Queanbeyan Kangaroos backrower Adam Pearce in action against the Blues earlier this season. Photo: Rohan Thompson, Canberra Times
BACKROWER Adam Pearce enhanced his reputation as one of the Canberra Raiders Cup competition’s top forwards after taking out the Queanbeyan Kangaroos’ player of the year award last weekend.
In his first year at the Kangaroos, Pearce beat out reserve grade and under-18s best and fairest winners Luke Milanis and Mitchell Sullivan to claim the overall club honour.
The 25-year-old was also named as first grade best and fairest ahead of a number of higher profile teammates in the likes of top point scorer Jordan Macey, captain Clint Wright and bullocking prop Matt Lewis.
Pearce was recruited by the Kangaroos this year to fill the void left by departed English Super League forward George Griffin and impressed with his consistent form throughout the season.
“I was pretty stoked to win it,” Pearce said of the player of the year nod. “I had an alright year but I thought there would be a couple of other players like Matty Lewis and Troy Whiley who’d be up for it.”
Pearce has already re-signed with the Roos for another 12 months having put pen to paper with the powerhouse club before the side’s finals campaign had even wrapped up.
And he said with a majority of this year’s playing group on board for 2013, the club would be using the motivation of this season’s grand final defeat in attempt to go one better next year.
“We’ll probably lose a couple here and there but a lot of the boys have already signed up again so I’d say we’ll keep [the grand final] in the back of our minds next season,” he said.
Reflecting the strength of the Kangaroos pack this season, Pearce was joined by his fellow forwards in sweeping the club’s first grade awards.
Lewis was named as first grade’s players’ player, backrowers Richard Kelly and Troy Whiley took out the most consistent and coaches awards respectively while Brett Solmon was named most improved.