The GIANTS will live stream the 2021 Kevin Sheedy Medal to members and fans from 6:30pm this Thursday, September 30.

There will be a host of awards announced on the night, and GIANTS Media have taken a look at some of the contenders for this year's Kevin Sheedy Medal. 

How does the count work?

• Each game (home and away, and finals), four of the GIANTS’ coaches are able to give each player up to four votes.
• Players can receive anywhere from zero votes to 16 votes with a 16-vote game considered ‘a perfect game’.
• If two or more players are tied on the most votes at the end of the count, they will be declared joint winners of the award. 

Previous Winners:

2012 – Callan Ward
2013 – Jeremy Cameron
2014 – Shane Mumford
2015 – Heath Shaw
2016 – Toby Greene
2017 – Josh Kelly
2018 – Lachie Whitfield
2019 – Tim Taranto
2020 – Nick Haynes and Lachie Whitfield

Jacob Hopper 

Jacob Hopper took his game to new heights in 2021 and was rewarded with selection in the Therabody All Australian squad of 40.

Celebrating his 100th game milestone earlier in the year, the 24-year-old averaged career-high disposals (26.5), clearances (6.6) and inside 50s (4.4) this season.

The GIANTS Academy product polled a career-high 15 votes in the Brownlow Medal and could round off this impressive season with his maiden Kevin Sheedy Medal. 

Toby Greene

Greene’s ability to take contested marks as well as winning the ball on the ground has seen him prove to be a tough match up for the opposition while the 27-year old has also averaged more score involvements per game than any other player in 2021.

With 45 goals in 18 matches, the superstar forward was rewarded with All-Australian selection for the second time in his career. 

Greene stood up as stand-in captain in the absence of Stephen Coniglio for much of the season, and is one of the favourites to take home his second Kevin Sheedy Medal. 

Tim Taranto 

Taranto returned to his best with an impressive 2021 season, with the youngster no doubt one of the favourites to take home the Kevin Sheedy Medal for the second time in his career. 

The 23-year-old averaged 26.5 disposals, 5.3 tackles, 4.9 marks and 0.5 goals this season and polled a career-high 15 votes in the Brownlow Medal. 

After bursting onto the scene in as a midfielder, Taranto was moved forward throughout the season in the absence of Toby Greene and excelled there, kicking a career-best four goals in the 39-point win over Richmond in round 22. 

Josh Kelly

Kelly put aside speculation surrounding his future to enjoy one of the most consistent seasons of his career.

The midfielder committed his future to the club and become a GIANT for life, signing an eight-year contract extension.

The 2017 Sheedy Medallist averaged 25 disposals a game and kicked 15 goals while playing a range of positions and stepping up as acting captain. 

Lachie Whitfield 

After winning the award in 2018 and again in 2020, the former number one draft pick is an outside chance to claim his third Kevin Sheedy Medal. 

Whitfield made a belated start to the season in a round-seven win over Adelaide after a nasty collision with teammate Zach Sproule during an intra-squad match during the pre-season. 

The 27-year-old returned to play a crucial role for the GIANTS in 2021, averaging 25 disposals and 6.3 marks across the wing and half-back.

Callan Ward 

The inaugural Kevin Sheedy Medallist returned to his brilliant best in 2021. 

Joining Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto and Tom Green to form the GIANTS' core on-ball group, the 31-year-old averaged 22.7 disposals, 3.8 marks and 4.3 clearances on his way to breaking the GIANTS' games record.

Nick Haynes 

Coming off a career-best season in which he was awarded All Australian honours and was a joint winner of the Kevin Sheedy Medal, Nick Haynes continued to be a driving force out of the GIANTS' defensive half in 2021. 

The 29-year-old averaged 17.8 disposals and 7.4 marks this season whilst also mentoring the next generation of talent. 

Sam Taylor

Defender Sam Taylor earned his first ever selection in the AFL Players' Association's 22under22 team in recognition of his outstanding 2021 campaign.

Since returning to the field earlier this year, the 22-year-old has re-established himself as one of the best young defenders in the competition. He produced a career-best performance in round 21 against Geelong with 21 disposals, 10 rebound 50s and 17 intercept possessions. 

Young Guns Tipped to Poll Well

Connor Idun

Connor Idun was rewarded for his strong performance against Carlton with a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round 23.

The 21-year-old picked up 17 touches and five marks against Carlton, and kept the retiring Eddie Betts to just two goals in his final game.

The 191cm defender managed three games across his first two years before being selected in round one, 2021 and going on to play 23 out of a possible 24 games, averaging 5.4 marks and 12.4 disposals per game.

Tom Green

Rising Star nominee Tom Green (six votes) capped off his impressive 2021 season recording the first votes of his career to finish equal with Toby Greene and Whitfield in the Brownlow Medal count. 

The 20-year-old picked up his second NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after his performance against Richmond in round nine at Marvel Stadium. 

Green, who was also nominated in round four, 2020, racked up 24 disposals and kicked a goal in the GIANTS' loss to the Tigers.

The GIANTS Academy product arrived at the club via pick No.10 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft and has averaged 18.8 disposals since his debut in the opening round of the 2020 season. 

Isaac Cumming 

In 10 matches across four years at the GIANTS there was little suggestion that Isaac Cumming would become an integral part of a rejuvenated backline, but he did just that in a breakout season.

The Academy-product with sublime foot skills played every match and got better as the season went on.

Cumming’s standout performance came in the stirring victory over Geelong in round 21 (34 disposals, 18 rebounds) and he then added more intercept marks to his game with a career-high of six in each of the next two rounds.

Lachie Ash 

Lachie Ash has been a dominant force for the GIANTS since debuting in 2020 and it’s easy to forget he’s still just 20-years-old.

The 2019 number four draft pick backed up an outstanding debut season with an equally impressive 2021 season, with the youngster averaging almost 17 touches, 4.8 marks and 2.7 tackles.