THE Goulburn Rugby Club capped off a mixed year on the paddock with an upbeat presentation night that celebrated the many successes and accomplishments of the season.
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Along with the awarding of prizes to players, speakers at the presentation night highlighted the many strengths shown and achievements experienced this year.
Representatives of each of the club’s subunions – the Fizzy Reds, Tablelands Reds, Dirty Reds, Fermented Reds and the newest addition, the Flirty Reds – summarised their seasons and each returned to the central themes of the family nature of the club, its ongoing growth and the cradle to grave opportunities it offers.
First grade coach Matt O’Rourke, a veteran of more than 25 years with the club, acknowledged the difficulties confronted this season including the lack of player numbers, especially at training sessions and away games.
But he also drew attention to the how close the first grade side was able to get to the bigger Canberra clubs even under those conditions, and he endorsed life member Terry Tilden’s contention that the current core of players will form the skeleton of a formidable side for years to come.
Other highlights of the season included the official opening of the clubhouse, the debut of the Flirty Reds and the money raised by the Say No to Domestic Violence Day.
This year the auction of jumpers raised around $5000 which came almost entirely from the players. Many of those players are young men with modest incomes and O’Rourke highlighted their generous donations to this cause as another sign of their quality as men.
In a very poignant and touching gesture, manager Gary Stephens, strapper Anthony White and a number of the players chipped in to buy one of those jumpers at the auction and presented it to the club’s most passionate member, assistant manager Geoffrey Shepherd, for his efforts for the club this year.
Honour board
First Grade Awards
• 1st Grade most games: BEN GREEN & AIDEN GREAVES (17)
• 1st grade most trys: DAVID HOOK (7)
• 1st grade most points: JOEL MCPHERSON (58)
• 1st Grade Most Improved: JORDAN WILCOX
• 1st Grade Players Player: JORDAN WILCOX
• 1st Grade Best and Fairest Player: BEN GREEN
Second Grade Awards
• 2nd Grade most games: ROBBIE COSGROVE (13)
• 2nd grade most trys: CURTIS FLOOD and ROBBIE COSGROVE (4)
• 2nd grade most points: CURTIS FLOOD (23)
• 2nd Grade Most Improved: JAMES ROWLANDS
• 2nd Grade Players Player: JAMES ROWLANDS and CURTIS FLOOD
• 2nd Grade Best and Fairest Player: JAMES ROWLANDS
Under 18 Awards
• U18 Coaches Award: TOM RICHIES
• U18 Best Back: HARRY CUMMINS
• U18 Best Forward: JAMIE McINTOSH
• U18 Players Player: CHARLIE WHITE
• U18 Best and Fairest: CHARLIE WHITE
• U18 Most Improved: MARK WHITHERS
Club Awards
• 1st Grade most games: LUKE SHAW (23)
• 1st grade most trys: DAVID HOOK and BEN HOGAN (7)
• 1st grade most points: JOEL MCPHERSON (58)
• The Kevin Fitzsimmons Encouragement Award: BEN TODKILL
• The John Osmond Most Dedicated Player Award: MATT BIRD
• The Mark Longhurst Most Outstanding Prospect Award: JORDAN WILCOX
• The Bruce Bailey Outstanding Achievement Award (Donated by Joe Fitzgibbon and Rick Buckley ): BOYD NEWBY
• The Matthew Klem Clubman Of The Year Award (Donated by Chris Browne): BEN “YOGI” PEARSON
• The Simon Poidevin Best Forward Award: BOYD NEWBY
• The Geoff Richardson Best Back Award: AIDEN GREAVES
Fun Awards
• Animal of the Year: MATT BIRD
• Village Idiot: NATHAN HEWETT
• El Meato Butchered Try Award: DAVID HOOK
• Yabby of the Year: GEORGE MARTIN
• Pooey Pooey Moi Moi: GEORGE MARTIN
• Dummy Spit of the Year: LUKE SHAW