ A-grade midfield.
Third in last year’s count, Jack has continued his strong form by averaging 22 disposals per game going into the bye.
After winning a career-high 35 possessions in Round 1 against Collingwood, the 28-year-old has been a consistent performer to sit sixth for average disposals and third for most tackles (79) at the Swans.
Dane Rampe
Always difficult for defenders to win best and fairest awards, hence why we’ve placed both Dane Rampe and Heath Grundy as roughies for the prize. But saying that, the coaches would have liked what they’ve brought to the table in 2016.
Rampe’s season has been outstanding, to say the least, with the 26-year-old flourishing in his new role as a leader and holding his own often against taller opponents.
He averages more than 17 disposals but more crucially is ranked number one at the Swans for rebound 50s and one percenters, while only good mate Lance Franklin has out-marked him, which makes him an outsider but worthy contender for the Bob Skilton Medal.
Heath Grundy
Heath Grundy goes about his business with no fuss or fanfare, but more often than not gets the job done against the best forwards in the competition. Season 2016 has been a great example.
One of the newest members of the leadership group but one of the most experienced, and it’s this know-how which is serving the 200-gamer well.
He ranks second in one percenters, third for marks and third for rebound 50s and shows no signs of giving an inch as we enter the second half of the season.
