ROOSTERS HONOUR PLAYERS AT ANNUAL PRESENTATION NIGHT

The U19s Burdekin Roosters in action. Photo supplied

‍

Contributed with thanks by Brian Carnes

‍

Players from A grade, reserves and under-19s were recognised at the club’s annual presentation night, held at the Burdekin Theatre Forecourt recently.

Before presenting the player awards, Club President Alex Lennox acknowledged several players who had reached significant game milestones for the club: Dylan Doak (128 games), Tate Brombal (121), Caleb Noah (119), Lachlan Shepherd (96) and Jones Munro (87).

‍

Coach Steve Lansley said the club had used 40 players in A grade throughout the season, including North Queensland Cowboys allocations and a player from the Townsville Blackhawks.

The squad included five Cowboys under-21 allocations, Blackhawks player Dudley Dotoi, 11 regular reserve-grade players, five members of the under-19 grand final team and 18 regular A-grade players.

‍

Lansley also highlighted the impact of injuries, with Tate Brombal suffering a serious knee injury early in the season, while Nick Brown and Hayde Munro returned later after recovering from similar injuries sustained last season.

‍

A-grade award winners were: most improved, Cooper Fletcher; most consistent, Nemia Nawave; most diligent, Nash Beck; players' player, Nick Brown; coaches' award, Mitch Brown; best back, Jake O'Brien; best forward, Lachlan Shepherd; and player of the year, Jye Olsen.

‍

O'Brien also received the best back award in the Rugby League Townsville District competition.

Reserve-grade award winners were: most improved, Adam Prior; most consistent, Harvey Horan; most diligent, Braedyn Di Bella; players' player, Ron Geia; coaches' award, Luca Lago; best back, Dylan Doak; best forward, Ron Geia; and Mike Horan Award – Player of the year, Ron Geia.

‍

Doak also received the best back award in the Rugby League Townsville District competition.

Under-19 award winners were: most improved, Romeo Waem; most consistent, Mason Kiehne; most diligent, Riley Smith; players' player, Jack Power; coaches' award, Jacob Drain; best back, Kirk Viero; best forward, Tyce Cursio; and Jim Eathorne Memorial Award – Under-19 Player of the year, Chad Fraser.

‍

Fraser also received the under-19 player of the year award in the Rugby League Townsville District competition.

‍

Special awards

Jake O'Brien received the John and Diane Calder Award for most tries in A grade, finishing the season with 11. The competition record remains 29, held by Damien Quinn.

Kobe Geia was named the most outstanding junior after a standout season that included selection in the North Queensland under-19 schoolboys team, the Townsville Blackhawks and a Queensland Cup match featuring the North Queensland Cowboys under-18s against the Brisbane Broncos.

‍

Geia has also recently signed with the Wests Tigers' SG Ball Cup team for 2027.

Cooper Fletcher received the Des and Betty Weaver Rookie of the Year award and has recently signed with the Townsville Blackhawks.

‍

Jones Munro received the Norm Dee Memorial Player Award, while Ash and Vicki Smith were recognised with the Norm Bohl Volunteer of the Year award.

Lennox closed the evening by thanking the club's volunteers for their tireless work throughout the season.

‍

He also took the opportunity to thank the club’s sponsors, acknowledging their support throughout the season.

“Without the support of these great sponsors, the club would not exist,” Lennox said.

‍

Sponsors recognised included naming rights sponsor Queens Hotel, grounds sponsor Community Bank of Ayr and Home Hill, and team sponsors Burdekin Tyre Service (A grade), Griggs Haulage (reserves) and Intersport (under-19s).

‍

Gold sponsors were Dotty Daisy, Midway Limited, Butcher on Queen, Brown and Hurley and Fallon Constructions, while silver sponsors included Wilmar, North Queensland Custom Signwriting, Iyah Farming, Don West Toyota, North Queensland Green Solutions, Conquest Business Solutions, and Laser Electrical.

‍

Bronze sponsors were Hayward Hydraulics, Alliance Pharmacy, Delta Physio Clinic and North Queensland Hard Facing.

It was also noted that Don West Toyota, Eathornes Intersport and Burdekin Tyre Service had each supported the club for 30 years.

‍

Lennox also thanked the Ladies Day Committee – Mel Horan, Yolanda Olsen, Emily Nash, Akeilah Thommason and Melissa Lammon – for organising a successful function, along with event sponsors North Queensland Green Solutions and Burdekin Distillery.

‍

Upcoming events

The club's annual general meeting will be held at the Queens Hotel on 15th November at 4pm, with all positions declared vacant.

The Club of Origin event, featuring Colts, Brothers, Home Hill Devils and Hornets, will be held at Bendigo Bank Park on December 5 from 2.30pm.

The family-friendly event will include food vans, children's entertainment, live music from 9pm and fireworks.