We're rounding out the playing group in The People's Choice Central West Rugby Union Team Of The Year with the fullbacks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Central Western Daily's experts have actually broken their own rules a little bit here, and because of how good the region's crop of custodians were this season, they've included seven nominees rather than five.
Sure, it's moving the goalposts a little bit, but have a look at the list of nominees... could you leave any of them out?
Cast your vote, or add your own nominee.
- READ MORE: Vote for the best props of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best hooker of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best second-rowers of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best flankers of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best No.8 of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best halfback of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best five-eighth of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best centres of the 2019 season
- READ MORE: Vote for the best wingers of the 2019 season
1 LILLYANN MASON-SPICE (Forbes Platypi)
Missed quite a few games throughout the season but it's just impossible to leave her out, such was her influence on the Platypi and Central West too.
In the game she did play she was unstoppable, scoring a mountain of tries and crossing for five in Forbes' landmark, 68-12 win over eventual preliminary finalists CSU Bathurst in the back end of the regular season.
Won player-of-the-tournament at the country championship after leading the Blue Bulls to an undefeated title, she's earned a nod in the AON Uni 7s this year and Rugby Australia's First Nations Sevens outfit.
Honestly, despite the stellar cast of nominations here, this one may well be a no-brainer.
2 MOA KAVAEFIAFI (Geurie Goats)
Plenty labelled him the best player in the Oilsplus Cup Northern Division this season, and that's saying something considering he's in the same backline as Filisione Pauta.
He was unbelievable though, and together with Pauta he virtually won the Goats a spot in the grand final on his own with a ridiculous performance in the preliminary final against Molong.
Has plenty of Blowes Clothing Cup experience under his belt and it shows, super-dangerous on the counter-attack.
3 NIGEL STANIFORTH (Orange Emus)
Arguably his best season since joining Emus many moons ago, although it was hampered at the back end by an untimely knee injury, that almost ended his year.
Bravely fought through it to take the field in the greens' grand final loss to Bathurst Bulldogs, although he was visibly restricted and that took its toll on the side too.
As good a leader as you'll find, if he is to get voted into this side he'll captain it, and he'll take the goalkicking duties too.
Central West coaches would love to have had him available over the last few years.
4 BRAD McCARROLL (Wellington Redbacks)
Another who didn't play the entire season, but another whom we simply can't leave out.
His influence at the back for the Redbacks simply cannot be overstated and that's largely due to his booming right boot.
He is, simply, as good a kicker as you'll find across the Central West and on a number of occasions over the last few years that's won the Redbacks games.
Shared the goalkicking duties with flanker Zach McManus at the back end of the season.
5 JOE NASH (Bathurst Bulldogs)
A Central West stalwart, Nash made the decision to shift from Parkes to Bulldogs this season and it reaped massive rewards for him, and the Bathurst side.
He's a guy every club would love to have in their side, if not for his incredible natural ability then for his versatility alone.
Played a bit on the wing early in the season but coach Dean Oxley rightfully shifted him to fullback by the end, where he played his best rugby.
For a slight man, he has an incredible abililty to break tackles and is ridiculously strong in contact, not to mention being solid as a rock.
Deservedly won a spot in the preliminary Cockatoos squad too.
6 GARRIZO GONZALO (Cowra Eagles)
Added plenty to the Eagles in their bid to go one, or two steps further than they did in 2018. The side didn't manage to, being bundled out in the preliminary final again, but Gonzalo stood tall throughout the season as one of their best.
One of the better overseas players the Eagles have welcomed in recent years, his ability to kick more than capably with both feet was a huge attribute in a side that played the territory game superbly this year.
Added plenty of spark in attack too.
7 BEN LENEHAN (Harden Red Devils)
Harden captain-coach Jack O'Connor had a habit of moving his backs around a lot, annoying for us but a real nod to their versatility. Lenehan was no different, playing a number of different positions and finishing the year in the centres.
But he's a fullback, and a good one too.
A bolt from the blue in terms of the representative stuff, he came from nowhere on the Blue Bulls' pre-season tour of New Zealand but promptly won a spot in the side's No.15 jersey.
Then he helped inspire their Caldwell Cup win, then he got named in the preliminary Cockatoos squad.
Oh... he helped Harden to a second straight grand final too.
WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS AND SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...