LEETON product Jacob Hopper's superb season with Greater Western Sydney was recognised with a top three finish in the club's best and fairest count on Thursday night.
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The midfielder enjoyed a slender four point lead over Toby Greene after 12 rounds, with the vice captain drawing level with Hopper after 18 rounds.
However a strong finals series by Josh Kelly ensured he would pick up his second Kevin Sheedy Medal with 159 votes, ahead of Greene (149) and Hopper (142).
Players can accrue a maximum of 16 votes per game, with Kelly racking up 17 in the Giants' two finals matches to salute.
Hopper, 24, established himself as one of the competition's best midfielders in 2021.
He averaged 26 disposals per game and was selected in the initial 40-man All Australian squad for the first time in his career.
The inside bull also claimed the Carey Bunton Medal, awarded to the standout player from NSW in the AFL.
Based on votes from the AFL Coaches Association awards, Hopper polled 51 votes to pull clear of Sydney Swans pair Callum Mills (42) and Isaac Heeney (41).
Hopper signed a two year extension with the Giants earlier this month, and Narrandera product Matt Flynn looks set to follow suit.
The ruckman told The Daily Advertiser recently he was "very confident" of striking a new two year deal with the club, which was confirmed by Giants general manager of football this week.
"I'll put Jake (Riccardi) and Matt Flynn together in this one, we're pretty close to ticking those guys off for the next couple of years," he said.
However, the short term future of Culcairn product Jeremy Finlayson remains in limbo after he was granted permission by the Giants to talk to other clubs.
Finlayson and his partner are looking to be closer to family after the birth of their first child last month, with the forward linked to a possible move to Port Adelaide.
We've given Jeremy permission with his manager to explore options as there's concern around his family support," McCartney said.
"We know he's really happy at the club, but there's probably a lack of family support in Sydney for Jeremy and his partner so we've given his manager permission to explore, but I don't know how genuine Port's interest is.
"We don't think much will happen, but if it does the ball is in our court as he is contracted."
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