A LEADER on the field, an inspiration off it.

Sam Docherty has been nominated for the 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, to be awarded on Brownlow Medal night.

Carlton's fifth nominee in five years, Docherty is a finalist on the back of his amazing work with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, where he serves as an Observer to the Board, as well as his ambassadorial role for Paws4Kids, a program run through MacKillop Family Services.

The Carlton community and the wider football world have been along the journey with Docherty, who bravely battled his cancer journey while in the public spotlight and has constantly used his platform to make a positive impact for those going through illness, particularly with the next generation.

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award - named after the former Melbourne champion - is in its 12th year, and is awarded to the individual who embodies making a difference and representing football in a positive light both on and off the field. Dennis Armfield, Docherty's former teammate, was the recipient of the award back in 2015.

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Sam Docherty nominated for Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

A leader on the field, an inspiration off it: always willing to make a positive difference, Sam Docherty has been nominated for the 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Sam Docherty has provided a beacon of hope to those in the community battling illness after recovering twice from testicular cancer, with his inspirational story leading to multiple fundraising campaigns within the football community.

Launched in 2021 the ‘Doing It for Doc’ initiative not only helped raise $220,000 for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation to support life-saving cancer research, but his voice and position also encouraged more people in the community to book a checkup with their doctor. Docherty now holds a voluntary role as an Observer on the Board of Peter Mac Cancer Foundation and is an ambassador for the Peter Mac Cup, which takes place between Carlton and Collingwood every year and is the longest-running charity match in the AFL.

The defender and former Blues co-captain is also an ambassador for Paws4Kids which is a program run through MacKillop Family Services. This initiative allows more vulnerable children to get back to the class room through the support of therapy dogs.

Always thinking of ways he can make a positive impact, Carlton teamed up with North Melbourne and fellow cancer survivor, Ben Cunnington, to create the first Good Friday Superclash, ultimately raising more than $200,000 for the Good Friday Appeal and drawing the biggest crowd attendance in this fixture’s history (49,062).