2014 GPS Season Headlines
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Player of the Year – Angus Crichton (Scots)
Game of the Season – Shore v. Riverview (Northbridge)
Surprise of the Season – (see above)
Try of the Season – Thomas Wright (Joeys) v. Shore
Most Valuable Player – Jum Woodhill (Shore)
[This award went to the player whose value to his team was greater than the value of any other player was to his team.]
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2014 GPS XV — Team of the Year
Here is the Green & Gold Rugby GPS Team of the Year based on play for their school in the 2014 GPS competition, and paying no regard to performances in trials or rep games, nor to how they played last year.
No thought was given to balancing a side for a fictitious rep game; nor was any regard given to how many players were chosen from any school.
Some players were not considered because of the small number of games they were able to play. We chose players in the positions they played for their school as much as was possible.
Thanks to selectors “Jasdec”, “Lee Grant”, “random2” “The Spaceman”and “Whose That Guy” for their input.
1. Melie Laimani (Newington) – There were a few loosehead props who could get around the park better but Laimani was the best scrummager and the best at making brutal tackles and dominant runs.
Honourable mention: Hosea Fotukava (Riverview)
2. Evan Pritchard (Riverview) – The ultimate workhorse for View this year. He injected considerable passion into the Blue and White from the first trial against Waverley and was rewarded when he received a call-up for the Australian Schools tour of New Zealand. One to keep an eye on when he leaves school.
3. Jakob Sedgman (Scots) – Though Sedgman played some games at hooker he was one of the few tighthead props in the competiton to cope with scrummaging, tight play and open play against all company when he wore the 3 jersey. [Note: Vunipola Fifita could not be considered because he played in so few matches and then wore the no. 8 jersey when he returned from injury.]
4. Beau Petterson (Riverview) Was a rock for View and a danger man. In every game he had an aggressive presence on and off the ball, with his bone-shattering defence, dominant ball carries and his take-no-bullshit attitude.
Honourable mention: Tom Piroddi (Newington)
5. Toby Rudolf (Scots) – The challenge we had with his selection was determining which position to name Rudolf in, since he played loosehead prop, second row and blindside flanker at various points in the season. This fellow was a brutal workhorse, and an able leader of a champion side.
6. George Lehmann (Kings) – Had the skill of a backrower but could play in the second row too. Had a big engine and rugby smarts in all aspects of forward play. Was a good lineout jumper and restart receiver—and he led the forwards well.
Honourable mention Max Girdler (Scots)
7. Jum Woodhill (Shore) – Green and Gold Rugby’s MVP for the season, because of the criteria mentioned above and because his absence would have affected his team more than the loss of any other player would have affected their side.
He was the hardest working and most passionate player in the GPS, as well as an inspiring captain. He was unlucky not to be rewarded with more representative honours, but watch out for him in the future.
8. Jack Hayson (Riverview) – One frequenter of the G&GR forum – after viewing his performance for NSW II and, then, NSW I on the same day – demanded to know the secret to his tireless workload and superb fitness levels.
To this day, we don’t know how he did it, but he carried his big engine through to the GPS and somehow managed to turn up every week and have a significant presence in each game.
Honourable mention: Charlie Smith (Scots)
9. Theo Strang (Scots) – Was a standout in the GPS, with his strength and electrifying skill, and was also a nightmare for his opposition on the snipe. He shone at getting his backline on the front foot, and executed the Scots game plan admirably with his quick delivery. A player to watch.
Honourable mention: Nicholas Duffy (Joeys)
10. Connor O’Shea (Joeys) – The all-round package of a flyhalf who grew in the position over the last twelve months. The Australian Schools no. 10 could kick long and short to effect, and pass long both ways. His running fixed defenders which made his passes more helpful to outside men.
Adjudged the runner-up MVP, O’Shea carried his team in a few games when things weren’t going well and could manage a game as though a coach was on the field. Unusually for a flyhalf, he scored the third most numbers of tries in the competition—and his goal kicking was valuable too.
Honourable mention: Jack McGregor (Riverview)
11. Matt Dowsett (Shore) – Although he ended the season playing at outside centre, he started on the wing. His speed and agility caused headaches for many teams, while his cover defence and one-on-one tackling ability made it difficult for attacking teams to make breaks in his area.
12. Angus Crichton (Scots) – Our Player of the Year, and also an Australia Schools player, was the the key to the Scot’s 2014 campaign. Crichton scored the second-most number of tries in the season and dominated most opponents despite moving from the backrow to the midfield.
Honourable mention: Latu Latunipulu (Newington)
13. Henry Hutchison (Riverview) – Despite persistent injury concerns and a few missed games, Hutcho had an impressive impact in every game he played in.
Though clocked at 10.79 for 100 metres on the track, it was his step, fend and brutal tackling that were more important in his being selected for the G&GR GPS 1st XV, as well as for Australian Schools—both for his second year. He was also difficult to dislodge over the ball, just quietly.
Honourable mention: Sepesa Loga-Tarogi (Newington)
14. Bill Freeman (Riverview) – He normally played fullback, but we decided we would move him to the wing because all wingers are second fullbacks during a game anyway. He was a steady figure for Riverview in attack and defence, and he managed all the conditions thrown at him. His kicking game was particularly good.
15. Guy Porter (Scots) – He showed freakish abilities. His non-selection for Australian Schools puzzled many people, including me, because his general backline play and attacking attitude was up there with the best.
The flair and speed plus the dynamic presence he injected with almost every touch of the ball was an essential facet of Scots‘ play this year.
Honourable mention: Thomas Wright (Joeys)
Here is a gallery of the players selected in the GPS Team of the Year
Photos by “Jasdec” and “Lee Grant”
