LACHIE Whitfield has capped his remarkable debut season as a defender by winning his first Kevin Sheedy Medal as Greater Western Sydney club champion on Friday night.
Whitfield was moved to half-back during pre-season to cover the absence of Zac Williams (Achilles) and the departed Nathan Wilson, and couldn't have been more impressive in his new role, adding the Sheedy Medal to his first-time selection in last month's Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.
The 24-year-old became the Giants' seventh different winner of the best and fairest when he polled 175 votes to claim the award in a tight count ahead of co-captains Callan Ward (164) and Phil Davis (156), star midfielder Stephen Coniglio (154) – who also won the coaches' award – and athletic defender Nick Haynes (151).
He also won the Members' Choice award for player of the year.
Whitfield played every game for GWS for the first time in his six seasons in the League and led the club for kicks and marks while averaging a career-high 26.8 disposals.
Coach Leon Cameron said Whitfield's win was just reward for a brilliant season.
"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," he said.
"We always knew he was 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."
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Ward led the club for clearances and contested possessions and continued his remarkable consistency in the Sheedy Medal with a runner-up finish for the second straight season after winning the inaugural gong in 2012.
Davis, who also repeated his third-place finish of last season, was the pillar of the Giants' back half and added more offence to his game this season while blanketing some of the competition's best key forwards.
Mature-age forward Zac Langdon was named the Giants' rising star after kicking 21 goals from 21 games in his debut season after being drafted from Claremont in the WAFL, while young midfielder Tim Taranto was awarded the Giants Standards Defensive Award.
For the seventh straight year, Jeremy Cameron (46 goals from 18 games) was the leading goalkicker.
Young ruckman and potential draftee Kieren Briggs was named the club's academy player of 2018, with former Commonwealth Games decathlete Jake Stein presented with the NEAFL Development Award after a solid season in defence.
Versatile big man Adam Tomlinson won the Community Award for his tireless work as a Ronald McDonald House Ambassador.
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)
Winners of the Kevin Sheedy Medal
2017 – Josh Kelly
2016 - Toby Greene
2015 - Heath Shaw
2014 - Shane Mumford
2013 - Jeremy Cameron
2012 - Callan Ward
* The Kevin Sheedy Medal is voted on by senior coach Leon Cameron, and his assistants Brad Miller, Lenny Hayes and Mark McVeigh. Up to four votes can be awarded to a player by each coach every round, meaning each player is able to receive a maximum of 16 votes per round.
