Player of the Season

Last year two names were very obvious candidates for this award Castro and the eventual winner Alesana Tullagi. Alex has failed to find the same form since returning from the World Cup and injury and Castro while turning in some storming performances and dents in the Millennium pitch has sometimes turned it on more for the Italians than Tigers this season but still gets an honorable mention. Hazza's return from injury really rules him out for a player of the season award and IMHO Mr. Goode/Bad Inconsistency again rules him out. I can only really give this award to one player, he has dominated the Lumber's Player of the Month Awards and now has enough watches to save him buying Christmas Presents for Friends and Family this year. My Player of the Season for 2007/8 would be Jordan Crane. Jordan was unlucky not to get capped during the 6N when Narraway was selected before him and should go to New Zealand this summer but will probably end up in the Churchill Cup Squad.

Young Player of the Season (must be under 23 at the start of the season)

Having not seen many Development Games this Season and the fact that the Development Team have not been that successful, limited my options in this category to youngsters I have seen play for the 1st team. Even so this was still not an easy choice. Ben Pienaar has shown what an excellent prospect for the Tigers Back Row of the future he is stepping up to the mark during the injury crisis at 7. Ben Youngs who IMHO should have been given more game time during Hazzas time out injured has shown that whilst still inexperienced he is another very promising youngster. A very close second for this award is Tom Croft who fully deserved his caps during the 6N and all Season has shown his electrifying pace and his devotion to the Tigers cause volunteering to play at lock and 7 at times during the season. My winner for the Young Player of the Season award and probably Back of the season is Johne Murphy. Johne this season has made the fullback role is own keeping out the loyal Tiger Servant Sam Vesty and also shown his versatility when switching to the wing when Geordan has been available.

Outstanding Service Award

Last Seasons winner Martin Corry would have merited a vote again this Season and it is great news to know he will be around next Season when many of the England Elite Squad will be missing. My vote for this award IMHO is probably the 2nd best player we have ever had in this position. He became part of a legendary threesome known as ABC, gave his all to the club during his time as a player and now does the same as a coach, he stepped up to the mark during the World Cup and most Saturdays I fear for the Referee advisor as this person vents his frustration from just below where I sit. My vote this year goes to Richard Cockerill.

Best Newcomer

If we had looked down the new signings at the beginning of the Season my nominee would probably not have got good odds for this award. With the likes of Aaron Mauger, Richard Blaze, Mefin Davies, Ayoola Erinle, Benjamin Kayser, Ben Herring, Boris Stankovich and a new coach in ML all arriving at the club. My nominee IMHO has outshone all these newcomers, was the form player of the first part of the season alongside Jordan would have been a candidate for Player of the Season if injury had not ruled him out over the last couple of months and clearly demonstrated his desire and frustration when not playing every week at the Members night earlier this year. My vote for Best Newcomer would go to Marco Wentzel.

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