Tom Liberatore at an Inner West session for the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Social Study Club. Photo: Supplied

The AFL has today announced the three finalists for the 2025 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award: Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney GIANTS) Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) and Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs).

AFL Victoria commends all three finalists, but particularly Tom Liberatore for his local work in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Now in its fourteenth year, this prestigious honour celebrates the AFL player who best embodies the values of the late Jim Stynes – Melbourne champion and former Demons President.

Recognising an outstanding commitment to community service and leadership; the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award represents the very best of the game, built on a legacy of giving back and leading by example, both on and off the field.

The 2025 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will be presented during the broadcast of the 2025 Brownlow Medal on Monday 22 September.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the AFL is proud to continue honouring the legacy of Jim Stynes through this important award.

“Jim Stynes left a legacy that continues to inspire not just our players, but the broader football community. His belief in using football as a force for good continues on through this award,” Dillon said.

“Each of our 2025 finalists have gone above and beyond to lead with compassion, purpose and generosity, which are the values that are at the heart of this award and central to what we stand for as a game.

“Reflecting the true spirit of making a difference beyond the field, I’d like to thank the Jim Stynes Foundation for their continued partnership to formally recognise the community contributions of our players.”

Nominations for the award are submitted from AFL Clubs and the AFL Players’ Association before the judging panel selects the finalists.

Chaired by Trisha Squires, Head of AFL QLD & International, the 11-person panel is comprised of respected leaders from the AFL, media and community sectors, including representatives from the AFL, AFLPA and the Stynes family.  

In partnership with the Jim Stynes Foundation, the winner will receive $40,000 to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.

Please see below for the 2025 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award Finalists

Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
Tom Liberatore has played an ongoing role in the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Social and Study Club, a weekly after-school program supporting students from African cultural backgrounds in Melbourne’s west.

Attending sessions each week during school terms, he provides hands-on academic support, mentoring, and encouragement to help improve student engagement and confidence.

Liberatore also contributes to the program’s development as a member of the Foundation’s Youth Early Intervention and Prevention Community of Practice, helping shape strategy and youth engagement approaches.

Beyond his direct involvement, Liberatore is a strong advocate for community engagement within the club. His leadership has encouraged other players to get involved, contributing to wider participation across multiple Western Bulldogs Community Foundation programs. His example has inspired younger teammates, helping build a strong culture of giving back.

Through consistent volunteering and advocacy, Liberatore has helped strengthen the program’s visibility, reach, and long-term impact in the community.

Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney GIANTS)
Callan Ward, a foundation GIANTS player and former captain, has played a central role in the club’s community engagement strategy through the GIANTS Foundation.

In 2023, Ward was instrumental in shaping the Foundation’s focus on supporting sick children and mental health, leading to the launch of a major campaign to build Western Sydney’s first dedicated children’s hospice in partnership with Rio’s Legacy and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

Ward has supported the initiative through strategic planning, public advocacy, media engagement, and stakeholder outreach. His efforts helped raise $3.3 million in initial funding, unlocking a $20 million commitment from the NSW Government and an additional $13 million in philanthropic support. The facility, Mounties Care Cottage, is due to open in 2027.

In addition to advocacy at NSW Parliament and media appearances, Ward mobilised widespread community involvement, including over 250 participants in the GIANTS Foundation’s 2024 City2Surf team. His work has helped secure long-term partnerships and deliver sustainable and hugely impactful outcomes for sick and dying children and their families across the Western Sydney.

Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions)
Harris Andrews is a committed advocate for creating safer and more respectful communities, focusing on empowering young people, particularly boys, to develop emotional intelligence and reject violence.

Since 2018, he has been an active Ambassador for Beyond DV, engaging directly with vulnerable youth and volunteering at events to support those impacted by domestic and family violence.

Andrews played a key role in the development and launch of the ‘Ask a Mate’ initiative, a prevention program promoting respectful relationships and consent education. His leadership helped mobilise over 20 public figures and teammates to amplify the campaign’s reach, including supporting the launch of its dedicated app in 2025.

Beyond public advocacy, Andrews contributes to grassroots education as a co-facilitator in junior football clubs, embedding values of respect and inclusion in young players’ development. His ongoing involvement with Beyond DV through media appearances, fundraising, and community events has strengthened support for primary prevention efforts across Queensland and beyond.

Through consistent and authentic engagement, Andrews has inspired fellow players and the wider community to join in advocacy efforts, demonstrating the lasting impact of athlete-led leadership in driving social change.

Previous recipients of the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award
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 GIANTS) 
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 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
Andrew Dillon – AFL CEO
Ben Smith – AFLPA Interim CEO
Don McLardy – CEO of McLardy McShane Insurance and Financial Services, and former President of the Melbourne Football Club
Jude Donnelly – AFL Executive Manager Government and Stakeholder Relations
Kim Williams – Chair of the ABC, and former AFL Commissioner
Luke Darcy – Western Bulldogs Board Member, media personality and former Western Bulldogs AFL captain
Narelle Long – Board Member of Jim Stynes Foundation, and AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager
Neil Mitchell – Media personality
Sam Stynes – Co-Founder of the Jim Stynes Foundation
Sarah Fair – AFL Executive General Manager People
Trisha Squires (Chair and non-voting member) – Head of AFL QLD & International

To learn more about the Jim Stynes Foundation, click here.