HE summed it up in one simple sentence - and truth be told that’s about all you’ll ever get out of
him.
Tom Sellars is the 2010 Les Boyd Medalist,
claiming the Cootamundra Bulldogs highest
individual accolade at the annual vote count held at the Coota Hotel on Sunday night.
Sellars finished the season with 98 votes to finish in front of teenage sensation Joe Bradley who polled 75 votes, while Aaron Byrne, one of three players who returned to the club this season after tasting
premiership success with Sawtell, was just one away in third.
Having started the year as part of the Canberra Raiders under 20s squad, Sellars was drawn back to the town he now calls home after the first month of the Group Nine season.
“It makes it easy playing with your mates,’ Sellars said on Sunday night.
Making his return to the Bulldogs in round five against Brothers, Sellars collected three votes of a possible 18 (six spectators are asked to give a 3, 2,
1 for each match), however he then scored
consistently for the remainder of the year, with his best return being 17 against South City in round 13.
Votes for all but five rounds had been tallied ahead of Sunday night’s count and after three had been
randomly added, Sellars led on 76, followed by Byrne on 69 and Bradley.
The penultimate round was against Brothers in round 16 in which Sellars added 13 to virtually
sealed the award.
The final envelope selected was ironically that of Sellars’ first outing for the year (Brothers in round five), and while Bradley was the best performed for the day collecting 14 of a possible 18, he was unable to pull back the leader.
Centre Michael Murphy, who would finish the season with 60 votes, also collected a 17-point haul for his efforts against Temora in the second last, while Nathan Corby achieved the clean sweep, deemed best on ground by all six judges in the round 12 clash against Tumut.
In presenting the award Boyd, who took over the coaching reigns mid-season when Dale Thompson was forced to withdraw due to family reasons, said Sellars is nothing short of an ‘exceptional’ player.
“We are so lucky to have got Tom back to play for us this year,” Boyd said.
“The kid has got so much ability and talent it’s frightening.
“Our boys get so much confidence out of the way Tom plays and I know they love having him alongside them.
“The only problem with Tom is sometimes he doesn’t realise how good he is and how much of an impact he can have on a game.”
Others to poll well included Joel Pettit on 56, Aaron Vitnell 40, Corby 34 and Robert Tulenew 31.
Pushed for more of a response to his win, Sellars thanked his coach and the man the award was struck in honour of, as well Thompson for his efforts at the start of the season.
“We all need to thank Les for taking over when he did, while Thomo did a great job at the start,” Sellars said.
“I have to thank the other players as it’s a team sport and there’s a great vibe in our side.’
Sellars was recognised further for his stellar year by being named in the Group Nine Team of the Year as voted upon by journalists at the Daily Advertiser.
Sellars was named in the starting 13, while Byrne earned a place on the bench.
Look to Friday’s Herald for a report on the reserve Grade Les Boyd Medal won by Mick Cronin.
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