Group 4: Nick White impresses in debut first grade season

The youngster made an impressive transition from the junior to first grade ranks, catching the eye with his efforts over the season of not only the Bulldogs mentor but his team-mates.

At the club's recent presentation night, the half/hooker picked up the players' player award.

The youngest player in the Bulldogs' squad, it was a notable achievement.

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"For him as an 18-year old to win the players' player...," Schmiedel said.

"That's what your peers vote on."

After virtually throwing "him in the deep end" with the side without a half-back, he is excited to see where White can take his game next season.

"He's had that full year of first grade now and he understands what it takes to be a first grader," he said.

He added: "He's gone from playing 70 minutes of footy to 80 minutes and had to adjust to that. It is a big adjustment."

Schmiedel had had his eye on White, who was also utilised a bit at hooker during the season, since the 2020 pre-season.

"I liked his willingness to have a crack," he said, noting that he had no fear of taking on the likes of Matt Baker and Lincon Smith both in attack and defence.

"What he did there raised my eyebrows."

"I knew he had the potential to be a first grader, it was a matter of getting that under-18s footy out of him."

There was some talk about blooding him last year, but the season never eventuated.

Stepping up this year, White burst onto the scene with a number of strong performances early on.

"The first three or four games he was getting 10, 11, 12 votes (from the players) each week," Schmiedel said.

His form did dip a bit in the middle part of the season and he spent a bit of time on the bench, but the veteran coach felt that was more a case of his confidence dropping a bit.

By the later games he was back to his early season form.

Lincon Smith was another strong performer throughout the season and was named the club player of the year and player of the year for first grade.

"He had a good year," Schmiedel said.

"The kid can play a bit of footy but he has some work to do on his attitude (on the field)."

He missed a few games through suspension.

Fullback Dylan O'Brien also had a big night. He was adjudged the best back for not only first grade but the whole club.

He also topped the club and first grade points tally and was awarded the Sportsman of the Year award.

KC Edmunds was meanwhile judged the best forward for first grade and Zak Turnbull the best forward across the club.

In other club awards, another young gun - Charlie Lawrence - took home the Ethan Stevens Award while Aaron Donnelly and Charlotte Eather shared the top tryscorer honours.

Eather also picked up the ladies league tag players' player and best defender. Jacqui Jones was the player of the year.

AWARDS HONOUR ROLL

First Grade Award: Player of the Year - Lincon Smith, Players Player - Nick White, Best Back - Dylan O'Brien, Best Forward - KC Edmonds, Highest Point Scorer - Dylan O'Brien

Ladies League Tag: Player of the Year - Jacqui Jones, Players Player - Charlotte Eather, Best Attacker - Nautica Eather, Best Defender - Charlotte Eather, Quiet Achiever - Kaisha Edwards, Most Improved - Tarryn Heinrich, Ladies Highest Point Scorer - Zoe Fleming

Under-18s: Player of the Year - Joash Boney, Players Player - Joc Ford, Best Back - Bailey Swain, Best Forward - Archer Harrison, Highest Point Scorer - Bailey Swain, Most Improved - Charlie Lawrence, Heath King Under 18 Sportsman's Award - Ryan Kelly-Payne

Reserve Grade Awards: Player of the Year - Tom Randall, Players Player - Jono Crowe, Best Back - Jared Heinrich, Best Forward - Tony Griffiths, Most Improved - Tom Randall, Highest Point Scorer - Jono Crowe

Club Awards: Highest Try Scorer - Aaron Donnelly & Charlotte Eather, Highest Point Scorer - Dylan O'Brien, Quiet Achiever Award (David/Les Day) - Aidan Davis, Sportsman of the Year - Dylan O'Brien, Best Club Forward - Zak Turnbull, Best Club Back - Dylan O'Brien, Club Player of the Year - Lincon Smith, Best Club Man & Most Versatile - Kerrod Smith, Local Legend - Rory Harding, Junior Rep Player of the Year - Joash Boney, Ryan Kelly-Payne, Matt Ross, Ladies Rep Player of the Year - Nautica Eather, Senior Rep Player of the Year - Lincon Smith, Reece Jaeger, Most Improved (1st Grade) - Aidan Davis, Club Person of the Year - Sarah McCann, Ethan Stevens Award - Charlie Lawrence