Pat rakes it in again
Bears’ Politoni named ISC hooker of the year
PAT Politoni has flown the flag for Burleigh at the Intrust Super Cup awards night, taking out hooker of the year for the second straight season.
The former Tigers, Sharks and Titans rake has enjoyed another stellar campaign for the Bears, guiding the team to second place on the ladder at the end of the regular season.
While Politoni won the same honour last year despite playing just 10 games, the 27year-old has missed only one match in 2018.
Along the way, he has racked up some impressive numbers: No one has bettered his tallies in try assists (20), line break assists (20) or tackles (836). He has also touched the ball 449 more times than any other player in the competition.
Ahead of representing Queensland Residents in June, Politoni revealed he was benefiting from continuity as a third-year Bear.
“I am probably a bit more rounded in terms of polish,” he said at the time. “That is probably why I’m having a few more try assists or line break assists this year, I’m just learning how to play with the same guys.”
Former Gold Coast NRL player Kalifa Faifai-Loa was named winger of the year, while ex-Keebra Park star David Fifita took out best and fairest for the under-18 Mal Meninga Cup, as well as representative player of the year.
As for the biggest award on offer at Brisbane City Hall last night, no one could trump Ipswich Jets skipper Nathaniel Neale for the Petero Civoniceva Medal as the ISC’s premier player.
Neale (30 points) scored maximum votes in the final round to pip Sunshine Coast young gun Harry Grant (28), with the next closest contender being Northern Pride playmaker Jake Clifford (19).
Chasing their second premiership in three years, Burleigh will face Redcliffe in the grand final qualifier on Saturday week.