Matt Giteau, 2007 Emirates Western Force Player of the Year

[Burgs]

Well done for a great season Gits

Giteau awarded Force's top gong

ABC.com.au

Wallabies inside centre Matt Giteau has taken out the Western Force's player of the year award.

Giteau joined the Perth-based franchise this Super 14 season after moving west from the Brumbies.

He said one of the most pleasing aspects of his maiden season with the Force was the improvement in his leadership skills.

"That's probably something that I've needed to focus on coming from the Brumbies and it's something that I have focussed on," he said.

"I've put a lot of effort into it. I still feel I've got a lot of improvement to do in that area, but I feel I've made some great steps forward this year."

[frontrow]

Congrats to a worthy recipient, although many could have been chosen...

[RuckNMaul]

go gits go. Congrats and many more

great pic flavell looks tired

[The InnFORCEr]

Well done Gits.

Seems the great minds at EWF came up with the same winners as us at TWF.'

I'll bet he likes our trophey better though.

[shasta]

great pic flavell looks tired

When you've just captained your team to win 33-3 away from home and clinch a playoff spot it probably is not that much of a concern

[inactive]

Ladder was so evenly spread compared to last year!

[The InnFORCEr]

any copy of how they finished MG??

[Burgs]

Giteau Wins Emirates Western Force Player of the Year

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 12:13pm
RugbyWA

World class game-breaker Matt Giteau has won The West Australian/Rosendorff/Rolex Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Award.

The award was announced last night at the Emirates Western Force Awards Night at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth.

In the tightest of counts, Giteau pipped six players equal on second – including last year’s winner, Scott Staniforth – by just one vote.

The 24 year old won a magnificent Rolex Oyster Professional Submariner Date wrist watch, valued at $14,000 and kindly donated by Rosendorff jewellers and Rolex.

Giteau played a major role in the Emirates Western Force’s climb up the ladder this year, seizing and creating opportunities at flyhalf and inside centre.

He notched up his 50th Super cap during the season (he now has 52 Super caps) and scored 71 points for the Force, including three tries – one against the Waratahs and two against the Chiefs.

Giteau’s speedy footwork and slick hands kept the opposition guessing and often led to breaks for others.

His move to Perth from Canberra brought with it an opportunity to play more of a leadership role, one in which he thrived.

Since the end of this year’s Investec Super 14 season, Giteau has increased his tally of Wallabies caps and Test tries to 46 and 17, respectively.

Giteau said he was delighted to have won such a prestigious honour and acknowledged the part played by his teammates in collecting the award.

“You can see by the few votes separating so many players that our good performance this year was a team effort, so this award would not have been possible without their commitment,” he said.

Giteau also thanked Rosendorff jewellers, The West Australian newspaper and Rolex.

2007 The West Australian/Rosendorff/Rolex Player of the Year Award – Vote Recipients

* Matt Giteau – 7
* Gareth Hardy, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth – 6
* Scott Fava, Matt Henjak, David Pocock – 5
* Matt Hodgson, Rudi Vedelago – 4
* Tai McIsaac, Junior Pelesasa, Chris O’Young – 3
* Ryan Cross – 2
* David Pusey – 1

[The InnFORCEr]

I count 28 votes there. Does anyone know if that is how they do it, two points per game? Or were there others on 1 point that blow this theory?

[Thequeerone]

3,2,1 they had a leader board published in the West every tuesday or wednesday - with who got the points in the last home game - never figured out who voted - guessing it was the journo,

Well done Matt - what a start to your EWF career- hope we see you run out as captain one day - but only when Sharpie's missus tells him to call it a day

[Rugby191]

Not really a surprise, but he deserves it.
Shepherd would of been a good chance if he hadn't got injured

[Burgs]

Probably could say the same for Stanners too Rugby191, he only got a handful of decent runs in as the player of the year (or Junior) was often in his now preferred position.

[LarryNJ]

Congrats Gits!!

Seems the great minds at EWF came up with the same winners as us at TWF.'

I'll bet he likes our trophey better though.

Of course he does everyone has a Rolex. (well not me) Ours is an original that's priceless.

[The EnForcer]

yup, great job Matt....I must be getting old though, his hair really pisses me off!