USC Barbarians flanker Matt Lieder voted the region‘s best

USC Barbarians talent Matt Lieder has been crowned the Sunshine Coast‘s best a-grade player after a mammoth vote. See what he said about the nod.

USC Barbarians rugby union talent Matt Lieder has been crowned the Sunshine Coast’s best first-grade player after finishing fifth in the Queensland-wide voting.

Toowoomba Rangers’ John Vinson and Townsville Brothers’ Brendan Morgan couldn’t be split by voters for the number one spot with Lieder finishing fifth overall and Maroochydore Swans second rower Tom Page in at number 10.

Lieder, 27, said he was proud to be voted among that state’s top players

“I’m pretty taken back by the accomplishment, never would I have thought I would be given this award with the amount of talent that we do have on the Coast,” he said.

“I can’t thank my coaches Troncy (Brad Tronc) and Eugene (Eugene Gerrard) enough for the guidance along the way and most importantly my teammates as we are constantly putting in the work on and off that field that I don’t think you can fault.

“We have a tight brotherhood bond and it makes it so much easier to play a sport you love and do your best when you know the man next to you feels exactly the same way.”

The current blindside flanker, who is in his seventh season with University of the Sunshine Coast, originally began as an outside centre.

“Since moving into the forwards I feel like I’ve fallen in love with the game all over again, having to learn how to play another position with a new set of rules and techniques in order to be my best is what’s driving me,” he said.

“Being a back for most of my footy career and now moving into the pack you have a massive appreciation of how hard the boys work, it’s nothing short of having an easy game that’s for sure.”

Lieder said a major highlight was the 2021 grand final victory and he had no plans of leaving the club anytime soon.

“It was unreal, especially the fact being up against our rivals Noosa was nothing short of being a fairytale finish for us,” he said

“I’m happy staying put at USC, watching the club grow and some exciting things behind the scenes, I’m just stoked to be playing a game I love with my mates, simple as that.”