Ryan O'Keefe wins B&F

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ALMOST a year after looking to be traded from the Sydney Swans, midfielder Ryan O’Keefe has won the club's best and fairest, the Bob Skilton Medal.

O'Keefe was presented with the medal on Friday night at Darling Harbour’s Convention Centre, earning 528 points and finishing ahead of Rhyce Shaw (453 points) and co-captain Brett Kirk (421).

O’Keefe was the big name player during trade week last year, with a deal attempted to make a switch with Hawthorn. In the end the Hawks and Swans could not agree to terms and O'Keefe remained a Swan.

Heading into the 2009 season, he signed a four-year contract and made a move from the forward line to play a role in the midfield.

Shaw's effort to finish second in his first year with the club was also impressive.

At the halfway point of the season Kirk was leading the way, with Darren Jolly in second and O’Keefe and Shaw behind by only one point in equal third position. O’Keefe scored almost 80 points more than Shaw and over 100 points more than Kirk and Jolly in the second half of the season to take the 2009 honours.

O’Keefe polled in 19 of the 22 games played in 2009, and his highest score was in round 14 against North Melbourne at the SCG, earning 45 points out of a possible 50. No player scored higher than 45 points for a game this season.

It is the first time O’Keefe has been named club champion; his previous best was in 2006 when he placed equal second. Last season the 28-year-old finished fifth.

O’Keefe made his debut for the Swans in 2000 and has since played 186 games and kicked 191 goals.

In 2009, the hard-running midfielder was second to Shaw in disposals for the season and third for tackles behind Kirk and Jude Bolton.

FINAL VOTES
1. Ryan O'Keefe 528 points
2. Rhyce Shaw 453 points
3. Brett Kirk 421 points
4. Darren Jolly 415 points
5. Adam Goodes 394 points
6. Jarrad McVeigh 366 points
7. Kieren Jack 346 points
8. Martin Mattner 330 points
9. Heath Grundy 318 points
10. Jude Bolton 306 points