Nambour Crushers rugby league player Jackson Gisinger crowned best forward
Crushers star Jackson Gisinger says it’s a ‘bittersweet’ feeling being crowned the region’s best rugby league forward, as he prepares to say a difficult farewell.
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Nambour Crushers rugby league talent Jackson Gisinger has been crowned Sunshine Coast’s best forward after finishing fifth in the statewide voting.
With more than 100 nominees in the Queensland rankings, Gisinger finished behind Eni Folau, Josh Abbott, Kelly Shadlow and eventual winner Tyson Burke-Phineasa.
The 23-year-old said he was humbled to earn the prestigious nod, despite it being his first season with the club.
“I’m bloody stoked, but I don’t play footy for the accolades,” he said.
“I’d say it really shows how much a positive club culture can boost your performance on the field.
“The way Nambour welcomed me – between the coaches, players, volunteers and especially the bar staff – it’s such a family orientated club that I think had a lot to do with how I represented the badge last season.
“Footy is a bit of a pastime but it means a great deal for me to even be considered for that title on the Sunshine Coast, and to take it out it’s nothing but smiles all around.”
The former Burleigh Bears and Mudgeeraba Redbacks player, who began playing rugby league when he was just five, said he enjoyed being a team player.
“Whether it’s a heavy hit-up, a big tackle or even cover defence I’m willing to be anywhere to help my team and I just get around the boys whenever I can,” he said.
The award comes after Haydin Elsebach (Gympie Devils) and Dakota Tolhurst (Kawana Dolphins) were also recognised among Queensland’s best.
The concreter by trade said it was a bittersweet moment, as he wouldn’t be lacing up the boots for the Crushers in 2023, instead relocating to Grafton for work.
He said he hoped to find a new club soon and had no immediate plans to make a career out of the sport.
“Don’t get me wrong, if someone offered me a deal I wouldn’t say no, but I think there’s more to life than just footy and I think that’s why I liked my time at Nambour,” he said.
“They wanted you to be a good footy player but wanted you to be a good person, too.”
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