Northern NSW’s best A-grade rugby league player has been voted by our readers
The winner of Northern NSW’s best rugby league A-grade player has been revealed. FIND OUT who has been crowned the best of the NRRRL and Group 2 competitions.
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VOTING has concluded and the winner of our quest to find Northern NSW’s best A-grade rugby league player is officially over.
Jordan Gallgher of the South Grafton Rebels has been crowned as number one by our readers, with the classy halfback edging out a hot field of contenders.
Here’s how the top 10 in voting finished, plus scroll below to check out how your favourite players polled.
FINAL TOP 10
1. Jordan Gallagher (South Grafton) - 16%
2. Caleb Ziebell (Cudgen) - 14%
3. Dane O’Hehir (Woolgoolga) - 7%
4. Oliver Regan (Bilambil) - 6%
5. Todd Cameron (Grafton) - 5%
6. Todd Carney (Byron Bay) - 5%
7. Nick Frazier (Mullumbimby) - 5%
8. Eddie Walker-Williams (Northern United) - 5%
9. Grant Stevens (South Grafton) - 4%
10. Justin Shillingsworth (Evans Head) - 2%
NRRRL
OLIVER REGAN - 6%
Club: Bilambil Jets
Fullback
A competitor who isn’t afraid to get in and to the dirty work from his own end. A Country representative who acts as another middle for the Jets.
HAYDEN HANSEN - 0%
Club: Bilambil Jets
Lock
He is a raw footballer who gives a hard-edge in the middle of the field. Puts his hand up to do the hard yards and played every minute of every game this year.
BLAKE FORDER - 0%
Club: Bilambil Jets
Winger
A freak on the wing with speed to burn and is still only 18. A great communicator out wide who will take the receiving hit ups for the forwards.
TREVOR BOLT - 2%
Club: Evans Head Bombers
Halfback
The captain-coach of the Bombers who brings everything. A strong defender and attacker, he oozes class across the paddock.
JUSTIN SHILLINGSWORTH - 2%
Club: Evans Head Bombers
Second Row
Hard as nails and is one of the club’s best running forwards. Leads up front in the pack and is among the comp’s elite defenders.
BRANDON ANDERSON - 0%
Club: Evans Head Bombers
Winger
A try-scoring machine and is up there with the best finishers in the NRRRL. Knows how to find the line.
CALEB ZIEBELL - 14%
Club: Cudgen Hornets
Front Row/Lock
Made Country this year and is also a great cricketer on the Big Bash radar. A big forward who is skilful, can kick a 40/20, and chip and chase as well.
CONNOR ZIEBELL - 1%
Club: Cudgen Hornets
Front Row
Made the Country side alongside his brother, Connor is a very strong runner of the ball who is always hard for the opposition to handle.
ANDREW BATTESE - 1%
Club: Cudgen Hornets
Hooker
Has been around the NRRRL for a long time and is considered one of the best. Has impressed since coming to Cudgen this year.
JORDAN LEE - 1%
Club: Ballina Seagulls
Utility
A versatile player who is very fit and can play in the outside backs or forwards. Has a high workrate and gives his best all the time. Still only 22 with a long career ahead of him.
MICHAEL DWANE - 1%
Club: Ballina Seagulls
Hooker
One of the best hookers in the competition. Made the rep side and is a very strong player at this stage of his career.
HAMISH MCCLINTOCK - 1%
Club: Ballina Seagulls
Halfback
Was the Rookie of the Year for the NRRRL. An up and coming halfback who is only 20 and has a very bright future ahead of him.
THEO HIPPI - 1%
Club: Northern United Dirawongs
Second Row
Among the premier forwards, Hippi has a strong running game and a big work rate, as well as no self preservation. Would run through a brick wall for the team and a great family man.
CLARENCE KELLY - 0%
Club: Northern United Dirawongs
Centre
One of the top centres in the game with speed, strength and leadership skills. Has been a mainstay of the Dirawongs.
