September 7, 2022
South Burnett Rugby League’s night of nights attracted a big crowd to Kingaroy Town Hall on Friday night.
The annual presentation night dinner, sponsored by Ken Mills Isuzu, attracted players and their family members as well as coaches and support staff.
Medals and trophies were presented to junior and senior players, referees and club officials.
The Murgon Mustangs were declared 2022 Club Champions, with the Wondai Wolves’ Michael Astill named Club Delegate of the Year.
Murgon Mustangs’ Glen Fisher took out the prestigious Player of the Year Award as well as the Top Try Scorer trophy.
Brittany Holding, who has been working hard developing women’s rugby league in the district, was named Volunteer of the Year.
Service to local rugby league by former SBRL president Greg Pomfret was also recognised with the presentation of a Life Membership.
Other 2022 major awards included:
- Senior Top Points: Harry Sterling (Kingaroy)
- Senior Top Goal Scorer: Harry Sterling (Kingaroy)
- South Burnett Encouragement Award: Zac Borninkhof
- Ken Mills Toyota Referee’s Best and Fairest Player: Karl Berlin (Murgon)
- Best Club Person: Steph Weaver
- Junior Referee for 2022: Lawson Braithwaite
- Senior Referee For 2022: Geoff Edwards
- Blake Mara Beyond the Nest Staff Appreciation Award: Nathan Prain
- Allan Trunks Beyond the Nest SBRL Values and True Spirit Award: Damon Strauf
- Bobby Cuthbertson Pride and Passion Award: Charlie Sippel
- Female Junior Eagle of the Year: Violet Whitby
- Female Senior Eagle of the Year: Elle Mollenhauer
- Junior Eagle of the Year: Lachlan Zelinski
- Senior Eagle of the Year: Connor Sullivan
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Players who took part in junior and senior representative teams were also recognised:
Zone Carnivals
- Under 35kg South Burnett Eagles took part in the Zone 5 carnival at Miles.
They took out the 2022 Athletics Carnival and were undefeated and carnival champions for 2022.
East v West representatives selected were Lakiri Renouf, Lachlan Prain, Beau Laherty and Brae Bartlett.
- Under 43kg South Burnett Eagles travelled to Cunnamulla for the U43kg carnival.
They came home with the Tug-of-War Shield and were 2022 carnival runners-up.
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South Burnett Eagles Girls & Women
Under 14s, Under 17s and Open teams took part in the Wide Bay competition.
Under 14 South Burnett Eagles earned a spot in the Grand Final at Bundaberg against the Tannum/Boyne Seagulls, unfortunately losing 20-12 in a tight game.
- Most Improved Back: Anna Christensen
- Most Improved Forward: Ayiesha Smith
- Best Back: Bella Barrett
- Best Forward: Madison Holding and Summer Sullivan
- Most Consistent: Madison Holding
- Best and Fairest: Madison Holding and Sharlece Fisher
Due to forfeits and other circumstances, footy was very limited this year for Under 17 South Burnett Eagles but they still made it to the Grand Final, losing to Bundaberg, 30-14.
- Most Improved Back: Ruby Williams
- Most Improved Forward: Ashleigh Day
- Best Back: Sadie Langton
- Best Forward: Violet Whitby and Samantha Cobbo
- Most Consistent: Abbey Renouf-Dowdle
- Best and Fairest: Violet Whitby
The South Burnett Open Women’s team began the year with many women who had not played rugby league before but they made it to the Grand Final and defeated Fraser Coast 12-10.
- Most Improved Back: Sarah Hebbel-Clarke
- Most Improved Forward: Madison Mobbs
- Best Back: Michelle Alberts and Traevonnah Fisher
- Best Forward: Elle Mollenhauer
- Most Consistent: Elyse Williams
- Best and Fairest: Holly Patton
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South Burnett Eagles Boys & Men
Under 15s, Under 16s and Under 17s took part in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League competition.
It is the second year that the South Burnett Eagles Under 15s have played in the TJRL which is a step up from the South Burnett community league.
- Most Improved Back: Liam Irwin
- Most Improved Forward: Nick Webb
- Best Back: Linx Harth
- Best Forward: Tito Bligh
- Most Consistent: Dustin Ramke
- Best and Fairest: Sebastian King
Under 16s South Burnett Eagles had a tough year in the TJRL.
- Most Improved Back: Riley Kerkow
- Most Improved Forward: Cain Coutts
- Best Back: Rohan Large
- Best Forward: Quincy Booker
- Most Consistent: Charlie Sippel
- Best and Fairest: Jack Webber
Due to a shortage of numbers, the games were tough for the Under 17s South Burnett Eagles but they played well.
- Most Improved: Harrison Sippel
- Most Consistent: Fletch Prendergast
- Best and Fairest: Bayden Alexander
The Under 17s also combined with Under 18s boys from the South Burnett to play in a five-game competition with Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, and Maryborough in an Under 18 Wide Bay Competition.
The team fought hard and were crowned winners.
- Coaches Award: Lachlan Ponder
- Best and Fairest: Lachlan Zelinski
- Most Consistent: Damon Strauf
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Wide Bay Rangers
Wide Bay Rangers representatives from the South Burnett included Andrew Champney, Barwoo Fisher, Karl Berlin, Conan Holding, Connor Sullivan, Elwyn Fewquandie, George Fisher, Jeff Vaughn, Mason Trappe, Maurice Fisher and Paddy Alberts.
- Best Back: George Fisher
- Best Forward: Karl Berlin
- Best & Fairest: Barwoo Fisher
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Wide Bay Bulls
Wide Bay Bulls representatives from the South Burnett:
- Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge – Charlie Sippel, Mathaniel Cuthbertson
- Under 17 Girls – Samantha Cobbo, Ashleigh Day, Abbey Renouf-Dowdle, Sadie Langton and Violet Whitby
- Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup – Fletch Prendergast, Lachlan Zelinski, Damon Strauf
- Under 19 Harvey Norman Cup – Phoebe Millar, Violet Whitby, Aquilla Malone, Rashida Scott, Samantha Cobbo, Destiny Conlon
- Open Women – Phoebe Millar, Jayme Hickey, Elyse Williams, Michelle Alberts, Nikkia Douglas, Abbey Templeman
