Giro continues perfect start to Lions career

Stefan Giro has continued his immaculate start to his career with the Subiaco Lions claiming the 2022 Outridge Medal dominantly.

Although polling slowly through the early parts of the season, Giro was head and shoulders above the field at the end of the count, amassing an incredible 471 votes.

In his first season wearing Maroon and Gold, Giro gathered 469 disposals and kicked eight goals with an average of 5 tackles a game. Also representing WA in the State Game and playing for West Coast as a COVID emergency there is no doubt the 23-year-old from Norwood is one of the best first-year players in club history.

Giro beat out Leigh Kitchin and Liam Hickmott who claimed second and third respectively. For Kitchin, it was his third time winning the Don Carter Memorial Trophy for the Runner-Up Club Champion to go along with his two Outridge Medals. A testament to the consistency the 151-Game player has provided for the Club.

For Hickmott, it is the first time the pathway prodigy has poled within the top three for the Outridge Medal and his first time claiming the Ted Doherty Memorial Trophy. A former Taylor medallist and product of Sorrento Duncraig, there was a sense it won’t be the last time hearing his name at the Best and Fairest.

The evening also hosted a hotly contested battle for Reserves Fairest and Best as the premiers continued to celebrate the win a week on.

336 votes for Jaxon McGowan got the job done as he claimed honours for the Blakemore Medal with his presence felt throughout the year from the back half.

In his acceptance speech, McGowan credited the strength of the Subiaco backline for allowing him to play with freedom. Just 10 points behind, with 326 votes and claiming Runner-Up Fairest and Best was Trey Kennedy rounding out a spectacular season for the Warwick Greenwood rising star.

Reserves Captain and 2022 debutant, Connor Patterson was just back in third with 311 points.

Other winners on the night included Galen Savigni who claimed the Dennis Barron Memorial Trophy as the Club’s Rising Star, and Stefan Giro who claimed the Gold's Player of the Year in addition to his Outridge Medal. Ben Sokol claimed yet another Austin Robertson Junior Award for the 2022 Leading Goalkicker to go alongside the 2022 Bernie Naylor as the league’s leading goal kicker.

The 2022 President’s Award was claimed by Maddie Oudman for her ongoing support of the club, credited as ‘the glue that holds Subiaco together’ and Jack Mayo awarded the City of Subiaco Medallion as the best club man for 2022.

Similar to the Taylor Medal, a new addition to the evening saw the Mick ‘Magic’ Bailey Award presented to the player who performed consistently throughout the year both on and off the field, showing dedication to the club and teammates. The deserving winners were Chayse Grabe-Paparone for Reserves and Drew Rohde for League.

In addition, the Club honoured three outgoing superstars. Brandon Matera, Hayden Kennedy and Lachlan Delahunty between them have won 10 Subiaco Premierships. All incredible players, people and ambassadors for our Club and will be sorely missed.

The playing group now turns its attention to 2023 with preparation for pre-season underway. More information on Season 2023 will be released over the coming weeks. For more information please contact info@subiacofc.com.au