Ipswich’s best footballers, netballers honoured at magic night
The latest Ipswich Jets rugby league and netball presentation night was overflowing with tears, cheers and a standing ovation.
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Emotional tributes, farewelling club legends and rewarding the club’s finest.
The latest Ipswich Jets rugby league and netball presentation night was overflowing with tears, cheers and a standing ovation.
Retiring Intrust Super Cup stalwart Tyson Lofipo had everyone standing on their feet clapping after he spoke about what the club meant to him during his 210 matches.
He started as a 17 year old and ended his career this season as a self-proclaimed “sexy 32 year old’’.
The only Jet to have played more games than Lofipo was club icon Danny Coburn.
Lofipo was fittingly presented with the Danny Coburn Club Person award amid his farewell memories on Saturday night at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre.
Wife his wife Nat shedding tears as she joined him on stage, Tyson praised her wonderful support through his rugby league journey.
The 250 guests at the function were also overjoyed to see popular clubman and “valuable asset’’ Fred Belford receive the Keiron Lander Community Award for his years of service.
Fred performed a long list of roles for the Jets and Rugby League Ipswich during training and on game days. They included as a water runner, selector, medical adviser, firing up the team song and even entertaining the players.
He is someone always willing to help out being an important part of the Jets family.
After winning his seventh Allan Langer Medal as the Jets best player, Nat Neale shared in the incredible display of club spirit reflecting on his achievement and the club he loves.
“The Jets are a big family and it just shows in everything that was said tonight,’’ Neale said.
As for his remarkable feat winning seven Allan Langer medals in his eight years at the club, Neale displayed his treasured team values.
“I love winning accolades and stuff but to be honest what Joogs (Kierran Moseley) won tonight is probably the thing I would have loved to win - your peers acknowledgment,’’ Neale said.
Moseley received the coveted Jets Player’s Player award.
However, Neale appreciated the night’s major award after a polling battle with Moseley.
After receiving seven votes in the first four games, Neale continued to lead on 15 after 10 rounds. Moseley was on 12 points at that stage.
But when Neale was out with a facial injury, Moseley jumped to the top of the leaderboard with 18 votes, one ahead of Neale following round 15.
The duo were level on 20 votes each in the closing stages of the season before Neale finally edged ahead by two votes to retain the Allan Langer Medal he has dominated.
Neale said Moseley was a deserved Player’s Player award recipient.
“It just shows all the boys respect him,’’ Neale said.
The fearless leader said he would miss Lofipo and the other retirees - Josh Cleeland, Peter Gubb, Sebastian Pandia and Rogan Dean.
“Unfortunately their career has to end sometime,’’ he said.
Neale lived with Lofipo at different times and had an extended career with playmaker Cleeland who came through the Ipswich club ranks to win premierships in Queensland and NSW.
Neale was delighted to see Belford honoured and applauded for his lengthy commitment.
“Freddie is always the last to depart (fulfilling his multiple roles). He’s good,’’ Neale said.
“I love Freddie.’’
In acknowledging Belford’s wonderful service, club stalwart Jim Landy said he was held in the highest regard by everyone at the Jets.
“He’s always been a tremendous help to all the players throughout our community,’’ Landy said.
“He’s a terrific fella.’’
As he ponders whether to continue playing next season, Neale is still training.
On Saturday night, the respected captain was thrilled to see Tyler Coburn receive the Rookie of the Year award.
“Tyler is one of the up and coming players,’’ Neale said. “I hope the Jets can keep him here.
“He is probably someone they should be investing in for the future.’’
After being recognised for his positive year, Coburn was planning to finish his teaching studies before committing to his playing future.
“I’ll speak with the coaches and then I will decide from there,’’ Coburn said. “But most likely I will hang around for another season.’’
Coburn, 21, was thrilled to see this year’s teammate Lofipo farewelled in style after he had served at the Jets with his dad Danny.
“He (Lofipo) got to play with the two generations, which is good,’’ Tyler said.
Having almost finished his uni degree, Tyler wants to become a teacher.
“Other than that, I’m going to just keep playing footy and see where that takes me,’’ he said.
Coburn said he learnt from a testing season with the Jets, appreciating the support of the senior players.
“There were a lot of tough games where we can use that experience as well,’’ he said.
“It was not the best year but towards the end of the year, everyone came together.
“If the boys stay together, which hopefully they do, we’ll get stronger for it.
“It’s definitely a good family-orientated club.’’
Jets Colts Best and Fairest award winner Mitch Harsant said the team was keen to build on what they learnt during a tough season.
“We’ve got a young bunch of boys but we’re all pretty committed to next year and the future so it should be good,’’ Harsant said. “Hopefully we go a bit better than we did this year.’’
Harsant was among the players of the future working with co-coaches and former Jets state league players Chris Ash and Josh Seage.
“They are good coaches. They look after us and everything,’’ Harsant said.
It was Harsant’s first best and fairest award with the Jets in his debut year in Colts.
“I’m pretty honoured to be honest,’’ he said.
“I didn’t really expect it but pretty happy with it.’’
The former Ipswich Grammar student previously played rugby at school and league with the Fassifern Bombers before a two-year stint with the Jets in the Mal Meninga competition.
“League’s my focus. League is what I love,’’ he said.
Playing in the halves or back row, Harsant was pleased to see teammates Riley Morris and Tate Rhea also acknowledged.
Lock Morris was named Jets Colts Player’s Player with Rhea applauded as Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation Rookie of the Year.
“He (Morris) is an absolute animal,’’ Harsant said. “He’s a machine. He goes all day.
