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By RugbyWA Media
David Smith
Enigmatic winger David Smith has stormed home to win the 2011 Emirates Western Force Player of the Year award at the club’s gala evening held at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth.
Smith scored 92 of his 212 votes in the final four matches of the season to finish 51 ahead of rising star Sam Wykes who enjoyed his best ever placing in the Player of the Year award.
Recruited to the Emirates Western Force after stints in New Zealand with the Blues and Hurricanes, Smith brought an ‘X-Factor’ and reputation as a game breaking try scorer.
He proved a critical ingredient in the club’s winning performances throughout 2011 and when he scored, so did the team. His season best five tries all came in games that resulted in victories for the Emirates Western Force.
A brace against the Brumbies (Rd 9) and Highlanders (Rd 15) and another against the Rebels in the final match of the season helped the West Aussies secure all important wins.
“I just don’t know what to say right now, I’m just pretty shocked but honoured to have been given the Player of the Year award,” Smith said.
“There are a lot of players in the team that deserved to win so I didn’t expect it all.
“I’m proud that I was able to give something to the team, it has been special to be part of such a great group of boys at the club.
“Thanks to all the players and the coaching staff for making me feel so welcome, I have really enjoyed my time in Perth.”
Solid throughout, Smith really came into his own in the latter half of the campaign as the ball found its way into his hands more often. While possessing an uncanny ability to break opposition defensive lines, he also worked as a team man with his offloads freeing others to make positive attacking gains.
His work to recover a loose ball and begin an attack from deep inside the club’s own defensive half against the Crusaders resulted in a wonderful team try that was named ‘Try of the Year’ at the 2011 Australian Super Rugby awards.
The Emirates Western Force Player of the Year is a peer voted award with each member of the match day 22 allocating votes on a 3,2,1 basis following a game. Smith is the fourth back in six seasons to be awarded the honour.
“I couldn’t speak more highly of David and what he has contributed to the club this season,” said Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham.
“He has made an impact both on and off the field this year and in winning this award it shows the level of respect that David has earned amongst his team mates.”
The top five in the Player of the Year was Wykes (2nd), James O’Connor (3rd), David Pocock (4th) and Nathan Sharpe (5th).
Pocock and Wykes were each recognised by team mates with top votes on three occasions throughout the season while Smith and Gene Fairbanks received the man of the match twice in 2011.
In other awards presented on Friday night emerging West Australian prop Kieran Longbottom took home the Force Man award in recognition of both his development on the field and his commitment to growing rugby in his home state.
Longbottom enjoyed his best season to date at Super Rugby level by adding 14 appearances, including five starts, to his 22 games tally. Equally adept on both sides of the scrum the Rockingham product will be a key player for the club in coming seasons.
“Kieran’s progression has come about from a sense of maturing and an understanding of what it takes to achieve,” said Graham.
“In any team sport it is important that you not only prepare well off the field but you contribute to making the group better and Kieran has succeeded in doing both this year.
“He should take a lot of the credit for what he has achieved while it is also very good recognition for the schools, Academy and Emirates Western Force programmes that he has been a part of for a number of years.”
The Rising Star award went to Patrick Dellit who made a sizeable impression in his debut season. A good club rugby player in Sydney, Dellit made the most of the opportunity presented by the Emirates Western Force and turned 2011 into a win-win for player and club alike.
“In modern day professional rugby Paddy’s journey has been a little different having not being part of the academies and junior representative sides. I chose him as an experienced club rugby player and he demonstrated that if you commit to something and work hard you can get the most out of yourself and the programme being offered to you,” Graham said.
The final award of the evening, the Members’ MVP, was proudly presented by passionate club member Mrs Sandra Vagg to young back James O’Connor.
O’Connor played a variety of positions for the side throughout the season and was the club’s leading point scorer with 170.
2011 Award Winners
Player of the Year:
David Smith
Force Man:
Kieran Longbottom
Rising Star:
Patrick Dellit
Members’ MVP:
James O’Connor
2011 Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Award – Top 10
1. David Smith
212
2. Sam Wykes
161
3. James O’Connor
157
4. David Pocock
145
5. Nathan Sharpe
130
6. Nick Cummins
123
7. Pek Cowan
113
8. Matt Hodgson
108
9. Ben McCalman
105
10. Brett Sheehan
103
Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Honour Roll
2011
David Smith
2010
Matt Hodgson
2009
Matt Hodgson
2008
Ryan Cross
2007
Matt Giteau
2006
Scott Staniforth
FACT FILE – David Smith
Position: Wing
Age: 24 (Born: 12/10/1986 in Samoa)
Super Rugby Caps: 56 (15 Emirates Western Force, 34 Hurricanes, 7 Blues)
Super Rugby Points: 95 (19t)
Honours: New Zealand Sevens
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