Brett Kearney scoops four awards at Bradford Bulls Player of Year bash

7:00am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Brett Kearney with his T&A Player of the Year award Brett Kearney with his T&A Player of the Year award

Brett Kearney has maintained the Aussie stranglehold on the Telegraph & Argus Player of the Year award by scooping the prize for the second time in three years.

The free-scoring full back enjoyed an outstanding campaign, weighing in with 15 tries and eight assists as well as proving an assured presence in defence.

Glenn Morrison won the award in 2009 and Heath L’Estrange in 2011, with Kearney now claiming it once again to add to his 2010 prize.

Signed from Cronulla Sharks ahead of the 2010 campaign, Kearney averaged 7.96 out of ten in the paper’s player ratings this season, staving off strong competition from Luke Gale, L’Estrange, Jamie Langley and Elliott Whitehead .

Gale was just behind Kearney with 7.59, while L’Estrange’s class around the ruck earned him an average of 7.32. Langley claimed an average score of 7.20 and Whitehead finished with 7.18 after scoring 15 tries and impressing in both the centres and back row.

Manase Manuokafoa and Keith Lulia also scored highly after impressive debut campaigns at Odsal.

The 28-year-old Kearney was the big winner at last night’s end of season awards bash in the Coral Stand, winning three other trophies: Best Back of 2012, Players’ Player of the Year and Player of the Year as voted for by the fans.

Elliott Whitehead won Top Tackler and Best Forward of 2012 while Bryn Hargreaves announced his retirement in a special presentation along with Ben Jeffries and Ian Sibbit, who are also hanging up their boots.

Hargreaves is set for a move overseas and received the Prize Bull award from coach Mick Potter for his outstanding contribution in 2012.

Potter, Francis Cummins, Lee St Hilaire, Paul Medley and Stu Barrow received a Fans Appreciation award from BullBuilder, while Heath L’Estrange landed the Community Player of the Year award.

T&A winner Kearney confirmed his status as one of the best full backs in Super League in 2012.

He scored four tries in the opening four rounds, helping Mick Potter’s team to victories at Castleford and Wakefield, before touching down again twice in the next four games.

Midway through the season, he spent five successive games on the sidelines due to injury but was otherwise a virtual ever-present.

His willingness to support the attack from deep and coveted knack of being in the right place at the right time was evidenced against London Broncos at Odsal on July 8.

Kearney scored four tries during the 44-12 victory and also touched down in memorable victories at Wigan and Huddersfield.

On March 20, Kearney became a father for the first time when his wife Ashley gave birth to daughter Ruby-Moon.

Catalan Dragons, meanwhile, have confirmed the signing of Olivier Elima for a second time following the expiry of his contract at Bradford.

The France skipper, who played for the French club from 2008-10 after starting out his Super League career with Castleford and Wakefield, has signed a two-year deal to return to Perpignan.

Comments(48)

Mumby was the best says...
7:24am Wed 12 Sep 12

A justified selection but will he stay ?

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Tell_Titus says...
10:25am Wed 12 Sep 12

That's 3 props leaving/left. IF SL status is granted it would be interesting to see how many players remain loyal to the cause and stay with the Bulls (if they are in the Bulls' plans of course).
Well done Kearney and the rest of the guys. EW as top tackler? He always ranks high on the list of missed tackles. Good in attack, needs to improve defensively.

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Mumby was the best says...
10:40am Wed 12 Sep 12

He has moved to the rhinos anyway I am told so that wont be an issue.

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vikksy says...
11:16am Wed 12 Sep 12

Nice one Brett

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Mumby was the best says...
12:02pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Whitehead not Kearney that is.

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LoyalBull says...
12:25pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Whitehead to Rhinos I don't think so the lad is so loyal to the bulls cause and he gives such a great BITE to the team.

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Mumby was the best says...
1:04pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Can only go on what I have heard, hope its not true myself.

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moomooland says...
2:10pm Wed 12 Sep 12

The Rhino's will have to cough up a fair bit for him, He's on a 4 year contract with us

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Mumby was the best says...
2:41pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Koppy was on a contract too

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A N Oldman says...
3:24pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Knowing you FAKE it's not even close to the truth. A figment of your warped imagination.

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moomooland says...
3:37pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
Koppy was on a contract too
Do you not read reports, Koppy terminated his contract, which is now currently being investigated by the RFL. Whoever signs him, the contract will not be accepted by the RFL while the investigtion is going on.

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Mumby was the best says...
3:42pm Wed 12 Sep 12

And the same can happen with Whitehead if he has followed same route.

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Mumby was the best says...
3:58pm Wed 12 Sep 12

A N Oldman wrote:
Knowing you FAKE it's not even close to the truth. A figment of your warped imagination.
Knowing you and I don't keep your nose out.

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Sheffieldbull says...
4:07pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
A N Oldman wrote:
Knowing you FAKE it's not even close to the truth. A figment of your warped imagination.
Knowing you and I don't keep your nose out.
I suggest a comma after some of your words for it to make any sense - not that you normally do though FAKE!

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Mumby was the best says...
4:09pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Knowing you, and I don't keep your nose out.”
Same applies to you Mr I am feeling left out again.

