JYE OLSEN NAMED ROOSTERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Utility back Jye Olsen was named the Roosters’ A Grade best and fairest player of the season. Photo supplied

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Before a good crowd at the Burdekin Theatre forecourt last Friday night, utility back Jye Olsen was named the Roosters’ A Grade best and fairest player of the season.

Olsen, last season’s Blackhawks Under 19 captain, started this season at halfback before his Blackhawks teammate and last season’s A Grade player of the year, Hayde Munro, returned from an early-season injury.

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Olsen then moved to fullback, with incumbent No. 1 Adam Camer shifting to the wing.

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Olsen is an outstanding attacking player who can set up his outside men or take the line on himself. At fullback, he chimes into the backline well, while few players get past him in defence.

Olsen was pushed all the way by R L T D Back of the Year Jake O’Brien, who was named the Roosters’ best A Grade back, along with centre co-captain Jones Munro and five-eighth Mitch Brown.

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A number of forwards were also in contention for the award, including co-captain Lachlan Shepherd, outstanding front-rower Cooper Fletcher, hooker Nash Beck, Nemia Nawave and Tano Rupena.

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ROOSTERS HONOUR STARS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

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Contributed with thanks by Brian Carnes

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This season, the club welcomed experienced forward Ron Geia to Reserve Grade from Palm Island.

The nuggety hooker committed himself to the club, travelling from the Island for training every Thursday.

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He proved a tough opponent at hooker and came off the bench in A Grade on a couple of occasions.

Ron was named the Mike Horan Reserve Grade Player of the Year, beating R L T D Best Back Dylan Doak, who also claimed that honour locally.

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Under 19 halfback Chad Fraser has had an outstanding year wearing the No. 7 jersey for the Under 19 team, which went all the way to the grand final.

Fraser, who also played a couple of A Grade games, was recently named the R L T D Under 19 Player of the Year.

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He followed that award by taking home the Jim Eathorne Memorial as the Roosters’ best Under 19 player.

Young forward Cooper Fletcher joined the club for Club of Origin last November, playing for Colts.

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The former Bowen front-rower, who played for Ignatius Park College, featured in every A Grade game this season and was one of the best players on the paddock on numerous occasions.

He was named the club’s Rookie of the Year, winning the Des and Betty Weaver Memorial.

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Cooper has also attracted the attention of the Townsville Blackhawks, signing to play with the club next season while remaining dual-registered with the Burdekin.

The club also has two prestigious awards remembering past club officials, Norm Dee and Norm Bohl.

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The Norm Dee Award, originally donated by Kevin Muspratt, is presented to a player who not only stands out on the field but is also a valuable club member off the paddock.

Co-captain Jones Munro was a worthy recipient, proving a damaging player on the field while giving plenty off it, including running the Queens Hotel Goose Club.

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The Norm Bohl Award, donated by the Bohl family, recognises a volunteer who stands out for their commitment to the club.

President Alex Lennox said there were many people who freely gave their time to the club without seeking recognition.

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The winner came down to two people who could not be separated – Vicki and Ashley Smith.

Vicki took on the role of canteen convenor, preparing everything for game days, volunteering at the gate, helping out at Ladies Day, selling drink tickets and assisting Ann Marie and Clinton Dale at the Crown Hotel Goose Clubs.

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Ashley helps his wife prepare the canteen, assists Clinton Dale and Paul Horan in the bar, serves as the club’s F.A.O. on game days and also helps at the Crown Hotel Goose Clubs.

Other award winners will be honoured in later editions of Burdekin Life.

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Club of Origin will be played at Bendigo Bank Park on Saturday 5th December, with a day of football, family fun and entertainment, including fireworks and children’s rides.

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