THE AFL is pleased to announce Bailey Banfield (Fremantle), Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs) and Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne) as the three finalists for the 2026 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
Built on a legacy of giving back, the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award recognises the AFL player who best embodies the values of the late Jim Stynes -Melbourne champion and former Demons President – recognising their outstanding commitment to community service and leadership.
The 2026 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will be presented during the broadcast of the 2026 Brownlow Medal, with the winner to receive $40,000 to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said:
“Jim Stynes left a legacy that continues to inspire not just our players, but the broader football community, and his belief in using football as a force for good continues on through this award,” Dillon said.
“I’d like to acknowledge all the nominees and congratulate Bailey, Tom and Kysaiah as this year’s finalists. Their contribution to communities across the country reflect the positive impact our players have beyond the game.”
“I’d also like to thank the Jim Stynes Foundation for their continued partnership to recognise the community contributions of our players.”
Now in its fifteenth year, nominations are submitted from AFL Clubs and the AFL Players' Association before the judging panel selects the finalists.
Chaired by Trisha Squires, Head of AFLW Operations, the nine-person panel is comprised of respected leaders from the AFL, media and community sectors, including representatives from the AFL, AFLPA and the Stynes family.
Please see below for the 2026 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award Finalists
Bailey Banfield (Fremantle)
Bailey Banfield has built long-standing partnerships with the Starlight’s Children’s Foundation, Worthy Australia and the Purple Hands Foundation. In 2026, he also established and led a player-driven program, Freo Cares.
Since launching Freo Cares, Banfield has mobilised players, coaches and staff to support five community causes, delivering meals to people experiencing homelessness, helping build safe havens for women and children escaping domestic violence, supporting disengaged youth and spending time with seriously ill children.
A Starlight ambassador for eight years with Fremantle and a national ambassador since 2024, Banfield also helped drive fundraising around Fremantle’s annual Purple Haze game, which raised more than $300,000 this year, while his advocacy and volunteer work with Worthy Australia helped grow community support for families rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.
Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
Tom Liberatore has shown exceptional community leadership through his commitment to supporting vulnerable people across his local Footscray community and Melbourne’s west.
After seeing the ongoing impact of homelessness in the area, Liberatore approached the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (WBCF) to ask how he could help.
The approach led to him playing a key role in the opening of the Lighthouse Café in Footscray, an initiative of The Salvation Army which is a partner of the WBCF.
The Lighthouse Café is a welcoming space that provides meals, connection and support for people experiencing homelessness.
Liberatore coordinates ongoing food donations through his hospitality businesses, regularly prepares and serves his own home-cooked meals, and volunteers his time at the café each week.
Liberatore also supports wider youth engagement programs through the WBCF, bringing together teammates, local businesses and community partners to contribute to the foundation’s initiatives.
Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
Kysaiah Pickett has become a trusted ambassador for Melbourne Football Club’s partnership with Melbourne University’s Indigenous Eye Health Unit (IEHU), Minum Barreng.
As a proud First Nations man and ambassador for the Clean Faces, Strong Eyes campaign, Pickett has spent years travelling to remote communities, helping drive awareness and behaviour change to eliminate trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
Through school visits, community engagement and health education initiatives across the Northern Territory, Pickett has helped deliver critical health messages to First Nations children and families. His contribution supported the successful elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Australia, one of the country’s biggest public health achievements.
Pickett continues to work closely with the club to identify and support health issues impacting First Nations communities.
Previous recipients of the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award
2025 – Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions)
2024 - Riley O’Brien (Adelaide Crows)
2023 – Sam Docherty (Carlton)
2022 – Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats)
2021 – Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
2020 – Bachar Houli (Richmond)
2019 – Stephen Coniglio (Greater Western Sydney)
2018 – Neville Jetta (Melbourne Demons)
2017 – Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide)
2016 – Jimmy Bartel (Geelong Cats)
2015 – Dennis Armfield (Carlton)
2014 – Beau Waters (West Coast Eagles)
2013 – Zac Smith (Gold Coast SUNS)
2012 – Daniel Jackson (Richmond)
About the Jim Stynes Foundation
The Jim Stynes Foundation was founded in 2015 and exists to carry on the legacy of Jim Stynes by enhancing the lives of young people and utilising the power of the AFL industry to create positive impacts on the community.
Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award Committee
Luke Darcy – Western Bulldogs board member and media personality
Sarah Fair – AFL Executive General Manager People
Tom Harley – AFL Chief Operating Officer
Laura Kane – AFL Executive General Manager AFLW, Health and Football Operations
Narelle Long – Jim Stynes Foundation board member and AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager
Ben Smith – AFL Players Association General Manager Player Development
Trisha Squires – Head of AFLW Operations (chair and non-voting member)
Samantha Stynes – Jim Stynes Foundation co-founder
Kim Williams – AFL Commissioner
