Around 50 people attended the presentation night held at the Cow and Calf where they reflected on what club president, Jared Wykes, said was a tough season.

“We struggled with numbers obviously but there was still a positive vibe at the end of the year,” he said.

“The highlight of the season was probably the blokes who turned up every week and trained, and the blokes who came out of retirement to help us out.”

It was breakaway Kieran Simpson who took out the people’s choice award for 2017 after a stellar season with the Redbacks. Simpson was named Best and Fairest on his return to the club and now features on the Trevor Simpson Memorial trophy alongside his dad and brother.

“He turns up and plays 80 minutes every game, puts in 100 per cent,” Wykes said.

“Hopefully that award persuades him to stick around for another year.”

Best Forward went to Grant Spradbrow and Players’ Player was presented to James Cusack.

“Grant’s the littlest bloke on the team but he digs deep every week, trans well and always puts in – he’s a solid little bugger,” Wykes said.

Best Back for 2017 was club and team captain, Keiran Brien.

“He leads by example, plays 80 minutes every day and he backs up for league on Sundays – he’s got a good engine on him,” Wykes said.

“A lot of boys have a lot of respect for him and he’s always stood by us when we were struggling, we need a lot more people like Keiran.”

Morgan Kalsau was awarded Most Improved in his second year with the club. The winger from Vanuatu was moved to hooker this season where he stepped-up and stood out.

A cracker season at halfback earned Chris Kirsten the Rookie of the Year title in his first year with the club.

Best Under 21 player went to Tom Swainston at halfback and wing who redeemed himself after an injury setback in 2016.

“He’s really going to be a player for the future for us,” Wykes said.

Zac McManus’ try-scoring frenzy earned him the Top Try Scorer award, and Paul and Simone McManus were named Clubpeople of the Year.

Simone is often seen along the sideline with her camera or volunteering her time in the canteen, while Paul volunteers in the sheds and running the water.

“It’s just one of those family things you need,” Wykes said.

“Without volunteers we wouldn’t survive so it’s all these extra little things the committee can’t get around to doing on the day, so if we don’t have people doing simple things it’d be pretty hard to get a team on the field.”

Attention now turns to 2018 in what Wykes said is already gaining interest.

“We had quite a few supporters saying they want to help out and turn the club around after a tough year,” he said.

“And there’s quite a lot of talk from the young fellas coming up through the ranks, so it’s more trying to get some older heads on board to look after these young ones who are the future of our club.”