By PETER ROWE
On the evening of August 28, three days before the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership final, another name will be added to a distinguished roll of honour.
34 names are already honoured over a 37-year period since 1988. One triple recipient and two other double winners. Plus two years, 1995 and 2019, when it was shared.
As well as a brief two-year period of Rothmans and the Brice Trophy before that, the award for the best and fairest in WA goes back to 1948 when Cottesloe’s John Pope was the inaugural recipient.
There has been a long list of great players since, South Perth’s Isaac Thomas being the triple winner in 2004, 2006 and 2007; Kere Parata a double winner in 1996 and 97 and North Beach’s Tryone Cranston in 2011 and again in 2016.
South Perth’s Brad O’Connor and Mossman-Cottesloe’s Daryl Walker shared the honour in 1995, and Daniel Green and Jeremy Wallace again in 2019.
Players still on the park today include Wallace (North Beach), Green, Delane Edwards, Taurean Sheehan, Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards and current Fremantle captain Duane Butler.
But whose name will be added to that illustrious list for 2024?
When asked for their thoughts the current coaches and leaders at today’s premiership clubs came up with an interesting list of names.
One or two names immediately stand out, but we will leave them to later. Let’s look at all the possibilities first.
At South Perth, and despite their poor season, Corban Daniels has stood out. Daniels though has missed quite a few games because of work commitments and for that reason will not have racked up enough points to be a contender.
Back rower Ethan Gourgaud has also been solid for the Lions and has led from the front, and the ever reliable Harry DeBique has turned up every week, but 2024 doesn’t look like a Ken Allen year for the club.
Ethan Gourgaud – South Perth Lions (Photo – Carmel Potter-Green)
At Joondalup, where they have also faced issues with work commitments, there are one or two contenders, maybe three.
Gus Marshall’s kicking and leadership on the field has been exemplary and he may well be in the running. Fullback Travis Haney has been quality all season, although he has missed a few games, as has hooker River Coleman.
The Giants have had a mixed season, finishing fourth on the ladder, but have tested all their opposition, with some great results, notably a big win at home to end Rockingham’s early season form and then a victory on the final day of the regular season at Fremantle.
River Colman – Joondalup Giants (Photo – Tom Campbell)
At Rockingham, player-coach Tom Murphy could have been a contender, but injury kept him out for a month. Forward Ben Bolth has been back to his best and Logan Barclay’s form in the centres will undoubtably see him selected for State again this year.
2022 winner Keelyn-Tuuta Edwards has played every game and is a contender – slotting in at a number of positions, forward, halfback and lock as well as kicking plenty of points.
Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards – Rockingham Sharks (Photo – Libby McMillan)
Fremantle’s season started slowly but once they found their structure they pushed their way through – albeit losing the minor premiership in Round 18 to North Beach.
Last year’s winner Duane Butler has led from the front, as has player-coach Delane Edwards, although a suspension late in the season may well see him drop out of the running.
Big forward Julian Wilson-Wyllie is another contender after a solid season at the Roosters, with Paora Kemp and Nick Riggs also playing starring roles.
Julian Wilson-Wylie – Fremantle Roosters (Photo – Liam Sallur)
At North Beach, with a new-look side to the one that won the premiership last season, there are several standouts.
Young halfback Darius Rogers looks like becoming as good as older brother Josh some say better – and this young man is not 18 until next month.
Korey Craig is undoubtably the best fullback of this year’s competition, slotting into the role after injury to Bailey Millar.
The young Kiwi, who could play for Great Britain, because of his grandfather’s heritage, at the Harmony Nines later this year, has been revelation, guiding the Sea Eagles to the minor premiership.
Korey Craig – North Beach Sea Eagles (Photo – Carmel Potter-Green)
But who, from that long list of contenders, will emerge as the best of 2024?
Of course it’s not down to me, or you, or even the players. The referees will add up their points form every game and determine that.
Of all those mentioned a mere handful stand out from the names provided by our coaches and team officials.
Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards, Julian Wilson-Wyllie, Gus Marshall, Logan Barclay, Darius Rogers and Korey Craig.
On August 28 all will be revealed.
