SYDNEY Swans champion Brett Kirk’s massive contribution to football on and off the field has been rewarded with nominations in all four categories of this year’s AFL Players’ Association Madden Medal Awards.
The Awards recognise the achievements - both on and off the field - of this year’s AFL retirees.
Kirk has been nominated for the Football Achievement Award, Personal Development Award, Community Spirit Award and the industry’s top honour, the Madden Medal.
AFLPA General Manager - Player Relations, Ian Prendergast, said Kirk’s nominations reflected his journey to become both a great footballer and great member of the football community.
“Brett recently returned from an AFLPA-supported trip to Sri Lanka, where he learned about the healing value of sport in the formerly war-torn country,” Prendergast said.
“It’s just the latest example of Brett’s efforts to improve himself and build capacity in the footy community.”
Prendergast said on the field Kirk had consistently proven his dedication to the Club and supporters by regularly finishing in the top three of the Club's best and fairest while also juggling his duties as a father of four.
“It is this commitment to get the most out of himself and others that has earned Brett his nominations. The AFLPA wish him the very best of luck as he goes head to head with other equally impressive nominees for the Madden Medal.”
The Madden Medal is the award program’s top honour, recognising the retiring player that has contributed the most to the game and the broader community. This year it will be fought out between Brad Johnson, Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton, Ben Cousins, Brett Kirk and Warren Tredrea.
This year, a total of 16 players have been nominated across the four categories of Football Achievement, Personal Development, Community Spirit and the overarching Madden Medal.
The Football Achievement Award recognises games played, Premierships, individual awards, style of play, professionalism, leadership, development of game, advocacy on behalf of players and the legacy they leave behind.
The Personal Development Award looks at personal growth, business achievements, education and training, family support, strength in the face of hardship and/or persistence in recovery from long-term injury.
The Community Spirit Award analyses a player’s efforts to help those beyond the boundaries of the football industry. It looks at a player’s involvement in charitable organisations, participation in community development initiatives, demonstrated empathy and support for disadvantaged people.
Named after the Madden brothers, Simon and Justin, the Madden Medal was established in 2007, when football greats James Hird, Nathan Buckley, Mark Ricciuto, Glenn Archer, Anthony Koutoufides, Chris Grant, Luke Darcy and Paul Licuria all left the game at the same time.
Previous Madden Medal winners were Glenn Archer (2007), Robert Harvey (2008) and Michael O’Loughlin (2009).
The categories will be voted on by the current AFLPA Board. The Madden Medal will be held on Friday, December 3 at the Peninsula Central Pier, Docklands.
