Riggio claims second Swan Medal as Swans look to hit backWednesday, October 12, 2016 - 9:08 PM - by Chris Pike

MATT Riggio and Adam Faulkner were two outstanding performers in a difficult year for Swan Districts with the former taking out a second straight Swan Medal while the black-and-whites continue to make significant signings to improve quickly in 2017.

Swan Districts' season might have been disappointing with just the two victories and a wooden spoon finish, but the performances of Riggio and Faulkner right throughout the year were a highlight.

Therefore it was no surprise to see the pair finish up going neck and neck in the Swan Medal voting to determine the club's fairest and best winner for 2016.

Riggio ended up polling 130 votes to claim his second straight Swan Medal to win ahead of Faulkner who came runner-up with 110 votes.

The pair finished well in front of their teammates with Tony Notte coming third with 67 votes ahead of Justin Simpson (55), Jesse Turner (55), Tom Smirk (43), Todd Banfield (42), Tallan Ames (41), Laurence Grescos (36) and Graham Jetta (35).

The Swan Medal victory capped off a tremendous season for Riggio backing up his performance in 2015 that saw him score a narrow win in the fairest and best voting over Ryan Davis who went on to have a solid AFL season in 2016 with the Gold Coast Suns.

Riggio had a slightly slow start the season averaging just 16.5 possessions over the first month but for the remaining 16 matches he averaged 28 disposals. In that time, he never had less than 19 touches in a game and had it 30 or more times on seven occasions.

The 140-game WAFL veteran also represented WA in 2016 in the 134-point state game victory over Tasmania at Steel Blue Oval.

He is now a dual fairest and best winner to go with a 2010 premiership player, and is on target to earn Swan Districts life membership in 2017.

Faulkner cemented himself as a mainstay of the Swans' midfield in 2016 with the best and most consistent season of his career. He averaged 26.7 possessions a game and had 23 or more disposals and every match during the season bar two to highlight his consistency.

Ricky Cary was presented with the Ted Holdsworth Memorial after being Swan Districts' leading goalkicker for the season, booting 21 goals from 13 games.

The RA Newby Award for Rookie of the Year went to Jesse Turner who ended up equal fourth in fairest and best voting.

The Jack Hickling Memorial Award was presented to courageous big man Jake Nuich who overcame a cancer scare to come back to play late in the 2016 season.

Swan Districts' reserves fairest and best award was won by Ben Whitsed who took out the Sweetapple Memorial Award.

Tobe Watson was named the colts fairest and best winner for 2016 as he was presented with the EJ McManus Award.

Swan Districts' women's team won the WAWFL premiership in 2016 and their fairest and best winner was Kara Donnellan who was presented with the Mandy McSherry Medal.

There was plenty of good news for Swan Districts as the black-and-whites look to bounce back with a bang in 2017.

With David Ellard and Jamie Bennell already confirmed to return after their AFL careers with Carlton and West Coast ended at the end of 2016, Clancee Pearce and Corey Gault were also announced to make their return to the black-and-whites.

Pearce is a premiership player from 2010 with Swans and won another flag in 2016 with Peel Thunder. He played 100 AFL matches with Fremantle and now will return to Swan Districts in 2017.

Gault managed to play six AFL games with Collingwood over the past three seasons and now will return to give the black-and-whites plenty of height and flexibility in 2017.

SWAN MEDAL TOP 10 VOTE WINNERS
Matt Riggio: 130 votes
Adam Faulkner: 110
Tony Notte: 67
Justin Simpson 55
Jesse Turner: 55
Tom Smirk: 43
Todd Banfield: 42
Tallan Ames: 41
Laurence Grescos: 36
Graham Jetta: 35

AWARD WINNERS
Swan Medal winner (League Fairest and Best): Matt Riggio
Runner-up League Fairest and Best: Adam Faulkner
Third-placing League Fairest and Best: Tony Notte
Fourth-placing League Fairest and Best: Justin Simpson, Jesse Turner
Ted Holdsworth Memorial Award (League Leading Goalkicker): Ricky Cary
RA Newby Award (Rookie of the Year): Jesse Turner
Jack Hickling Memorial Award (Most Outstanding Player on and off the Field): Jake Nuich
Sweetapple Memorial Award (Reserves Fairest and Best): Ben Whitsed
EJ McManus Award (Colts Fairest and Best): Tobe Watson
Mandy McSherry Medal winner (Women's Fairest and Best): Kara Donnellan