GWS midfielder turned defender Lachie Whitfield has capped a successful positional switch this season by winning the Kevin Sheedy Medal the Giants’ club champion award.

The former No.1 draft pick Whitfield had never played in defence before this season, but earned an All-Australian team spot for his dashing play as a half-back flanker.

Whitfield averaged 26.8 disposals and 6.7 marks across the Giants campaign, which ended in the semi-finals.

He polled 175 votes on Friday, ahead of co-captains Callan Ward (164) and Phil Davis(156).

Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (154) and defender Nick Haynes (151) rounded out the top five.

Small forward and mature age draftee Zac Langdon won the club’s Rising Star award, after logging 21 games in his first season.