GPS flanker Matt Gicquel has today been named the 2024 Alec Evans Medallist while Sunnybank’s Ana Afuie has won back-to-back Selena Worsley Medals.
The high achievers were honoured with the major awards at the annual Queensland Premier Rugby Grand Final Breakfast staged at The Jubilee Hotel.
Gicquel’s outstanding season for GPS was recognised by regular nods from referees who awarded votes on a 3-2-1 basis for each game in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup competition.
He was proficient at winning turnovers, averaged 11 tackles a game, was adept at beating defenders with his zest for running and scored nine tries.
He was a runaway winner on 24 points by snaring six three-point votes, including three in a row towards the end of the season against Bond University, Wests and Norths.
He displayed all the skills sharpened by two seasons in French rugby with the Valence Romans Drome Rugby club. He was also as durable as ever, playing 15 of GPS’ 16 games.
Bond University winger Rhian Stowers (14), the 2023 winner, finished second with Easts halfback Eli Pilz (13) in third spot.
"I feel very honoured to have earned this appreciation through the season," said Gicquel, who captained GPS for the first time in several games this season.
"GPS is like a second home to me. When I first came down from Maleny to play Colts it extended to the club finding me work and putting me up. It's a great community at GPS.
"I guess my plan in any game is to get a few pilfers, make plenty of tackles, disrupt and lead in the large moments that help shape a game. You want to try to inspire as well."
Afuie again showed her matchwinning knack from halfback in the Sunnybank side which claimed the minor premiership in the StoreLocal Premier Women’s competition.
A Samoan international and former Queensland Reds player, Afuie backed up her 2023 success with a second Selena Worsley Medal.
"We did a lot of good things at Sunnybank this season and I see women's rugby on the way up in many ways since I first played at the club in 2015," Afuie said.
"The game is a lot quicker and more skilful.
"It's a thrill to win this medal and contribute this season."
Bond University’s dynamic centre Mel Wilks finished second while strong-running Wests backrower Maraea Tupai was in third spot.
Bond University scooped the top pointscoring awards.
Goalkicking winger Hamish Roberts repeated his 2023 feat by being the leading pointscorer (157) in the Hospital Cup.
Wilks was the leading women’s pointscorer (101) in the newly-created award category.
University of Queensland hooker Jake Tierney can thank his team’s well-drilled rolling maul for providing the platform for his 16 tries.
He was leading tryscorer in the Hospital Cup while elusive UQ outside back Tess Littleton was top women’s tryscorer with 15.
Brothers, with six teams in this weekend’s grand finals at Ballymore Stadium, won the Doughty Shield as club champions for the depth of results through the grades.
The Horsley Trophy went to Brothers as minor premiers as did the Welsby Cup for the winners of the match between the 1st and 2nd-placed teams at the halfway point of the season when they meet in Round Two.
Wests took the Geoff “Bunter” Shaw Challenge Cup (Bunter Bowl) from Brothers through the season.
The prestigious Under-20s Player of the Year award honoured Brothers centre Dre Pakeho, who made an accomplished Queensland Reds debut against Wales.
The lineage of players of the future to win this award (formerly Colt of the Year) is well established with World Cup winners Ben Tune, Tim Horan, David Wilson and Toutai Kefu among the previous winners.
