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Matt Hodgson has become the first player in Emirates Western Force history to receive the coveted West Australian Rosendorff Rolex Player of the Year honour twice.
It is back to back awards for the versatile Hodgson who built on his brilliant 2009 campaign with a stellar 2010 season in which he was the only Force player to start every game and not be substituted. He also secured his 50th Super Rugby appearance and maiden Wallabies cap this year.
Hodgson accumulated 236 votes in a thrilling count at Burswood’s Grand Ballroom as inspirational Emirates Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe challenged all the way to finish just 6 votes behind in second place.
“It’s a huge honour to win the Player of the Year back to back and to again be recognised by your peers for the effort you put in. It honestly comes as a surprise to me after some great individual performances in the team,” Hodgson said.
“The likes of Nathan Sharpe, who once again was a fantastic leader and performer, and also David Pocock who made a huge difference to the squad when he came back from injury, both would have been worthy recipients.
“I’m really humbled to accept the award.
“This was definitely the hardest Super 14 campaign I’ve ever been involved in, particularly those first seven or so games with so many quality players out of action.
“While injury did hurt the team it enabled us to blood a lot of young players so when we had our full compliment on deck we were able to show what we could do in the latter part of the season. We’re moving forward and with the expanded comp we’ll need a bigger group to perform and the introduction of so many players this season is only going to help us.
“Being able to take on more of a leadership and guidance role was something I really enjoyed. I think that improved my rugby as well and I hope to continue with that next year.
“The biggest highlight for me though was the way the team got through those troublesome times and came out the other side together. A lot of teams would have gone into their shell and lost morale and energy for the whole year but we kept showing up each week and I don’t think there were many games that we weren’t in the contest for long periods of time,” said Hodgson.
The 29 year old is also the only player since the clubs inception to receive both the Player of the Year and Force Man award in the same season. It is the third time Hodgson has been named Force Man, a recognition given to the player deemed to best represent the team’s values in all that they do both on and off the field.
The absence of fellow backrowers David Pocock and Richard Brown saw Hodgson take on added responsibility and he went about his duties with a customary no fuss attitude.
“Matt is committed in everything he does and was one of the players that really drew strength from the situation we faced during the season and that was reflected in his performance,” Head Coach John Mitchell said.
“His preparations never wavered and he never held back physically. His mental resilience throughout that period enabled him to regenerate and perform to the highest standard. That set an example from which the squad could draw inspiration.”
Hodgson was presented with a magnificent Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date in 18ct yellow gold and steel valued at $13,830 which was kindly donated by Rosendorff and Rolex who, along with The West Australian newspaper, have supported the award since 2006.
“A Rolex timepiece epitomises achievement and success, so it is a highly fitting prize for Matt,” said Luanne Shneier, Rosendorff Marketing Manager.
In other awards presented on Friday night Sharpe was voted the Emirates Western Force Members’ MVP. The Force captain again led from the front and enjoyed a standout season in which he elevated his performances to yet another level of excellence.
Ben McCalman’s brilliant debut season saw him take out the Rising Star award. The rookie forward appeared in all 13 matches where he played a variety of roles in the backrow while also on occasion partnered Sharpe at lock. His impressive performances saw him earn a call-up to the Australian Barbarians where he started in two tour matches against England.
Vice Captain Pocock enjoyed a barnstorming finish to 2010 with a third placing in The West Australian Rosendorff Rolex Player of the Year despite missing five matches with a finger tendon injury. Teenage star James O’Connor and scrumhalf Brett Sheehan rounded out the top five.
2010 Award Winners
Player of the Year: Matt Hodgson
Force Man: Matt Hodgson
Members’ MVP: Nathan Sharpe
Rising Star: Ben McCalman
2010 West Australian Rosendorff Rolex Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Award – Top 10
1. Matthew Hodgson: 236
2. Nathan Sharpe: 230
3. David Pocock: 205
4. James O'Connor: 144
5. Brett Sheehan: 101
6. David Hill: 86
7. Ben McCalman: 81
8. Pek Cowan: 80
9. (Tied) Mitch Inman & Ryan Cross 78
10. Tim Fairbrother 61
EWF Player of the Year Honour Roll
2010 – Matt Hodgson
2009 – Matt Hodgson
2008 – Ryan Cross
2007 – Matt Giteau
2006 – Scott Staniforth
FACT FILE – Matt Hodgson
Position: Backrow
Age: 29 (Born 25/6/1981 in Sydney, NSW)
Super 14 Caps: 56 (all with the Emirates Western Force)
Super 14 Points: 15 (3t)
Super 14 Debut: 2006 v Brumbies, Perth
Wallabies Caps: 2
Representative Honours: Australian U21s 2001, Australian Sevens 2004-2005 & 2008, Australia A 2005 & 2008, Australian Barbarians 2010, Australian Wallabies* 2009 & 2010 (*first cap v Fiji at Canberra Stadium 5/6/2010)
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