EDDIE WALKER-WILLIAMS - 5%
Club: Northern United Dirawongs
Fullback
Has come along really well. A great kicking game and among the leading pointscorers. Good communication and leadership skills, as well as a lethal running game.
NICK FRAZIER - 5%
Club: Mullumbimby Giants
Lock
Took home a swag of awards for the Giants this season. A tireless worker in the middle of the field.
TOM SOWERBY - 1%
Club: Mullumbimby Giants
Fullback
One of the club’s English recruits who is lightning quick. When he’s in flight, not many can get a hand on him.
TOM GIBSON - 0%
Club: Mullumbimby Giants
Hooker
A smart player around the ruck who is always scheming and getting Mullumbimby’s attack on the front foot.
DANIEL ROSS - 2%
Club: Tweed Coast Raiders
Front Row
Ross does it all for the Tweed Coast. Leads up front and is versatile enough to slot into the backs when needed.
DANIEL WILLOUGHBY - 1%
Club: Tweed Coast Raiders
Hooker
Mr Consistent who is a top performer for the Giants every week. Is good out of dummy half and constantly scheming.
BRANDON MATTHEWS - 1%
Club: Tweed Coast Raiders
Second Row
Gives it his all every week and among the Tweed Coast’s most consistent. A force out on an edge.
TODD CARNEY - 5%
Club: Bryon Bay Devils
Five-eighth
The former Dally M winner is now captain-coach of the Devils. His game management and experience has been crucial for the Devils.
SAM SAVILLE - 1%
Club: Byron Bay Devils
Lock
An experienced footballer who has played a lot of Queensland Cup. A real clubman and leader with a high workrate.
JAMES WHITBY - 0%
Club: Byron Bay Devils
Back Row
Our player of the year for last year. Runs the ball very hard and a good line as well. Also a very strong defender.
JOE BESGROVE - 1%
Club: Murwillumbah Mustangs
Hooker
A tough player who will make a mountain of tackles in the middle. A real competitor who gets the Mustangs on the front foot.
ADAM WALKER - 1%
Club: Murwillumbah Mustangs
Centre
Known as ‘Stretch’, Walker is a strong runner of the ball who has good hands and is hard to bring down.
TOBY MCINTOSH - 1%
Club: Murwillumbah Mustangs
Fullback
Has a great read on the game and knows where to be. Made the Country side and has experience at a higher level.
DEON BIANCHETTI - 1%
Club: Kyogle Turkeys
Front Row
Mr Consistency for the Turkeys, coming into his prime and one of the club’s best players in the front row.
KALEB DORSMAN - 0%
Club: Kyogle Turkeys
Second Row
Had a standout season for Kyogle in the back row, possesses a good running game and a talent out on an edge.
LAYNE HARDY - 0%
Club: Kyogle Turkeys
Five-eighth
Part of the brains trust, links well with his halves partner to steer the team around and a good runner of the ball.
LOCHLEN PERREN - 1%
Club: Marist Brothers Lismore Rams
Front Row
Gives the Rams the go-forward they need, a hard-hitting and no frills prop who always gets the job done.
HEZEKIAH MCKENZIE - 0%
Club: Marist Brothers Lismore Rams
Fullback
A classy fullback who chimes into the backline at the right time and adds plenty when the ball is in his hands.
JAMAHL ROBERTS - 1%
Club: Marist Brothers Lismore Rams
Hooker
What every club looks for in a dummy half. Good defensively, hard worker and dangerous around the ruck.
GROUP 2
MATT HYLAND - 1%
Club: Macksville Sea Eagles
Front row/lock
A former U20s Team of the Year representative, Hyland is now captain-coach of the Sea Eagles. Has the workload of five men and a wealth of top-line experience.
ANDREW BLAIR - 1%
Club: Macksville Sea Eagles
Fullback
Stepped up above and beyond this season. A lethal goalkicking boot when on song, rarely drops the ball and makes crucial yards.
FRANK WINTERSTEIN - 1%
Club: Macksville Sea Eagles
Back Row
A former NRL impact player who a vital older head for the younger players coming through. A dominant player who has slotted into the club nicely.
