Bulldogs celebrate

The presentation night was held over till November because of various commitments of key personnel and so the club could make the important announcement of who would lead the players on the field for the next three years.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the clubs new captain coach for the next three years, James Aubusson.

The announcement comes on the back of the club’s largest number of retirements from first grade at the end of a season for several years.

Many of the Canberra players who used to travel every week to Goulburn for training as well as travel here for home games have decided to call it quits.

Those of their number who received awards on Friday night all spoke highly of the friendliness of the Goulburn club and how unlike the other sides they had played for it was.

They highlighted the level of support and the family atmosphere that seemed lacking in other clubs this included

Goulburn’s solid core spectator base, the support personnel, coaches and players.

Lower grade coaches Steve Freebody and Platon Antony said they also intended stepping back a little next year but still would remain active within the Bulldogs’ rugby league family.

Dale Godber told the audience that the Bulldogs were in a rebuilding phase and they expected that strength would come through the solid base of junior players that they had established.

Besides best and fairest, coaches’ awards and players’ player there were a host of special and memorial awards.

First grade player Jeremy Braun, referee Rod Cranston and Ricky Brooker were presented with awards for Services to Rugby League. Mitchell Cornish picked up several awards including Rookie of the Year.

Jason Gray and Sam Hewitt shared the Tim Hartnett Memorial Rising Star Award, which was presented by Tim’s mother Cheryl Hartnett and other members of the family.