Staniforth a force to be reckoned with

[NewsBot]

Exciting try-scoring centre Scott Staniforth has won The West Australian/Rosendorff/Rolex Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Award.

The award was formally announced tonight (Saturday 3rd June) at the Emirates Western Force End of Year function at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth, attended by more than 900 people.

The fast and powerful 28 year old is the first player to win the award, a magnificent Rolex Daytona watch valued at $16,000 kindly provided by Rosendorff jewellers and Rolex.

Staniforth finished on 19 points, ahead of Emirates Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe on 15 points and fellow Wallaby squad member Cameron Shepherd on 10.

Tonight’s award follows his equal-second placing in this year’s Tooheys New Australian Super 14 Player of the Series Award, announced on Wednesday.

Staniforth had a stunning season for the Emirates Western Force, scoring nine tries and winning reselection – four years after his last Wallaby appearance – in the Australian squad.

The No.12, who switched to inside centre from the wing in round 4 of the Super 14 series, played three times for the Wallabies early in his career, debuting with two tries against the USA in the 1999 World Cup.

He joined the Perth team from English club London Irish in December, where he also earned the Player of the Year award.

The highlight of his season was possibly a trio of tries in the Emirates Western Force’s 34-34 draw against the Cats in Johannesburg on April 28 or the match-winning try against the Cheetahs in Kimberley the following week.

Staniforth said it was a great thrill and honour to win the award, and he thanked Rossendorff jewellers, The West Australian newspaper, Rolex and Meads Restaurants.

“It’s a great privilege to win this award, particularly with it being voted on by my peers, the players, and with this being the club’s first year.”

2006 The West Australian/Rosendorff/Rolex Player of the Year Award – Vote Recipients

Scott Staniforth 19
Nathan Sharpe 15
Cameron Shepherd 10
Scott Fava 8
Dave Pusey 5
Matt Hodgson 5
Richard Brown 4
James Hilgendorf 3
Brendan Cannon 2
Digby Ioane 2
Tai McIsaac 2
Haig Sare 1
Angus Scott 1
Chris O'Young 1

Source: Scrum.com

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In other news, RugbyWA Chairman Geoff Stooke has won the 2006 Western Australian Citizen of the Year Sport Award for outstanding voluntary service to rugby in WA (Story on RugbyWA Site

[Sagerian]

What's everyone's reaction to this? There were quite a few people saying he didn't deserve the award after his suspension, I'm wondering if everyone is able to look past that now.

Personally, I think he does deserve it, he played well in a squad that (for obvious reasons) lacked unity.

[frontrow]

Definately a well earned award, and voted on not by so called experts, but by his peers. Good luck to him, so what if he copped a suspension, it wasn`t for the BEST and FAIREST was it....just the best.

[littleleck]

Yeh couldn't agree more. The suspension was just one less week in which he could gain some more points. By the look of the voting above, he didn't need them. Just hope he can now go all the way and get a selection somewhere in that Wallaby Backline. Can't say i am particularly excited about the prospect of Roger's defending at No12

[Shaun]

Stanners of the way!

[Shaun]

*all the way* soz

[The Duke]

He fully deserves the award. In my view he was the best (and most complete) No 12 in the Super 14 comp this year. Superb on attack and a rock in defence! Can't see why he should not start for for the Wallabies.

[Moses]

holy crap... a $16,000 watch!

[The InnFORCEr]

holy crap... a $16,000 watch!

What do they give your best Tah?

Legal representation?

[Sagerian]

What do they give your best Tah?

Coke.

[Happy]

What do they give your best Tah?

Legal representation?

15 grams

[Darren]

First XV

[ruzfah]

I think it's a thrill for Stani. setting a precedent for future Western Force players. Well done Stani

[Happy]

welcome ruzfah, don't forget to head into the introductions and post a bit about yourself!