GRANT STEVENS - 4%
Club: South Grafton Rebels
Lock
He’s a tough, natural leader and is all heart. Among the best back rowers the north coast has seen over the past decade, has great ball skills as well.
THOMAS (TJ) WALKER - 1%
Club: South Grafton Rebels
Took home the club’s big awards and is a strong, young backrower. Has plenty of speed and good ball skills, and is an enforcer on an edge.
JORDAN GALLAGHER - 16%
Club: South Grafton Rebels
Halfback
Has been dynamite for the club this season and came into his own in the back half of the year. Has a strong kicking and passing game, a sound footballer.
DYLAN COLLETT - 2%
Club: Grafton Ghosts
Centre
He’s in everything and one of those players if he decided to pursue higher honours he could have. Hard to handle, athletic and always among the competition’s top tryscorers.
TODD CAMERON - 5%
Club: Grafton Ghosts
Hooker
Made his way home to Grafton and a previous Group 2 Player of the Year. Is tough as anything in the middle and always plays 80 minutes.
JAKE MARTIN - 0%
Club: Grafton Ghosts
Centre
A very strong player who is powerful in defence. Scores plenty of tries and is hard to handle. Knows how to play the game and does it well.
MILES FAIRBANK - 2%
Club: Coffs Harbour Comets
Front Row
Took home Player of the Year honours and the Englishman has been with the club for eight years now. Bounced back in style from a knee reconstruction.
PETER WONG - 0%
Club: Coffs Harbour Comets
Front Row
The Fijian recruit was outstanding up front for the Comets and formed a strong partnership with Fairbank in the middle.
LACHLAN MIFSUD - 1%
Cub: Coffs Harbour Comets
Back Row
A real up and coming talent who looks set for a bright A-grade future. Captain of the Malta U17s side who is poised for a huge 2023.
ANGUS DAM - 1%
Club: Sawtell Panthers
Back Row
A tough player who causes chaos on an edge for opposition. A classy player who has earned rep honours.
TYKE KEMP - 0%
Club: Sawtell Panthers
Halfback
A previous NSW Country U16s rep who steers the ship for the Panthers. Not afraid to take the line on.
ROBERT BRILLEY - 0%
Club: Sawtell Panthers
Centre
A fast player who can find the tryline, Brilley is up there with the best centres in the Group 2 competition.
DANE O’HEHIR - 7%
Club: Woolgoolga Seahorses
Fullback
Among the elite talents in the competition. A previous Group 2 player of the year who has represented Country previously.
BAILEY CONNOR - 0%
Club: Woolgoolga Seahorses
Front Row
A workhorse in the front row who gets through a mountain of work and leaves nothing on the field.
JOEL COLLINSON - 0%
Club: Woolgoolga Seahorses
Hooker
Another Seahorse with a high work rate. Not the biggest player but pound for pound among the top performers regularly.
ZAC JOHNSON - 0%
Club: Nambucca Heads Roosters
Centre/Second Row
A tough, hard-running centre who is able to back up his offensive skills with a very solid defensive game.
KHAN JARRETT - 0%
Club: Nambucca Heads Roosters
Second Row/Front Row
Can fill in multiple positions in the forwards. Boasts a strong all-round game and not afraid to get in and do the hard yards.
JAI WADDY - 0%
Club: Nambucca Heads Roosters
Five-eighth
A good organising half who is able to steer the team around and has a solid kicking game as well.
MICHAEL ‘BUDDY’ HART - 1%
Club: Orara Valley Axemen
Five-eighth
Has a famous surname in the club, and is adding his own stamp with his high level of play. A playmaker who can change a game.
JUSTIN HULL - 0%
Club: Orara Valley Axemen
Lock
Took out the club’s best and fairest award. Such a big influence in the middle of the field and a tireless player.
LIAM DUNN - 0%
Club: Orara Valley Axemen
Fullback
A gamebreaker that can score a try out of nothing, Dunn is a crucial part of the Axemen’s output.
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