CYM-PLY THE BEST: Orange CYMS fullback Tim Bassmann took out the 2012 Group 10 Player of the Year award. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0715cyms15
“IT’S a big honour. There are some big names on that trophy.”
Tim Bassmann’s name is now alongside the biggest names of Group 10 rugby league after the electric fullback was named the premier league competition’s Player of the Year at the game’s night of night’s at Bathurst last Friday.
Bassmann polled 16 votes in the 3-2-1 system adopted by Group 10 this season, edging out Lithgow Workies skipper Jono Van Veen and dynamic Bathurst St Pat’s prop Zac Merritt, both finishing on 14 points through 16 regular season rounds.
“It got pretty close,” Bassmann said.
“It came down to the last game against St Pat’s. I think I needed one point. I got it and it got me over the line.”
Hawks custodian Joe Lasagavibau finished in a tie for fourth with outstanding young Oberon half Blake Fitzpatrick on 11 points.
CYMS player-coach Mick Sullivan was next best with 10 points.
“I think Mick (Sullivan) was shocked that he was up so high,” Bassmann said.
“It’s been a pretty good season. I haven’t been injured, which is great. I’ve played two full seasons in a row now.”
Van Veen didn’t leave the night at Bathurst Panthers League Club empty handed though, finishing the year as premier league’s leading points scorer with 21 tries and 27 goals for 138 points.
Van Veen’s 21 tries was also enough to earn the Group 10 fullback top try scorer bragging rights, ahead of Bassmann’s haul of 19.
Mudgee’s Matt Stott booted the season’s highest tally of goals, kicking 55 conversions.
Oberon mentor Wade Judd snared the Coach of the Year gong.
Blackheath’s Paletasala Ale won the Group 10 first division Player of the Year while Panthers’ Blake Lawson took home the under 18s Player of the Year award.
CSU Blue’s Blake Robinson was deemed the Centennial Coal Cup’s best in the club’s first year in the competition.
Bassmann said while it was an honour to take home the best player in the game for 2012 award, everyone within the CYMS group was solely focused on taking home the big prize against Workies in Lithgow this Sunday.
“It’s exciting (to make the grand final) especially after last week (against Lithgow). I think the boys are pretty fired up,” he said.
The Group 10 grand final is at Lithgow’s Tony Luchetti Sportsground this Sunday.