NEWCASTLE Rugby League has opted against awarding a player of the year for 2021 but chief executive officer Charlie Haggett hopes to hand out other prizes at some stage.
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Haggett didn't feel it was fair to nominate the individual honour when the last six rounds, or one third of the campaign, were impacted by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
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"Most clubs and most players missed games so it wouldn't be an even playing field for everyone," Haggett said.
Player of the year points, distributed on a 3-2-1 basis from match officials each week, were last published in the Newcastle RL program ahead of round 13 at the start of July.
Kurri Kurri's Tyler Randell led the way on 14 points, two clear of Central's Dylan Phythian, Wyong's Mitch Williams and injured Macquarie forward Luke Higgins (12).
Maitland trio Alex Langbridge, Sam Anderson (11) and Brock Lamb (10) had also been within striking distance alongside Wests' Liam Wiscombe (11), Cessnock's Adrian Davis (10) and Central's Cameron Anderson (9).
It will be the second straight season without a Newcastle RL player of the year after 2020 was also heavily affected by the global pandemic.
Haggett said Newcastle RL awards such as coach of the year and rookie of the year would still be selected. The Rebels representative program also went ahead as planned during 2021.
However, with a presentation ceremony unlikely alternative options are being explored including next month's grand final, if it goes ahead, an online announcement or the 2022 season launch.
Meanwhile, the Newcastle Hunter Community Rugby League and Newcastle Junior Rugby League both announced this week upcoming finals fixtures would be postponed amid the region's COVID-19 lockdown.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
