2008 South Sydney Player Awards
4th October 2008
George Piggins FG Player Of The Year - Luke Stuart
Luke Stuart's name will go down in the history books of the South Sydney Football Club, as the George Piggins Medallist for the Club?s Centenary Season in 2008. Stuart one of only two remaining reinstatement players from the 2002 season along with Scott Geddes, has been awarded the Club?s highest honour at the Red and Green Ball held at the AJC Royal Randwick Racecourse tonight (Friday). Stuart has an outstanding season for the Rabbitohs in 2008 and, richly and gave 100% in every match he played. He also captained the Rabbitohs in the match against the Leeds Rhinos in Jacksonville Florida played on Australia Day this year. Stuart was also the joint-recipient of the Jack Rayner Players' Player Award, and he also won the Members' Choice Award, and The Burrow Player of the Year Award for 2008. The George Piggins Medal was presented to Stuart by South Sydney Juniors President Keith McCraw. The George Piggins Medal is presented to the player deemed to be the best and fairest player of that given season. Congratulations to Luke Stuart on winning the Centenary George Piggins Medal in 2008.
Jack Rayner Players' Player Award - Dual Winner Luke Stuart and Nathan Merritt
Luke Stuart and Nathan Merritt have been recognised by their peers as the stand out players of the 2008 season, with both players tying for the Jack Rayner Players' Player Award for the Club's Centenary season. With Stuart representing the forwards and Merritt representing the backs these two players were level on points collected from the 17 players playing first grade each week. The players cherish the Players' Player awards each year as it is recognition from their peer group of the job they have done for the team throughout the entire season. Merritt was the Club's leading try scorer again this season with 13 playing in the wing and fullback positions throughout the season. Stuart was the Club?s leading tackler racking 746 tackles for the season more than 100 tackles ahead of his nearest team mate. Congratulations to Luke and Nathan on sharing the Jack Rayner Players' Player Award.
The other awards presented tonight were -
U20 Toyota Cup Players’ Player Award: Jason Clark U20 Toyota Cup Best and Fairest Award: Trent Trotter John Sattler Rookie of the Year Award: Chris Sandow The Burrow Player of the Year Award: Luke Stuart Albert Clift Most Outstanding Contribution to the Club Award: Charlie Gallico Souths Cares Award for Contribution to the Community: Jamie Simpson Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year Award: Beau Champion Members' Choice Award: Luke Stuart Inaugural Coach's Award: John Sutton
North Sydney Bears NSW Cup Awards
Back of the Year: Samu Wara Forward of the Year: Yileen Gordon Most Improved Player: Daniel Sayegh Supporters' Player of the Year: Yileen Gordon Player of the Year: Greg Nichols