Tireless Pirtek Parramatta Eels second rower Nathan Hindmarsh has once again taken out the Ken Thornett Medal for the Eels Player’s Player, the seventh time he has claimed the prestigious award in the past nine seasons.

Hindmarsh’s win was announced at the Eels 2008 Presentation Evening, held tonight at the Grand Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens.

Eels head coach Michael Hagan accepted the medal on Hindmarsh’s behalf, with the veteran of 235 matches in the Blue & Gold currently in Rwanda doing charity work.

“To be voted by the people you play with, it is a massive honour,” Hindmarsh said after being told of the win prior to his departure for Africa.

“It wasn’t our year, but I was still out there doing my best like everyone else was. I suppose you get noticed a bit more if you’re doing a lot of tackles, it helps me as well being able to play eighty minutes.

“But there were plenty of others who put up their hand also, the likes of Nathan Cayless, Brett Finch, Chad Robinson, and a lot more.

“I’m just really honoured once again.”

Hindmarsh claimed his first Thornett Medal in 2000, then made it three straight with victories in 2001 & 2002.

The 2008 medal makes it another three straight wins for the 29 year-old, after claiming the award in 2006 & 2007.

His other win came in 2004.

Of the other awards handed out at the presentation evening, Hindmarsh also took out the 2008 Supporter’s Player of the Year Award, and the Ron Lynch Media Award.

Taulima Tautai was named Rookie of the Year, while fellow young gun Matthew Keating was handed the Jack Gibson Coaches Award after playing all 24 games for the season – the only player in the squad to do so.

Krisnan Inu, currently on duty with the New Zealand World Cup squad, was named Clubman of the Year.

Kris Keating won the Toyota Cup Player’s Player Award while Tim Robinson was presented with the Toyota Cup Coaches Award.

And Joe Galuvao and Broderick Wright shared the spoils in the VB NSW Cup, taking out the Player’s Player and Coaches awards respectively for their efforts in helping secure Wentworthville the 2008 Premiership.

PIRTEK PARRAMATTA EELS PRESENTATION NIGHT 2008
LIST OF AWARDS

Supporter’s Player of the Year Award
Nathan Hindmarsh
 
Geoff Gerard Coaches Award – VB NSW Cup  
Broderick Wright
 
Bob O’Reilly Players Player Award – VB NSW Cup
Joe Galuvao
 
Brett Kenny Coaches Award – Toyota Cup  
Tim Robinson
 
Steven Ella Players Player Award – Toyota Cup       
Kristopher Keating
 
Ron Lynch Media Award
Nathan Hindmarsh
 
Eric Grothe Rookie of the Year
Taulima Tautai
 
Jack Gibson Coaches Award 
Matthew Keating
 
Michael Cronin Clubman of the Year
Krisnan Inu
 
Ken Thornett Medal – NRL Players Player
Nathan Hindmarsh

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