Re: Player of the Year 2014 : Wed Sep 10, 2014 3:35 pm  

I went for O'Brien, feel a bit guilty about deserting Purtell but he's spent too long injured. Pity because he was easily playing his best rugby for us by a country mile.

Re: Player of the Year 2014 : Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:09 pm  

Hmmm

Adam O'Brien 25 appearances this season
Adrian Purtell 21 appearances this season

Indeed, when you factor in O'Brien being spelled with Diskin for most of the season, I'd wager that Purtell has spent more minutes on the pitch than O'Brien...

[Bullseye]

Re: Player of the Year 2014 : Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:57 am  

I went for Purtell. Made a big improvement this year in spite of everything. O'Brien has got better as the season went on but for total contribution I went for Purtell.

Re: Player of the Year 2014 : Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:52 pm  

I voted for Purtell, sad reflection of much of the season for too many players when someone injured for quite a few games has not been seriously challenegd for this except IMO by O'Brien towards the end of the season. Everyone else has had moments but Purtell has played closest to his best for more of the time than anyone else through the season as a whole IMHO.

O'Brien 2nd or most improved/best youngster/forward or however they decide to split these awards.

Re: Player of the Year 2014 : Thu Sep 11, 2014 2:30 pm  

O'Brien will be the most improved if there is an award for it, based mainly on the last few weeks while Jimmy has been coach.

However for player of the year I'd go for Purtell. His try scoring record before he got injured was excellent and he was playing by far his best rugby since he joined the club. I also think Gaskell, when playing at stand-off, has been great too. He's actually tenth in the league for try assists.

Re: Player of the Year 2014 : Thu Sep 11, 2014 2:39 pm  

Yep, on reflection it should be Purtell and I changed my vote. If he'd been injured at the beginning but then come back and done that for the last 21 games, then he would win by a mile I think, so fair do's.