Fremantle Roosters’ Back Rower Samson Graham took out WA Rugby League’s highest individual award, the Ken Allen Medal announced at last Friday night’s annual awards function at Pan Pacific Perth.
He had a very consistent season and after polling well with six votes in the final four games of the year, finishing with 21 votes ahead of second placed Matthew Doeg on 17 and Ben Taylor on 15, both from the North Beach Sea Eagles. Going into the silent final four rounds the three players were separated by just one vote with the tally at 15 and 14.
Samson enjoyed a good season for the Roosters and was a major reason for the club’s climb up the ladder and into the grand final. It was some consolation for their close loss last week to Premiers North Beach.
He also represented Western Australia in the successful defense of the National title in June, and was selected in the National Affiliated States team, which will visit Tonga for two tests later this month.
Other awards presented included the Highest Try Scorer which was a tie between Jonathan Presley also of Fremantle and Ben Taylor of North Beach with 18. Caleb Reedy of Rockingham took out the award for Highest Goal Scorer (71 plus a field goal) and Highest Points Scorer with 195.
For the first time, Western Australian Rugby League announced the Harvey Norman Team of the Year which recognises the highest awarded players in their respective positions. This will become part of the annual awards presentation.
2012 Harvey Norman Team of the Year
Fullback: Delane Edwards, Fremantle Roosters
Winger: Alan Cowen, Rockingham Sharks
Centre: Ben Taylor, North Beach Sea Eagles
Five-eighth: Caleb Reedy, Rockingham Sharks
Halfback: Jonathon Presley, Fremantle Roosters
Hooker: Matthew Doeg, North Beach Sea Eagles
Prop: Josh Simms, Rockingham Sharks
Back Row: Samson Graham, Fremantle Roosters
Lock: Isaac Thomas, South Perth Lions
Coach: Ryan Gundry, North Beach Sea Eagles
The awards capped off an exciting year for Rugby League in WA, both on and off the field.
During the evening two stalwarts of the game were awarded Life Membership of the Western Australian Rugby League joining a now elite group of 17 who have provided service to the game.
The recipients were Noel Williams and Harry Brankstone, both who have been involved since the 1950s and are still active in the game.
Ken Allen Medal Final Leader Board
Samson Graham, Fremantle Roosters (21 points polled)
Matthew Doeg, North Beach Sea Eagles (17 points polled)
Ben Taylor, North Beach Sea Eagles (15 points polled)
Josh Simm, Rockingham Sharks (14 points polled)
Isaac Thomas, South Perth Lions (13 points polled)
First Grade
Highest Try Scorer : Jonathan Presley, Fremantle Roosters and Ben Taylor, North Beach Sea Eagles (18 Tries)
Highest Goal Scorer: Caleb Reedy, Rockingham Sharks (71 Goals / 1 Field Goal)
Highest Pointscorer: Caleb Reedy, Rockingham Sharks (195 Points)
Reserve Grade
Highest Try Scorer: Rhys Peakman, Willagee Bears (17 Tries)
Highest Goal Scorer: Anthony Piggott, South Perth Lions (46 Goals)
Highest Pointscorer: Kani Soloman, North Beach Sea Eagles (172 Points)
Player of the Year: Rhys Peakman, Willagee Bears (27 Votes)
Women’s League Tag
Highest Try Scorer: Shanaaz Te-Ahuru, Fremantle Roosters and Ardrea Abraham, Joondalup Giants (21 Tries)
Highest Goal Scorer: Katrina Barker, Kalamunda Bulldogs (34 Goals)
Highest Pointscorer: Lauren Chambers, Fremantle Roosters (126 Points)
Player of the Year: Cheryl-Anne McCann, South Perth Lions (18 Votes)
Other Awards
Rising Star Award: Brenton Cowen, Rockingham Sharks
Women’s Representative Player: Michelle Bayne, Rockingham Sharks
Senior Representative Player: Eddie Proudler, South Perth Lions
Club Champions: Rockingham Coastal Sharks