On more than one occasion this season Orange Emus coach Paul Ringland described fullback AJ Sykes as “very, very good” and that consistent form was rewarded last Friday night, when Sykes was voted Emus’ best.
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The wirey fullback was awarded the greens’ highest honour at the club’s presentation night, the Phil Morrisey Trophy for Emus’ most outstanding player.
That trophy came not long after he was also awarded the first grade best and fairest trophy.
In a huge boost for the greens, Sykes all but confirmed he’ll be at Emus again next year in his speech too.
“I don’t think anyone would disagree with AJ winning that award he was very good all year,” Emus club captain Nick Hughes-Clapp said.
“It was a great way to cap off another really successful year as a club.”
Hughes-Clapp picked up one of the club’s other major awards, winning the gong for highest representative honours alongside Stacey Howarth. Both represented NSW Country.
Of the other major awards Nigel Staniforth won the patron’s award, Sam Green picked up the Lou Pattinson Trophy for most promising player, Zac White claimed the best trainer award, Jayden Norris won the club’s highest try-scorer gong, Keith Howarth was named best clubman still playing, Susan Roberts won best clubperson and Tom Goolagong won the most valued Emus club member trophy.
In one of, if not the, most prestigious awards, Andrew Cosgrove won the Frank Gleeson spirit of rugby teammate of the year award.
“That award is voted on by the players for the player they most enjoy running out with so it’s probably the most coveted award we have from the players’ perspective,” Hughes-Clapp explained.
Of the other team awards Staniforth won the highest point-scorer in first grade while Hughes-Clapp and Sam McLean shared players’ player.
In second grade, Seb Backhouse won highest point-scorer and Jack Marchinton was players’ player. Marchinton also shared the best and fairest gong with Norris.
In third grade rookie flanker Brenton Anthony claimed the best and fairest gong, Matt Ripps was the highest point-scorer and Jack Clinton won players’ player.
In the womens’ grade Howarth was players’ player, Grace Frankham won best and fairest and Romy Casey was the leading point-scorer.