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Tongue tops Raider for '06
Peter Fitzgerald
Thursday, 7 September 2006
It's been a memorable week for Canberra Raiders lock Alan Tongue.
He became the NRL's leading tackler on Saturday night with his 57 grassings against the Sharks taking him past the record of 1004 in one season which former Melbourne player Richard Swain set in 2001.
On Tuesday night, Tongue was a nominee for the Dally M lock of the year, only for Manly's Ben Kennedy to win the gong.
And last night, the 25-year-old redhead capped off his greatest NRL season to date by winning the Raiders Player of the Year award at the club's annual presentation dinner.
In a process where each player gave 3-2-1 votes after every match, Tongue polled 28 votes, easily ahead of last year's co-winner Troy Thompson on 19. Departing captain Clinton Schifcofske finished third with 16 votes.
Tongue finished third in last season's count behind joint winners Thompson and Josh Miller.
Tongue's award, added to his 2000 Rookie of the Year and 2003 Clubman of the Year titles, means he joins past winners including Ruben Wiki, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Brad Clyde and Gary Belcher.
Raiders coach Matt Elliott, who famously told Tongue three years ago he did not believe he would make it as a first-grader, yesterday praised his lock for another stellar season.
"I think the winning margin is an indication not only of the consistent qualities of Tonguey's performances throughout the year but also the high regard his teammates hold him in," the coach said.
"His preparation and attitude to his performances, I think everyone knows how hard he works."
Tongue remains the frontrunner to replace Schifcofske as captain next year when the incumbent joins Super 14 club the Queensland Reds.
In an exclusive player poll in the Canberra Sunday Times on August 20, 11 of the 19 players questioned voted for Tongue as their preferred skipper in 2007.
While incoming coach Neil Henry will have the final say, Penrith-bound Elliott urged the club yesterday to consider Tongue in any available leadership positions.
"It's not for me to really comment on given I won't be here, but Tonguey's definitely in a leadership role already at the club," Elliott said.
"When you talk about leadership qualities, he's so professional in everything he does."
Last night's other major award winners were Clinton Schifcofske (Coach's Award), Adrian Purtell (Rookie of the Year) and Jason Smith (Clubman of the Year).
Elliott admitted his decision to name Schifcofske as the benefactor of the Coach's Award was a difficult one but having Jason Smith as the Clubman of the Year "picked itself".
"I'm not the only one who voted for the clubman award but Smithy thoroughly deserves it," the coach said.
"If I told you the amount of times he'd come into my office and annoy the hell out of me on things like team barbecues and player welfare issues, you'd vote him as the Clubman of the Year too." Smith will leave the Raiders after 2006 to join the North Queensland Cowboys. - Peter Fitzgerald
Source http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=rugby%20league&story_id=507724&category=Rugby%20League&m=9&y=2006
Three Chears for bloodnut
Peter Fitzgerald
Thursday, 7 September 2006
It's been a memorable week for Canberra Raiders lock Alan Tongue.
He became the NRL's leading tackler on Saturday night with his 57 grassings against the Sharks taking him past the record of 1004 in one season which former Melbourne player Richard Swain set in 2001.
On Tuesday night, Tongue was a nominee for the Dally M lock of the year, only for Manly's Ben Kennedy to win the gong.
And last night, the 25-year-old redhead capped off his greatest NRL season to date by winning the Raiders Player of the Year award at the club's annual presentation dinner.
In a process where each player gave 3-2-1 votes after every match, Tongue polled 28 votes, easily ahead of last year's co-winner Troy Thompson on 19. Departing captain Clinton Schifcofske finished third with 16 votes.
Tongue finished third in last season's count behind joint winners Thompson and Josh Miller.
Tongue's award, added to his 2000 Rookie of the Year and 2003 Clubman of the Year titles, means he joins past winners including Ruben Wiki, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Brad Clyde and Gary Belcher.
Raiders coach Matt Elliott, who famously told Tongue three years ago he did not believe he would make it as a first-grader, yesterday praised his lock for another stellar season.
"I think the winning margin is an indication not only of the consistent qualities of Tonguey's performances throughout the year but also the high regard his teammates hold him in," the coach said.
"His preparation and attitude to his performances, I think everyone knows how hard he works."
Tongue remains the frontrunner to replace Schifcofske as captain next year when the incumbent joins Super 14 club the Queensland Reds.
In an exclusive player poll in the Canberra Sunday Times on August 20, 11 of the 19 players questioned voted for Tongue as their preferred skipper in 2007.
While incoming coach Neil Henry will have the final say, Penrith-bound Elliott urged the club yesterday to consider Tongue in any available leadership positions.
"It's not for me to really comment on given I won't be here, but Tonguey's definitely in a leadership role already at the club," Elliott said.
"When you talk about leadership qualities, he's so professional in everything he does."
Last night's other major award winners were Clinton Schifcofske (Coach's Award), Adrian Purtell (Rookie of the Year) and Jason Smith (Clubman of the Year).
Elliott admitted his decision to name Schifcofske as the benefactor of the Coach's Award was a difficult one but having Jason Smith as the Clubman of the Year "picked itself".
"I'm not the only one who voted for the clubman award but Smithy thoroughly deserves it," the coach said.
"If I told you the amount of times he'd come into my office and annoy the hell out of me on things like team barbecues and player welfare issues, you'd vote him as the Clubman of the Year too." Smith will leave the Raiders after 2006 to join the North Queensland Cowboys. - Peter Fitzgerald
Source http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=rugby%20league&story_id=507724&category=Rugby%20League&m=9&y=2006
Three Chears for bloodnut
