The Kirk–Ward Medal, formerly known as the Brett Kirk Medal, is awarded to the player deemed to be the best player on the ground after the Sydney Derby, contested between and . It is named after Sydney AFL premiership player Brett Kirk—born and raised in country New South Wales and played junior football for North Albury—, and inaugural GWS Giants player Callan Ward—the club's first Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2012 and co-captain between 2012 and 2019.
The medal is not awarded if the two teams meet in a final, as has been the case four times. There was a draw for the medal in the 13th installment of the rivalry in 2017, with Lance Franklin and Callan Ward sharing the medal. Ward (XIII) and Franklin (XX) are the only players to win the medal in losing teams.
Winners Players highlighted in green are current players for either club. Year Match Medalist Team2012 Sydney Sydney2013 (2) Sydney Sydney2014 GWS (3) Sydney2015 Sydney (2) Sydney2016 Sydney GWS2017 GWS Sydney (2) GWS2018 Sydney (2) Sydney2019 GWS GWS2020 (2) Sydney 2021 (3) Sydney (3) Sydney2022 (4) Sydney (5) Sydney2023 GWS Sydney2024 (2) Sydney (3) Sydney2025 Sydney GWS2026 Sydney (4) Sydney
NOTE: No medal was awarded in Sydney Derby XI, Sydney Derby XVI, Sydney Derby XXII or Sydney Derby XXIX due to those matches being finals matches.
Most wins Number Player Team Medals5 Sydney (2016)XIX (2020)XXI (2021)XXII, XXIV (2022)4 Sydney (2023)XXVII, XXVIII (2024)XXXIII (2026)3 Sydney (2017)XV (2018)XX (2021)3 Sydney (2012)III (2013)VI (2014)2 Sydney (2012) VII (2015)2 GWS (2014) XIII (2017)
See also
Sydney Derby (AFL) Showdown Medal Glendinning–Allan Medal Marcus Ashcroft Medal
References