ELLIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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ELLIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR
By Wayne Cousins
Friday, October 02, 2009

International second-rower Gareth Ellis has today been named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for 2009.

Ellis played 22 matches in his first season in the NRL after leaving Leeds Rhinos in the English Super League.

The Great Britain forward added plenty of starch to the Wests Tigers pack with his bone crunching defence and created havoc with his offloads. He is contracted to Wests Tigers for two more seasons.
Ellis is now preparing to play for Great Britain in the Four Nations tournament.

“When I arrived at Wests Tigers, I came in awe of some of the players that I now play alongside. It is just fantastic to be playing out there with the players that I do,’’ Ellis said.

“I’m a much better player than when I stared out and that is down to the coaching staff. They have been brilliant in the way they have taught me things I didn’t know before.

“It was a tough year in that we didn’t make the finals but I really do feel the club is going in the right direction. Some of the talent here is second to none. Once we get it right on the field, and I sure we will, I just can’t see the top eight being too far away from us.

“It has been a memorable year for me and I am really looking forward to getting stuck into next year and doing well for the Wests Tigers.’’
Ellis also took out the Wests Tigers Members Players of the Year award, announced by member William Stewart in front of more than 1100 people at a sold out Wests Tigers annual Grand Final luncheon at Le Montage Function Centre in Leichhardt.

Former Wests Tigers captain Jarrod McCracken presented the Iron Men awards to utility John Morris and prop Todd Payten for playing all 24 matches.

Morris, signed to Cronulla next year, played all 72 games during his three year stint at Wests Tigers, becoming the second player to achieve the feat behind former premiership winning captain and half-back Scott Prince.

Assistant Coach Peter Gentle presented the Rookie of the Year award to centre Blake Ayshford. The talented young Ayshford scored eight tries in 15 matches and with Dean Collis moving to the Sharks, will be keen to secure a starting centre position in 2010.

The Noel Kelly Medal for best forward was awarded to hooker Robbie Farah. The inspirational captain scored eight tries in 21 matches and his outstanding form saw him represent NSW in Origin 1 and 2.

The Keith Barnes Medal for best back went to five-eighth Benji Marshall, who produced one of his finest seasons in the NRL. Marshall scored eight tries in 23 matches and created havoc with his passing and running game. He is now preparing to represent New Zealand in the Four Nations.

Winger Taniela Tuiaki was presented with an award for finishing as the team’s top tryscorer. The powerful winger set a new club record for most tries in a season (21 tries in 22 games) and equalled Daniel Fitzhenry’s record of most tries for the club (43).

Forward Corey Payne was presented with the Wests Tigers Community Award by Wests Tigers only life member David McArdle. Payne is also the club’s nomination for the Ken Stephens Medal after outstanding work in raising funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital and in supporting other charities.

Wests Tigers 2009 Award Winners

Player of the Year: Gareth Ellis.

Keith Barnes Medal for Best Back: Benji Marshall.

Noel Kelly Medal for Best Forward: Robbie Farah.

Rookie of the Year: Blake Ayshford.

Iron Men (played all 24 games): John Morris, Todd Payten.

Top tryscorer: Taniela Tuiaki.

Wests Tigers Members Player of the Year: Gareth Ellis.

Wests Tigers Community Champion: Corey Payne.

 

[NJLM78]

Congratulations to Gareth and all of those awarded. He certainly has had an impact this year. Hoping that it continues in 2010.

 

[Zaibatsu]

Much deserved, well done Gareth

 

[PYMBLEPETE]

Couldn't have been anyone else. He has been a joy to watch this year.

 

[steven_tiger]

Assistant Coach Peter Gentle presented the Rookie of the Year award to centre Blake Ayshford. The talented young Ayshford scored eight tries in 15 matches and with Dean Collis moving to the Sharks, will be keen to secure a starting centre position in 2010.

Good news. He could become a very handy centre IMO. Did a great job there this year.

 

[simonthetiger]

I think all those awards were spot on…...great choices imo.

 

[Hit_or_Miss]

Ellis really deserved. Well in mate. Top Stuff

 

[alexaki]

Well Done Gareth…you deserved it by a country mile...great buy by the club and I hope he stays a Tiger for many years to come

 

[TigersFan4Life]

Just wondering, how does Robbie get forward of the year but Ellis gets player of the year? Last time I checked, Ellis is a forward. How could he be the best player but not the best forward?

 

[quintus]

Gareth won both of the major awards as player of the year. The player of the year can be a back or a forward so I would say that the player of the year is ineligible to be nominated for the lesser award as best back or forward. I'm only guessing but it seems the logical explanation?

 

[innsaneink]

You simply seperate them….why do people need to be so technical...such a big deal for so many, who cares?!!

I think Tuiaki wouldve gone close to back of the year

 

[anderson_silva]

You simply seperate them….why do people need to be so technical...such a big deal for so many, who cares?!!

I think Tuiaki wouldve gone close to back of the year

yeah but tuiaki wouldnt have done what he done without benji there, our left side attack was so lethal this season we need to balnce that up next year

 

[innsaneink]

You could say the same about any one player picking up an individual award in a team sport.

 

[gct]

Well done Elmo! Also NRL Buy of the Year by the length of the straight, if they had an award for it.

 

[crouching_tiger]

Marshall was robbed of this award(Player of the Year) IMO. Easily the best player of the year, and looking at the highlights reel at the GF lunch, it was clearly evident on his much improved confident form. Tuiaki was clearly the best Back of the Year with his achievements on breaking a couple of records and his Dally M award. Would be a toss up between Farah and Ellis for Forward of the Year IMO.