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Versatile backrower Matt Hodgson has been rewarded for his outstanding 2009 season by winning The West Australian Rosendorff Rolex Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Award.
The award was announced tonight at the Emirates Western Force Awards Evening at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth.
The 28-year-old won a magnificent Rolex Submariner wrist watch, valued at $12,370 and kindly donated by Rosendorff and Rolex.
Hodgson, who signed a two-year contract extension in January that will see him remain with the club until the end of 2011, polled 286 votes to finish ahead of flyhalf Matt Giteau and flanker David Pocock. Giteau and Pocock were separated by just three votes for second place.
The ultra-consistent Hodgson played all 13 games during the 2009 Investec Super 14, and was a key part of the formidable backrow contingent along with Pocock, Richard Brown and Tamaiti Horua.
Hodgson was selected in the Wallabies squad for the 2009 June Tests, and played his first game for the senior national side against the Barbarians.
A shoulder injury suffered in that game ruled Hodgson out of the Tests against Italy and France, but he was selected in the squad for the Tri-Nations announced by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on Thursday.
Teenage Wallaby James O’Connor finished fourth in the count, with NSW-bound winger Drew Mitchell rounding out the top five.
A typically humble Hodgson said it was a happy surprise to be named the club’s Player of the Year.
“Winning as a team is obviously the goal, but having said that it is rewarding to have your efforts to be recognised by your peers,” Hodgson said.
“I was pretty satisfied with my form, but we had some terrific individual performers this year so it was a shock to even be in the mix really.
“I know that all the boys would swap an individual honour for a chance to play finals. Unfortunately we just couldn’t get over the line in some close games this year, which probably cost us a top four berth in the end.”
Already looking to the future, Hodgson said that he was excited about the 2010 season for several reasons.
“We have probably under-performed in the past few years,” he said.
“Next year we will have a different looking squad, but it will still have class at every position. The club has recruited well, with Andre Pretorius, Matt Dunning, Brett Sheehan, Nic Henderson and Tim Fairbrother all quality players capable of playing at international level.
“Of course, playing at a rectangular venue will be something new for our fans. The crowd makes so much noise at a big stadium like Subiaco Oval; it will be brilliant to have that support in more intimate surrounds.”
Hodgson is the fourth different winner of the award, joining Scott Staniforth, Giteau and Ryan Cross in claiming the club’s most prestigious individual prize.
He thanked The West Australian, Rosendorff and Rolex for their generous sponsorship of the award.
Other award winners:
• Force Man: Pek Cowan
• Members’ MVP: David Pocock
• Rising Star: James O’Connor
2009 The West Australian Rosendorff Rolex EWF Player of the Year Award – Top 10
1. Matt Hodgson – 286 votes
2. Matt Giteau – 226 votes
3. David Pocock – 223 votes
4. James O’Connor – 141 votes
5. Drew Mitchell – 117 votes
6. Josh Valentine – 111 votes
7. Cameron Shepherd – 106 votes
8. Pek Cowan – 90 votes
9. Nathan Sharpe – 83 votes
10. Tamaiti Horua – 74 votes
FACT FILE – Matt Hodgson
Position: Backrow
Physical: 184cm, 100kg
Age: 28 (Born 25/6/1981 in Sydney, NSW)
Super 14 Caps: 43
Super 14 Points: 5 (1t)
Super 14 Debut: 2006 v Brumbies, Perth
Representative Honours: Australian U21s 2001, Australian Sevens 2004-2005 & 2008, Australia A 2005 & 2008, Australian Wallabies 2009.
EWF Player of the Year Honour Roll
2009 – Matt Hodgson
2008 – Ryan Cross
2007 – Matt Giteau
2006 – Scott Staniforth
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Well-deserved!
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