After a First Grade season in which the Goulburn City Bulldogs showed ample promise but were hobbled by injuries and poor fortune, three of their players have been named in the Canberra Region Rugby League Team of the Year.
Both coaches, Tyson Greenwood and Jesse Martin, were named at prop and on the bench respectively, while Isaac Walker was awarded the number seven jersey for his performances in the halves.
Considering the strength of his teammates' form this season, Greenwood was unsurprised to see Martin and Walker included in the CRRL side.
"Jesse was phenomenal all year for us, and we recognised that locally," Greenwood said.
"I think he got Players' Player a couple of weeks in a row, and he always put himself on the line every game for 80 minutes.
"And then Isaac owned that position when he got put into the halves, he really stood up and was very consistent and a bit of a standout player in that position.
"I think they're both very deserving of that recognition, and I'm stoked for them."
Though Greenwood declined to comment on his own form, the CRRL praised the Bulldogs forward for his impact and commitment to the side.
"Juggling the captain-coaching role, Greenwood was able to lead from the front and consistently lay a solid platform for his team," the league's appraisal read.
"Greenwood scored four tries this season, with a hat-trick in round eight against the Yass Magpies. He also played all 13 games for the Bulldogs this season."
Though Goulburn slipped out of the top five the round before the competition was eventually called off due to the COVID-19 lockdowns in Canberra and NSW, having three players selected in the Team of the Year showed just how much promise lies within the side.
"We've got an awesome bunch of fellas there," Greenwood said.
"Steve Cummins just missed out in his position [winger], and Dom Stephens was solid in his position as well [fullback].
"And then we've got all the junior boys like Max Flack, Bailey Lanham, I could just go on and on about the amount of talent we've got in town.
"And that was our focus this year was building something special and building into 2022."
The Team of the Year recognition comes on the back of a successful night for Goulburn at the Les McIntyre Medal Awards Night, where four club members received accolades - the highlight of which was Brooke McKenna's Best and Fairest in the CRRL League Tag competition.
The Goulburn City Bulldogs will hold their AGM on Sunday, November 14, from 5pm at the Astor Hotel.
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