Cipro wins Swan Medal for 2026

There’s been no more consistent performer or dedicated Swan Districts player over the past decade than Josh Cipro and now that has been recognised with a Swan Medal to add to his collection for 2026.

Cipro has now played 125 games with Swan Districts and throughout most of those since his League debut back in 2016, he has been a tremendously consistent and reliable part of the midfield unit.

He has been a regular near the top of the vote counts for the Swan Medal as the fairest and best winner including finishing third in 2025 and even being the RA Newbey Memorial Award winner as Rookie of the Year back in 2019.

The 28-year-old had another standout season in 2026 where he was able to play all 18 matches. By the end of it, he got the reward of being named the fairest and best winner and receiving the Swan Medal for the first time as the undoubted highlight of his 125-game WAFL career.

Across the course of the season, Cipro averaged 24.3 possessions a game with his consistency the highlight where he never had fewer than 11 disposals, and had a best of 40 against Perth in Round 19 along with getting 30 or more touches on three occasions.

That was recognised in fairest and best voting where he earned top votes in just three of the 18 matches but his consistency was key to finishing up with 92 votes.

That saw him end up five votes clear of captain Jesse Turner who already is a three-time Swan Medal winner and now has another top two finish to go with his remarkable 191-game career at Swan Districts.

The third-place finish went to Clint Hinchliffe as he proved to be an intuitive recruit following his professional cricket career, and while still juggling playing Premier League cricket in the summer and WAFL football across the winter.

For the second straight season, Leigh Kohlmann kicked 32 goals and received the Ted Holdsworth Memorial Award as the leading goalkicker for 2026.

Leo Steed looks to have an exciting AFL future ahead of him and he offered a glimpse into his potential with Swan Districts this season and was presented with the RA Newbey Memorial Award as the Rookie of the Year.

It was a memorable and dominant season from the Reserves in 2026 with them going on to win the premiership at Optus Stadium.

That team was celebrated on the night with Ayden Cartwright ending up being named the fairest and winner to claim the FA Bonney Sweetapple Memorial Award.

He finished on 118 votes to win ahead of Luke Cotellessa on 79 who also claimed the DC Goddard Memorial Award in 2025. The third-place vote getter was Otis Harvey who received the Lew Armstrong Memorial Award.

The season of the Colts was also recognised with Jai Debono named the fairest and best winner and claiming the EJ McManus Award.

He finished with 89 votes for the season to win ahead of Hayden Young (47) and Charlie Crotty (44).

Other awards presented on the night included Naruhiro ‘Geish’ Hori winning the Ken Ball Memorial Players Award, and the late Stephen Bakes received the Joe Pearce Memorial Courage Award.

Seb Bright also was named the Jack Hickling Memorial Award winner chosen by the Swan Districts’ support staff while Josh Pesqua won the Best Club Person Award for 2026.

The night was also a special occasion for outgoing President Peter Hodyl as he received a fitting tribute as he prepares to step down from the Board following his incredible service to the club on the back of his own premiership-winning playing career.

WAFL MEN’S AWARD WINNERS 2026

LEAGUE
Swan Medal (Fairest and Best): Josh Cipro
Norm Thomas Memorial Award (runner-up): Jesse Turner
Mrs N Innes Memorial Award (third-place): Clint Hinchliffe
RA Newby Memorial Award (Rookie of the Year): Leo Steed
Ted Holdsworth Memorial Award (Leading Goalkicker): Leigh Kohlmann (32 goals)

RESERVES
FA Bonney Sweetapple Memorial Award (Fairest and Best): Ayden Cartwright
DC Goddard Memorial Award (runner-up): Luke Cotellessa
Lew Armstrong Memorial Award (third-place): Otis Harvey
Reserves Encouragement Award: Tom Cathcart

COLTS
EJ McManus Award (Fairest and Best): Jai Debono
Judy Sarich Memorial Award (runner-up): Hayden Young
Cooper Brothers Award (third-place): Charlie Crotty
Colts Encouragement Award: Taj Rowe

CLUB AWARDS
Ken Ball Memorial Players Award: Naruhiro ‘Geish’ Hori
Jack Hickling Memorial Award (Most Outstanding Player On and Off Field): Seb Bright
PJ Bright Memorial Award (Best Club Person): Josh Pesqua
Joe Pearce Courage Memorial Award: Stephen Bakes