CRC First Grade Team of the Year 2021 - Bench

Author: crrl.com.au
Timestamp: Fri 22 Oct 2021, 04:18 PM

Having collected all the votes from the McIntyre Medal tally, here is the 2021 Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup First Grade Team of the Year.

To separate players on the same number of votes, the player in the side that finished highest on the ladder is included. If the two players are from the same team, the player who scored the most tries will be selected.

Players who were guilty of a charge throughout the course of the season are not eligible for this team.

The players who where the highest ranked on the McIntyre Medal tally that didn't make the starting side where selected on the bench.

Bench: Jesse Martin (12 votes), Joshua Baker (12 votes), Lachlan Ingram (10 votes) and Mathew Parsons (9 votes)

The utility spot on the bench was a close race, with Queanbeyan Blues fullback Mathew Parsons claiming the number 14 jersey. Parsons was the top try scorer this year, with an incredible 21 tries in 12 games. The 21-year-old was amongst the most dangerous in a Blues side which had the best attack in the competition.

Jesse Martin has claimed a spot on the bench after a wonderful first season with the Goulburn City Bulldogs. The 24-year-old picked up 12 votes in the season, with his high work-rate, strong defence and ability to break tackles particularly impressive. Martin's experience and leadership was invaluable for the Goulburn side, who finished in fifth place.

Returning to the Queanbeyan Blues this year, second rower Joshua Baker played a key role in the Blues impressive season this year. Baker was devastating on the left edge, terrorizing opposition defence and scoring five tries.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos hooker Lachlan Ingram helped lead his team to a top four finish this year. Ingram finished second in the top points scorer tally at season's end, with 96 points. He was awarded 10 votes throughout the competition, just missing out on the starting hooker spot. The 22-year-old lead the Roos side very well, with slick service, strong defence and a deft kicking game.

Adam Taylor is named coach after he won the Don Furner Senior Shield for Coach of the Year. Taylor claimed the award after his fellow First Grade coaches voted at the conclusion of the regular season. Taylor lead the Queanbeyan Kangaroos to a top three finish this year, with the side very impressive throughout the season.