The Macksville and District RLFC celebrated a successful 2009 season with their annual presentation night at the Nambucca Hotel last Saturday (October 10).
This was a great opportunity for players from all grades, supporters and sponsors to come together and look back on a season that saw the Under-18s make the semi-finals, the first grade move up the ladder from seventh to runners-up and the club host the grand final for the third time in five years.
Around 80 people attended the night and enjoyed a fine dinner, some memorable moments and an excellent film record of the 2009 season put together by Jaleel Jarrett.
Club President Bernie Spear hosted the evening and did his usual excellent job, keeping the presentations running smoothly and the tone of the night relaxed and comfortable.
The club was also fortunate that ex-Penrith and Illawarra star Craig Izzard had come up for the weekend as part of the Windsor Wolves visit with the Bowraville Under-12s and
readily accepted the invitation to be a guest presenter.
The major awards of the night saw Izzard present the Eagles ‘Player of the Year’ award to Djaan Jarrett, a highly popular choice.
Djaan played strongly throughout the season, moving up from second row to prop early in the season when the club lacked size up front, and quickly established himself as the front rower of the group.
Club President Bernie Spear was named ‘Club Person of the Year’, again a popular awardee who has given tirelessly to the club over the year and taken on many duties beyond those normally expected of the President.
Matt Byrnes took out two of the special awards, the ‘President’s Award for Most Improved Player in the Club’ along with first grade coach Neville Donovan’s award for ‘Rookie of the Year’.
Byrnes, in this first year out of the Under-18s, began the season as a back up for reserve grade but quickly became an integral part of the first grade squad as a utility player and impressed many judges with his determination and courage.
The club awarded Life Membership to John Hicks, an ex-player, life-time supporter, long-time committee member and responsible for serving up the best steak sandwiches in he group at home games.
Michael Ronan took out highest point-scorer, with 188 points.
The club’s memorial awards went to well-deserved recipients with Tyler Doolan taking out the Albert Donovan Award for the Under-18s, Andrew Blair the Jack Russell Award for reserve grade and Bobby Jarrett winning the Bob Lonergan Award for first grade.
These awards are based on the points awarded by the referees in the group’s best and fairest competition.
Bobby also took out the Bernard Laverty Award for the ‘Most Courageous Player’, while Matt Byrne made it a trifecta when he accepted the Dick and Norma Donovan Award.
The Louis Ballangarry Award for the Most Improved Junior went to Jake Fuller, who played nearly all the Under-18 games this year, despite being an Under-16.
Ben Hennessy, Tyler Searle and Cameron Knox received the club’s encouragement awards in the shape of memberships of the Macksville Swim’n’Gym, provided by Manager Mark Cummings.
Other awardees on the night were – Players’ Player: Tyler Doolan (Under-18s); Andrew Blair (reserve grade); Chris Martin (first grade). Most Consistent: Brad Welsh (Under-18s); Kyle Miller (reserve frade); Mick Ronan (first grade). Best Back: Michael Lewis (Under-18s); Anthony Donovan (reserve grade); Mick Ronan (first grade). Best Forward: Michael Kelly (Under-18s); Lucas Grace (reserve grade); Bobby Jarrett (first grade). Most Improved: Jake Fuller (Under-18s); Jason Noble (reserve grade); Matt Byrnes (first grade). Best Trainer: Murray Spear (Under-18s); Cameron Knox (reserve grade); Grant Collison (first grade). Leading Try Scorer: T Doolan (Under-18s); A Blair (reserve grade); Jesse McEwen First grade). Best and Fairest: T Doolan (Under-18s); A Blair (reserve grade); and Luke Cartwright (first grade).
The club wishes to thank all those who attended the night, presenters, awards sponsors Macksville Quality Meats, Kinnear and Cartwright, Frost Plumbing and the Bowraville Junior League and especially the major sponsors of the evening Lairds Friendly Grocers.
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