Downs rugby star claims top honour
AFTER hundreds of votes, News Corp’s search for Queensland’s top grassroots rugby union star has ended in a draw.
Toowoomba Rangers’ John Vinson and Townsville Brothers’ Brendan Morgan couldn’t be split by voters and so will share the crown for 2022.
Rugged backrower Vinson is country rugby personified.
The Rangers man lives and breathes the game, and his dedication to his teammates, whether he is wearing a club, regional representative or Queensland Country jersey, is unparalleled.
“He is a top notch player, one of the best I have ever coached,” Rangers coach Cameron Donaldson said.
“He’s a giant of a player, has a fantastic skill set and gives everything on the field.
“When the chips are down, he’s the player who will drag his team back into the game, and I’ve seen times when he has been barely able to walk off the field such is his dedication and effort.”
It’s not the skills and the imposing figure that make Vinson one of the game’s best, according to Donaldson.
Vinson is a natural leader who inspires his teammates through his actions and words.
“I know it’s a very big call to make, and John is such a humble young man, but we (Rangers) would be a lesser club without him,” Donaldson said.
“We as a club are very lucky to have him and at the same time I know he is also greatly admired at the Downs (representative) Rugby, Southern Queensland and Queensland Country level.
“He’s passionate, dedicated and committed.
“Just his presence in the dressing room or on the field can be inspiring, but when he does talk you can hear a pin drop.
“Even as a coach I find myself stopping to hear what he has to say.
“He’s a natural leader and his teammates gravitate to, and rally around him on and off the field.
“He leads through his words and his actions.
“I think it’s very fitting he’s picked up this award.”
While Vinson ended voting as the top forward, the honour of Queensland’s top back has fallen to Morgan, a cousin of Cowboys great Michael Morgan.
Brothers official Chris Stone said the humble hero would enjoy his accolade the least of anyone at the club he had represented for more than a decade.
“First and foremost, he hates any sort of publicity, being treated special or different from anyone else, so he’s going to hate this latest accolade,” Stone teased.
“He’s such a great bloke. He’s our current club captain and a leader on and off the field. “He gets stuck into every event, he always puts his hand up to help and honestly he’s an asset to the club in every way.”