“He’s the hardest trainer I’ve ever trained with.’’
Harsant said backrower/front-rower Rhea also made a valuable contribution to the team.
“We’re all sort of the same age so it should be good to see us all come through,’’ Harsant said.
The close-knit and spirited USQ Jets netballers were also praised for their efforts this year.
The Jets Sapphire Series top grade team finished fourth with the club’s Ruby Series players working hard for a third-place finish. The Rubies only went down by one point in the preliminary final.
Jets Sapphires Most Valuable Player Charlie Bell had previously linked with the club’s Rubies Player of the Year Hana Barretto.
“I actually played with Hana in the 2016 SEQ competition. We were in the same team together,’’ Bell said.
“I’ve known her for a long time so it’s really special getting the same award as her tonight.’’
Bell also won last year’s MVP accolade.
“It means a lot,’’ Bell said. “That just helps my confidence as well going into next year.’’
Bell is a Queensland Firebirds prospect having played in the Australian Netball League.
As she awaits further higher level opportunities, the shooting ace typified being part of the growing team bond at the Jets club formed three years ago.
“I have always loved being part of the Jets ever since it was Lions . . . I’ve loved the team, the culture, the girls,’’ Bell said.
“It’s always been such an awesome part of my week.
“The spirit is alway so high . . . especially with the Rubies girls and Sapphires girls. We’ve been doing a lot more this season.’’
Other Sapphires Series awards winners were co-captain Stephanie O’Brien (Midcourt Player of the Year) and Bridey Condren (Player’s Player and Defence Player of the Year).
O’Brien and Condren were senior members of the Jets team.
Goal defence Barretto also enjoyed playing with Bell at SEQ level before focusing on her first year with the Jets Rubies.
“Charlie is a great shooter. She was great,’’ Barretto said, reflecting on that experience.
“We had such a good time. We played at Western Districts so we’ve basically been in the Ipswich district all our lives.’’
Barretto, 21, also played for Cougars in 2019 before accepting the Jets opportunity.
“That was like the transition coming here,’’ she said. “I do love Ipswich Jets and what they are all about.’’
The personality-charged netballer was thrilled to see her co-captain Sam Ryan collect the Player’s Player award.
“Sam is a phenomenal shooter. She is amazing on and off the court,’’ Barretto said.
Ipswich and District Athletic Club heptathlete Kiara Condon displayed her versatility on a netball court during the latest Rubies season.
The Queensland level athlete was awarded Defence Player of the Year.
“She’s been a great asset to the team . . . she’s just amazing as well,’’ Barretto said.
Naomi Solomona received the Shooter of the Year honour.
“She’s the best in our comp,’’ Barretto said. “She can get a ball in the air and just take it so well.’’
Former Ipswich Flyers player Abbey Gallagher was named the Midcourt Player of the Year.
“I actually played with Abbey when I was playing with Western Districts last year,’’ Barretto said.
“She actually called up to Jets so I was so proud of her.’’
Barretto was keen to join the Sapphires squad having seen what players like Bell have achieved.
“She’s an awesome athlete to have in your team,’’ she said.
That’s why the Rubies co-captain is keen to progress next year.
“I think I’m very settled on Jets,’’ she said.
“This is my first year here so I’m seeing what it is all about and very excited to come back if they will have me.
“I’m definitely looking to improve my netball and hopefully climb to that top team.
“We’ll see what the trials have in store for me.’’
She thanked her Rubies coach Camille Rieck for all her support.
“I love being coached by her. She’s like the gentle human,’’ Barretto said.
“It’s been awesome this season.’’
Leoni Thomas won the Jets Netball Club Spirit Award for her commitment.
In her second year with the Jets, Thomas expanded her important support roles.
“Last year I did the Rubies and then this year I did both Rubies and Sapphires,’’ she said.
On game day, Thomas records the statistics and provides feedback to the coaches.
She also does some analysis after the game to further help head coaches Tracey Jeanes-Fraser and Camille Rieck.
She appreciated the honour at the Ipswich Jets presentation night.
“It was a lovely surprise, very unexpected,’’ she said.
Having not previously played netball, Mutdapilly-based Thomas enjoyed being part of the Jets environment.
“It’s a great club and they are a lovely, lovely bunch of girls,’’ she said.
Ipswich Jets 2021 honour board
NETBALL
Sapphire Series Most Valuable Player: Charlie Bell
Sapphire Series Player‘s Player: Bridey Condren
Sapphire Series Shooter of the Year: Charlie Bell
Sapphire Series Midcourt Player of the Year: Stephanie O’Brien
Sapphire Series Defence Player of the Year: Bridey Condren
Ruby Series Most Valuable Player: Hana Barretto
Ruby Series Player’s Player: Sam Ryan
Ruby Series Shooter of the Year: Naomi Solomona
Ruby Series Midcourt Player of the Year: Abbey Gallagher
Ruby Series Defence Player of the Year: Kiara Condon
Jets Netball Club Spirit Award: Leoni Thomas
RUGBY LEAGUE
Ipswich Jets Allan Langer Medal: Nathaniel Neale
Ipswich Jets Player’s Player: Kierran Moseley
Ipswich Jets Danny Coburn Club Person: Tyson Lofipo
Ipswich Jets Rookie of the Year: Tyler Coburn
Ipswich Jets Colts Best and Fairest: Mitch Harsant
Ipswich Jets Colts Player’s Player: Riley Morris
Ipswich Jets Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation Rookie of the Year: Tate Rhea
Ipswich Jets Keiron Lander Community Award: Fred Belford
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