The Michael Cronin medal is the most prestigious award in Group 7 Rugby League and this year, it has been awarded to Adam Stone from the Bulldogs for an unprecedented fourth time.
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The Milton Ulladulla player had a remarkable year to win the award and closest rival in the voting was Nathan Ford, from premiers, Gerringong.
This made Stone’s achievement even greater as the first grade Bulldogs were not in a semi final spot.
Stone thanked his teammates, coaches and major sponsor, the Milton Ulladulla ExServos for making it possible to win the award.
He says his secret is to have fun and enjoy playing the game.
The Bulldogs had Cheyanne Hatch for the second year running, win the WLT player of the year.
Unfortunately the girls fell at the final hurdle and were defeated in the grand final, but were undefeated all year until the decider under Hatch’s leadership.
Hatch was not able to attend the medal presentation as she was leading the ladies in a knockout event at Newcastle trying to avenge their grand final loss.
The end of year awards were also good for Gerringong fullback Joel Roberts.
The Lion’s goalkicker nailed a sideline conversion in crunch time to secure a memorable 28-24 grand final victory over Shellharbour Sharks.
That capped a brilliant campaign for Roberts, who finished the 2015 season as the competition’s top point scorer, with 260 points.
Roberts also excelled on the representative stage, named 2015 South Coast Group 7 representative player of the year alongside Warilla-Lake South player Mark Walsh.
Warilla-Lake South flyer Aaron Henry topped the try scoring with 21 four-pointers. Kiama’s Alana Glasson crossed for 30 tries to be the Women’s League Tag top try-scorer.
Gerringong prop Tim Moore chewed up the metres to lead the Lions to grand final victory and be named player of the decider in the process.
Best afield in the lower grade grand finals were Shellharbour City’s Jai Dormer (reserve), Kiama’s Donte Drummond (under 18s), Shellharbour City’s Jason Lennard (third) and Kiama’s Jaime Emerson in Ladies League Tag.
It was a clean-sweep for Shellharbour City in the three other major awards presented on the night.
Jason Lennard won the Athol Noble Medal for being named third grade player of the year.
Wayde Aitken took home the Bill James Trophy awarded to the under 18 player of the year. The rookie of the year was Kurt Field, who took home the Roy Stewart Memorial Trophy.
Narella Barry won the Harold Alcock Trophy for outstanding contribution.