Young Sydney Swans ruckman Darcy Cameron has claimed the 2018 Cathy Lees Award in recognition of his blossoming talent.

The award, named in honour of late Swans fan Cathy Lees, is presented to the most promising young player at the club at the completion of every pre-season.

Cathy, who was a passionate Swans supporter but sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1998, found particular interest in the reserves and keeping track of the brightest emerging stars.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the award and, on Monday, members of the Lees family, including Cathy’s father Alan, made the annual trip to the SCG to add Cameron to a prestigious list of winners.

Brett Kirk and Tadhg Kennelly are among those to have been presented the honour since its 1998 inception, and Cameron said it was highly special to win the award in light of the honour roll and the enormous fan Cathy was.

“It was a great honour to win that award,” Cameron told SwansTV.

“A number of great names have won it, and to be in the same category and start off your career like that feels pretty good.

“Kirky was actually telling me that he won the award 20 years ago, and Tadhg of course achieved so much in his career.

“It’s very clear how devoted a fan Cathy was, and to be able to stand up and be presented that award today made for a moment I will always cherish.”

Cameron signed with the Swans at the 2016 AFL Draft and last year made his AFL debut off the back of glittering NEAFL form.

The 23-year-old finished runner-up in the 2018 NEAFL MVP award and made the NEAFL Team of the Year.

Alan believes Cameron is destined for lofty heights.

“He’s certainly a promising player who in the next year or two should reach his peak – and it’ll be lovely to watch and see,” Alan told SwansTV.

“It’s great that he’s now carrying our award in his hip pocket, and hopefully it gives him a little bit of a boost for the season ahead.”