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Redcliffe Dolphins 2023 awards

Published 2:45pm 25 September 2023

Words by Kylie Knight

The Redcliffe Dolphins have celebrated the top performers in the Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Colts at their 2023 presentation evening. See the photo galleries at the end of this story

The event was held at Redcliffe Leagues Club on September 22, bringing players, coaches, sponsors, partners and supporters together.

Dolphins’ newcomer Max Plath took out the prestigious Peter Leis Medal, just five months after signing with the club.

The five-eighth debuted for the NRL side in June and scored a try for the team in his second game against the Warriors during the final round of the regular season.

It came after the former Wynnum-Manly Seagulls player signed a three-year deal with the Dolphins, immediately slotting into the NRL team’s top 30 squad in April.

He has played 18 games for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup this year, scoring eight tries and making 453 tackles.

Plath did not attend the awards ceremony, but a video message of thanks was played to those who were there.

“It’s an honour to receive this award and be part of such a great club. There’s so many great players in this team and it’s a huge privilege to play alongside everyone.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t go all the way, but it was the most enjoyable season I’ve had.”

Plath won the award by one point on 41 ahead of Dunamis Lui (40) and Trai Fuller (39).

Magic year for Fuller

It's also been a big year for Hostplus Cup Tony Obst Award Players’ Player Trai Fuller who made his NRL debut in August in round 25, scoring a try to the delight of longtime fans and supporters.

His award was presented by the man himself, Tony Obst, and it was the fourth year in a row Fuller received the honour.

Fuller who first burst onto the Hostplus Cup for the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2018, has made 17 appearances for the Redcliffe side this season, scoring 14 tries and having a hand in 11 others.

The star fullback is a threat to the opposition whenever he has the ball.

Hostplus Cup Coach Ben T’eo said everyone in the club was proud to see him make his NRL debut.

Picture gallery 1 - click through

“I remember we were playing a game up in Cairns and the NRL game was on while we were meant to be getting ready for our game, but no one could take their eyes off the screens,” he told the audience.

“I thought it was important to let that happen because everyone was so invested in him. The word went around the sheds, ‘he’s on’ and then he scored. It was a big moment for everyone that’s had a lot to do with you, Trai. Congratulations on your NRL debut.”

Earlier this month, Fuller received the QRL’s Petero Civoniceva Medal as the best and fairest player in the Hostplus Cup.

The Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup and Colts sides finished fifth on the ladder this season, with a high rotation of players taking a toll in the back end. The Colts were one win away from playing a Grand Final.

Friday night’s presentation evening was the last for the Colts, following the QRL’s decision to in August, to axe the competition. The Cyril Connell Challenge and Mal Meninga Cup competitions will now move to Under 17 and Under 19 age groups.

Redcliffe Dolphins’ Colts Coach Scott Murray urged his players to continue chasing their rugby league dreams, even though the pathway might look a bit different now.

“Keep working hard because good things happen when you work hard,” he said.