Josh Kennedy wins Sydney best-and-fairest for second year in a row

JOSH Kennedy has taken out the Sydney Swans’ club champion award for the second season in a row to enhance the midfielder’s reputation as arguably the AFL’s most valuable footballer.

Josh Kennedy has won Sydney’s best-and-fairest. Picture: Phil Hillyard

JOSH Kennedy has taken out the Sydney Swans’ club champion award for the second season in a row to enhance the midfielder’s reputation as arguably the AFL’s most valuable footballer.

It’s the third time overall Kennedy has claimed the Bob Skilton Medal for the Swans’ best player and remarkably the seventh consecutive time he has polled in the top three for voting.

Kennedy, who also took out the Paul Roos Award for best player in the finals, raked in a club record number of votes to pip fellow midfielder Dan Hannebery.

Despite the Swans’ Grand Final day disappointment, the race for club champion was a hot field given star Luke Parker finished second to Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield in the Brownlow Medal and giant forward Lance Franklin kicked 81 goals for the season in one of his best ever campaigns.

Swans coach John Longmire said Kennedy — also named the AFL’s inaugural Gary Ayres medallist for player of the finals — was an out-and-out champion of the competition.

“We’re just really lucky to have him,” Longmire said.

“He’s a player whose consistency since he’s been at our club has been nothing short of remarkable.

“Josh never plays a bad game. His will and competitive spirit to be able to play well in the biggest games year in, year out is quite amazing — he’s just simply one of the best big-game players there is.”

Josh Kennedy defeated a hot field to win Sydney’s best-and-fairest. Picture: Getty Images

Heath Grundy came in third, with the top five was rounded out by Parker and Franklin.

Franklin did however take out a telling award at the function, attended by almost 1000 guests at The Star last night, with the giant forward named the Paul Kelly player’s player.

There’s often been a perception of Franklin as a superstar sitting on a pile of money, but Franklin has received the ultimate endorsement from teammates illustrating what an influential clubman he has matured into.

Meanwhile, the retirements of Ted Richards and Ben McGlynn were also confirmed at last night’s event.

Hannebery was elevated to the Swans leadership group this season and responded accordingly, topping the AFL for disposals and producing his most consistent season so far.

Longmire praised his 25-year-old midfielder, who along with Kennedy, Franklin, Parker and Dane Rampe received All Australian honours in 2016.

“Dan is a player that just keeps lifting the bar for himself and others year on year, and he gives our team real energy,” Longmire said.

“He’s as hard a player as there is in the competition in a one-on-one contest, but he’s also one of the hardest runners and that’s a very difficult match-up for any opposition.

“I look forward to watching his progress next year.”

Dan Hannebery finished second in the Swans’ B&F. .Picture: Michael Klein

The Club Champion award is voted on by the five coaches in the Swans’ staff – Longmire, Stuart Dew, Henry Playfair, Josh Francou and Brett Kirk.

In other awards presented on the night, Alex Johnson was named Sydney’s best all-round clubman, Aliir Aliir the most improved and Callum Mills the Rising Star.

Richards retired with 261 games, All Australian and premiership honours to his name, while McGlynn had two grand final appearances with the Swans.

Both men were praised by coach Longmire.

“Ted absolutely epitomises what it is to get the best out of yourself. He applied his mindset to be the best defender he could possibly be and he turned out to be an All Australian premiership player,” Longmire said.

“Ben is a hard-working pressure player who has demonstrated great leadership both on and off the field. Both men have made a wonderful contribution to our football club and will be missed by all.”

Originally published as Josh Kennedy wins Sydney best-and-fairest for second year in a row