Elsom named Waratahs' best

May 11, 2007 - 9:36am
Story by: Sportal

NSW flanker Rocky Elsom has gained some recognition for his endeavours this season by winning the Matthew Burke Cup for the Waratahs player's player for 2007.

Elsom, one of the first players picked for the Wallabies, polled 200 votes to claim the award ahead of last year's winner Adam Freier (183) and Ben Jacobs (142) at the Waratahs annual awards dinner, held Thurswday night at the Westin Hotel, Martin Place, Sydney.

Votes were tallied by every member of Waratahs' match day 22 giving a 3-2-1 basis on who they thought was the top three players each week. Elsom picked up the highest individual tally for a single match when he polled 45 votes in the opening-round match against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Waratahs head coach Ewen McKenzie said the award was due recognition for the Elsom's hard work this season.

"Rocky is a player that you can rely upon to give his all every time," said McKenzie.

"He had to modify his game and take a lot more set piece responsibility for the good of the team. He has a real effect on the people around him, both on and off the field, and he is a real 'follow me' type of player.

"That's the kind of attitude you want in your on-field leaders and Rocky – like all tonight's winners – is a fine example of the kind of leader we have in this side."

Elsom joins Freier (2006), Nathan Grey (2005) and Phil Waugh (2004) as past winners of the coveted trophy.

Elsom named top Waratah

May 10, 2007

WORKAHOLIC flanker Rocky Elsom salvaged something from an otherwise disappointing Super 14 campaign when he was named New South Wales players' player at the Waratahs' annual presentation dinner in Sydney.

Coach Ewen McKenzie presented Elsom with the coveted Matthew Burke Cup after the Australia star polled a total of 200 points during the 2007 season.

Elsom, who captained NSW for the first time against the Highlanders in round 12, earned votes in all but one of the Waratahs' 13 matches to finish a clear winner from 2006 medallist Adam Freier.

Hooker and regular captain Freier picked up the best forward gong after polling 183 votes – 41 more than centre Ben Jacobs, who was named best back.

Every member of each 22-strong match-day squad voted on a 3-2-1 basis, with a total of 132 votes available each week.

Elsom's 45 votes in NSW's opening round win over the Lions in South Africa was the highest individual tally of the season.

McKenzie hailed Elsom a thoroughly deserving winner after the 24-year-old back-rower joined Freier, Nathan Grey (2005) and Phil Waugh (2004) as recipients of the Matthew Burke Cup.

McKenzie praised Elsom for taking on more of a leadership role in the absence of key forwards Waugh, Dan Vickerman and Al Kanaar.

"Rocky is a player that you can rely upon to give his all every time," he said.

"This award is due recognition for a truly outstanding season, during which he had to modify his game and take a lot more set piece responsibility for the good of the team.

"He has a real effect on the people around him, both on and off the field, and he is a real 'follow me' type of player.

"That's the kind of attitude you want in your on-field leaders and Rocky – like all tonight's winners – is a fine example of the kind of leader we have in this side."

AAP