3 Blacks in Line for Honours

Three Port Kembla Blacks are in line for the 2004 Tooheys League Illawarra Player of The Year award to be presented at a gala event on Friday night, 10th September.

Front Rower Clint Hill, lock Grant Roberts and rake Johno Johnson have gained nominations in the final eight for the award which is judged by the officiating referees on a 3-2-1 basis after each game. They will be joined in the final nominations by four more forwards and one back.

The voting has been dominated by Props with Hill to be joined in the field of finalists by Ben Couchman (Thirroul), Don Tweddle (Corrimal), and Jade Lucas (Wests). Wade Forrester from Collegians makes up the forward nominations with team mate Justin Brooker the only back figuring in the votes.

The fact that Brooker is the only back in the field would suggest that he has the trophy for Best back in the league all but wrapped up. If this is the case, Brooker would add that trophy to a certain award for leading try scorer in the league.

The field is wide open with all nominations having great years. It is perhaps the best field of final nominations in the recent history of the Illawarra League. Hill, Roberts and Johnson may rue the fact that they are all playing at the same time with respect to this award as they will surely have taken votes away from each other, although so dominant were some of Port's wins that all three may have picked up points in three or four games.

Of the finalists, four have had NRL experience which is indicative of the high standard of players and football currently seen in the league. It would not be surprising if the award were tied between two players in the field of eight, reminiscent of the 1994 result which saw Richard Velthuis and Iain Bannerman tie for the prestigious trophy in 1994.

Keith Lulia is the Black's only nomination for the Under 18's Player of The Year, joining the likes of Trent Grundy (Dapto) and Zac Hill (Wests).