BENGALLA Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League 2019 Player of the Year Liam Foran admits his job isn't over just yet.
The gifted playmaker, who picked up the Muswellbrook and District Workers Club award at Wednesday night's annual presentation, will lead the Aberdeen Tigers into the grand final against the Scone Thoroughbreds at Scone Park on Saturday, September 7.
Foran clinched the crown from a red-hot field, holding out team-mate Tyler Le Prince-Campbell, Singleton Greyhounds' James Bradley, Scone trio Daniel Ritter, Hayden Topliss and Michael Radford for the honour.
And, for good measure, the 2006 Australian Schoolboy, who played a handful of NRL fixtures for the Melbourne Storm (2008) and Manly Sea Eagles (2011-12), was also named halfback of the year.
"I'm extremely proud," Foran said.
"I feel very honoured.
"These awards come off the back of your team-mates, so I want to thank all of them for their support.
"You never expect it; however it's nice to be recognised.
"I love this group of boys.
"The Aberdeen [league] community has made me, and my family, feel welcome from the start.
"Now, I've got mates for life, such as Hoogs [Daniel Hoogerwerf] and Hass [Shane Hasselmann].
"We've also met some wonderful people and supporters.
"At this stage, I'm not going anywhere - I'm sticking around."
Foran's attention will turn to this weekend's decider and the chance to avenge the Tigers' heartbreaking loss to the Thoroughbreds in 2018.
"This is my third grand final appearance in as many years," he said.
"While being named Player of the Year is great, a win over Scone would be the icing on the cake.
"But, we'll need to do it as a team, not individuals."
Aberdeen prevailed in the reserve grade player of the year, too, with Sean Millwood accounting for Tigers colleague Graham McRae, Merriwa's Nathan Barry and Seth Morgan, and Muswellbrook's Mick Henry.
In the under-18 category, young Ram Steven Dengate stood tall ahead of Bailey Miller-Freebairn (Aberdeen), Brendon Chalker, Beau Parnell and Jackson Shade (Singleton).
League tag, however, was shared between Murrurundi's Hannah Rando and Scone's Sofie Casson, just in front of Kelsey French (Aberdeen), Jessyca Morgan (Merriwa), Michelle Wamsley (Murrurundi) and Samantha Elphick (Scone).
The Rookie of the Year winner was a popular choice.
Scone youngster Ronin Hadden, in his maiden season in the top grade, has proven his ability by cementing a position - be it wing or centre, despite the strong competition within his club.
During 2019, he scored 11 tries, including a couple of doubles, and his defensive abilities have been impressive.
2019 Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League awards
Player of the Year: Liam Foran (Aberdeen)
Rookie of the Year: Ronnin Hadden (Scone)
Reserve grade Player of the Year: Sean Millwood (Aberdeen)
Under-18 Player of the Year: Steven Dengate (Muswellbrook)
League tag Player of the Year: Hannah Rando (Murrurundi), Sofie Casson (Scone)
Leading pointscorers
League tag (Henry Page Shield): Samantha Elphick, Scone (158 points - 14 tries, 51 goals)
Under-18 (Denny Gleeson Shield: Steven Dengate, Muswellbrook (136 points - 17 tries, 34 goals)
Reserve grade (Leon Paag Shield): Seth Morgan, Merriwa (150 points - 11 tries, 53 goals)
First grade (Neil Barry Shield): Jake Watts, Scone (216 points - 6 tries, 96 goals)
Minor premiers
League tag (Jane Walmsley Shield): Scone
Under-18s (Frank Smith Shield): Singleton
Reserve grade (Jack Frame Shield): Scone
First grade (Ken Cosgrove Trophy): Scone
Club championship
(Foran Trophy): Scone Thoroughbreds
Group 21 Greater Northern Tigers representatives
Women's tackle: Jessyca Morgan, Taylah Blackadder, Gaynor Blackadder (Merriwa), Brooke Davis (Greta Branxton), Shae Pemberton (Muswellbrook), Lucy Prudden, Grace Gallen (Murrurundi)
Under-18s: Hugh Collins, Bailey Miller-Freebairn (Aberdeen), Mackenzie Shepherdson (Denman), Steven Dengate (Muswellbrook), Jalen Darcy (Scone), Jackson Shade, Blake Trees (Singleton)
League tag: Jessica Presland, Hannah Rando (Murrurundi), Sofie Casson, Flynn Haggarty, Rebecca Hill (Scone)
Under-23s: Harry Douglas, Hamish Wolfgang, Cameron French (Aberdeen), Jordan Mulherin, Brady Benkovic, Andrew Pritchard, Luke Rees (Denman), Isaac Austin (Scone), James Bradley, Will Nieuwenhuise (Singleton)
Group 21 representative Players of the Year
Under-18s: Mackenzie Shepherdson (Denman)
League tag: Hannah Rando (Murrurundi)
Women's tackle: Jessyca Morgan (Merriwa)
Under-23s: Isaac Austin (Scone)
2019 Team of the Year
Fullback: Hayden Topliss (Scone)
Wing: Harry Douglass (Aberdeen)
Centre: Luke Gardner (Singleton)
Centre: Joel Harrison (Scone)
Wing: Tim Smith (Scone)
Five-eighth: Adam Clydsdale (Scone)
Halfback: Liam Foran (Aberdeen)
Lock: Daniel Ritter (Scone)
Second-row: Isaac Austin (Scone)
Second-row: Justin Apthorpe (Scone)
Front-row: Marcus Marsh (Aberdeen)
Hooker: Jarrod Wicks (Scone)
Front-row: Michael Radford (Scone)
Coach of the Year: Aaron Watts (Scone)
Referee of the Year: Nick Martin, Jesse Rutter
