L'Estrange in exalted company after landing Bradford Bulls award

6:50am Thursday 9th September 2010

By Connor Murphy

Heath L’Estrange admitted he was overwhelmed by winning the Bulls player of the year award in his first season at the club.

The lively rake picked up the prize at Tuesday’s end of season awards dinner after coming out on top in a vote among fans.

Also awarded the best forward gong, L’Estrange seemed overcome by emotion as he accepted the dual honours, such was his shock at following in the footsteps of some illustrious past winners.

He said: “It was really unexpected. I didn’t think I would get the award so it’s a real honour. I think that’s why I started stuttering when I went up to receive the award.

“Looking at all the names on the trophy, you see the likes of Henry and Robbie Paul and Lesley Vainikolo, so I can’t believe I’ve won.

L’Estrange arrived at Odsal from Manly last winter and, despite a relatively slow start to the campaign, quickly adapted to an unfamiliar role as starting hooker.

Despite spending all his previous career as an impact replacement, the 25-year-old quickly emerged as a key creative influence for the Bulls, missing just one game all season, scoring four tries and providing 13 try assists.

Another big winner at awards night was fellow Australian Brett Kearney, who claimed the awards for T&A Player of the Year and best back. Another off-season signing, the 26-year-old former Cronulla star proved to be a shrewd capture, contributing a string of eye-catching performances both at full back and in the halves.

Kearney finished as the Bulls’ joint top try-scorer, with 14, and all this after enduring a nightmare season on the sidelines the previous year when he played just 26 minutes.

Youngster Elliott Whitehead was rewarded for a superb breakthrough campaign by picking up the Prize Bull award.

The players’ player award deservedly went to departing legend Menzies, who brought the curtain down on an impressive two-year spell during last week’s defeat at Wigan.