Sydney AFL midfielder Jarrad McVeigh capped off a season of remarkable improvement by winning the Swans' Best and Fairest award.

McVeigh 23, won the Bob Skilton Medal with 578 points, just 10 more than fellow midfielder and two-times winner Brett Kirk, who was leading the voting heading into the semi-final loss to the Bulldogs.

Co-captain Kirk finished in the top two for the sixth straight year.

Former Adelaide halfback Martin Mattner (532) finished third in a strong first season for the Swans, followed by midfielder Jude Bolton (514) and out of contract forward Ryan O'Keefe (447).

The fifth selection in the 2002 National draft, McVeigh struggled to live up to that lofty pick in his early years with the club.

He missed selection in the 2005 grand final-wining team, though he made the side which lost the season decider the following year.

McVeigh polled votes in 20 of Sydney's 24 games in 2008, collecting the maximum of 50 for his career best six-goal performance against the Bulldogs in Canberra.

It was easily his best and most consistent campaign after finishing 23rd in voting in 2005, 11th in 2006 and 18th last year.

Kirk won the Players' Player award named after his former Sydney skipper and fellow midfielder Paul Kelly.

Centre half forward Barry Hall, whose campaign was interrupted by two suspensions, won the award of best Sydney player in the finals, determined by coach Paul Roos.

The club's rising star award was shared by midfielders Craig Bird and Kieren Jack, while another of Sydney's youngsters, goalsneak Jarred Moore, was named most improved player.

Irish halfback Tadhg Kennelly was awarded the trophy for best clubman.

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