THE Nambucca Roosters – 2024’s Group 2 premiers – wrapped up a landmark year with their annual presentation night at the Nambucca Heads RSL Club on Saturday 14 September.

First to take to the microphone was RSL CEO Wendy Mills, who expressed the club’s pride at being the Roosters’ major sponsor, conveying her enthusiasm to continue the association long into the future.

Before the presentation of awards, Roosters President Peter Bellden addressed the crowd of over 200 guests on the club’s phenomenal season.

In 2024 the Roosters won both the Under 18 and First Grade Premierships, just three years after reestablishing the club after a three year hiatus.

The incredible rebuilding of the club was also a theme of the night.

The re-forming of the Roosters in 2021 has enticed a number of talented footballers back to the Valley to play for their beloved team once more.

Many of the club’s current coaching and training staff are also former Roosters players, with some playing in the team who claimed Grand Final glory in 1996.

Speaking on the night, coaching staff and award winners were unanimous in their gratitude to committee members and others that operate behind the scenes to keep their football club running.

Peter and Opal Bellden and their family were singled out for particular praise, having taken on the lion’s share of responsibilities at the Roosters in recent times.

The last word of the evening went to the winner of the Club Coaches Award, first grade player Jay Melrose, who drew a raucous roar from the crowd by stating that the Roosters will be aiming to achieve back-to-back premiership wins in 2025.

Award winners at the Nambucca Roosters 2024 Presentation Night were:

Under 18s

Coaches Award: Jaiye Langford

Best Forward: Rave Brazier

Best Back: Dwayne Roberts-Jarrett

Players Player: Toby Batten

Best and Fairest: Cale Ogilvy

Women’s Tackle

Coaches Award: Sam Field

Best Forward: Renee Widders

Best Back: Xanthi Hand

Players Player: Lacey Wilson

Best and Fairest: Charlize Jones

Reserve Grade

Coaches Award: Mitch Williamson-Roe

Best Forward: Beau-Dean Jarrett-Marks

Best Back: Michael Buchanan

Players Player: Mitchell Whitelaw

Best and Fairest: Jake Jones

First Grade

Coaches Award: Beau Langford

Best Forward: Jacob Welsh & Khan Jarrett

Best Back: Tyreece Sines & Dane Saunders

Players Player: Jack Margetts

Best and fairest: Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Club Awards

Top Point scorer: Toby Batten

Most Consistent: Cale Ogilvy

Coaches Award: Jay Melrose

Best Forward: Brody Simon

Best Back: Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Club Person: Warwick Jones

Best and Fairest: Logan Jones & Toby Batten

By Mick BIRTLES