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Mumby was the best says...
4:22pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Well you have that many names you can always talk to each other, so sad to have to make up FAKE friends

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A N Oldman says...
4:40pm Wed 12 Sep 12

FAKE, getting annoyed are we, you've been found out. Reverting to form, insulting anyone who doesn't agree with you or knows who you are. As has been said, your not long for this site. Did anyone say on a permanent basis. You are, as people keep telling you, a childish, spineless, excuse for a person. Get a life, get some REAL friends, not just your keyboard. If you got out more after school I'm sure you would be a better person. But, with hindsight, NO. You will ways be a small fish in a big pond. We know what happens to small fish don't we. Come on FAKE, in the words of a 60s song " you'd better go now, go now, before it's too late, go now. "

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Mumby was the best says...
5:01pm Wed 12 Sep 12

The words of Substitute by the Who are more suited to FAKE.
Substitute your lies for facts ...........
infact all the lyrics

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theviking62 says...
5:06pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Picking your own songs now, are you FAKE. 7/10 for effort.

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bullslad17 says...
5:06pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Well deserved award for BK, been our best player again this season. Think he'll stay if we stay in SL as he's got another year or so on his contract.

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theviking62 says...
5:09pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Hopefully, he'll stay no matter what.

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Mumby was the best says...
5:14pm Wed 12 Sep 12

theviking62 wrote:
Picking your own songs now, are you FAKE. 7/10 for effort.
No he`s not he`s not clever enough.

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GIGO detector says...
5:23pm Wed 12 Sep 12

bullslad17 wrote:
Well deserved award for BK, been our best player again this season. Think he'll stay if we stay in SL as he's got another year or so on his contract.
Totally agree. He was still trying and took a massive in goal hit in France.
PS
Does anyone know of a bulls dedicated site rather than a bullsh** site so that I can avoid the infants playground and don't have to trawl through piles of tripe in order to find sensible comments related to the headline?

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bullslad17 says...
5:28pm Wed 12 Sep 12

As for players leaving that's six players that have definitely left: Briggs, Jeffries, Sibbit, Hargreaves, Elima and Burgess (guessing Koppy will too).

If the RFL let us stay in SL we can start signing players and renewing contracts. Manuokafoa needs to stay in my opinion, we've already lost Hargreaves, Burgess and probably Koppy. Thought Nas was our best prop this season.

Think Donno and Addy should be kept too, along with Sammut (if we can due to the quota rule), Ainscough and Crookes. Not sure about Pryce. He's lazy and never looks bothered but his try scoring record speaks for itself.

We still have Gale, Whitehead, L'Estrange, Bateman, BK, Langers, Purtell (if he will play again we don't know), Platt, Diskin, and Lulia, who has looked very good this season.

Honestly don't know who will sign for us in the coming months but if we stay in SL we can start strengthening our squad again.

COYB!

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Mumby was the best says...
5:33pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Try RLFANS site They have a forum dedicated to the Bulls, it`s called Red Amber and Black. Best of all the moderaters don`t stand for the Trolls, especially the one who pinched mine and others names.
You are right if the T&A acted on complaints and got rid of one person in particular, who pinches names and posts in other names to bring the forum down into the gutter, they would do all they should, but it has to get down to very personal and vile insults before they take action and ban him for him to reappear in another or someone elses guise.

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Mumby was the best says...
5:36pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
Try RLFANS site They have a forum dedicated to the Bulls, it`s called Red Amber and Black. Best of all the moderaters don`t stand for the Trolls, especially the one who pinched mine and others names.
You are right if the T&A acted on complaints and got rid of one person in particular, who pinches names and posts in other names to bring the forum down into the gutter, they would do all they should, but it has to get down to very personal and vile insults before they take action and ban him for him to reappear in another or someone elses guise.
This post for GIGO detector

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Mumby was the best says...
5:36pm Wed 12 Sep 12

I have not insulted anyone it must be that other mumby chap, not sure why he decided to call himself mumby as he surely does not have the affection I have for sir keith.

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A N Oldman says...
5:41pm Wed 12 Sep 12

We know the real Mumby and it ain't, you. FAKE. Just go. GIGO, aye try red amber and black. They talk pure common sense on there. Get discussions without distractions.

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Mumby was the best says...
5:43pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
I have not insulted anyone it must be that other mumby chap, not sure why he decided to call himself mumby as he surely does not have the affection I have for sir keith.
Strange I never mentioned your name in my post why defend yourself FAKE

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GIGO detector says...
5:49pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
Mumby was the best wrote:
Try RLFANS site They have a forum dedicated to the Bulls, it`s called Red Amber and Black. Best of all the moderaters don`t stand for the Trolls, especially the one who pinched mine and others names.
You are right if the T&A acted on complaints and got rid of one person in particular, who pinches names and posts in other names to bring the forum down into the gutter, they would do all they should, but it has to get down to very personal and vile insults before they take action and ban him for him to reappear in another or someone elses guise.
This post for GIGO detector
Thanks. I'm sure many people are put off by the garbage. It's easy to differentiate those who care and have meaningful views, just frustrating trying to get a sensible spectrum of opinions.
If everyone ignored the crap and just responded to what appears to be sensible then these people would go away. I have read the stuff which is meaningful but only now needed to comment. It doesn't mean that all the sensible ones need to agree on each topic just raise the average amount of brain cells used on the site. COYB

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theviking62 says...
6:14pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Your not joking, most of us on here are brassed off by the trolls and what the t n a do to get rid of them, precisely NOTHING. I have complained numerous times, both to the Editor and Sports Editor. They remove him, then he's back. Suggested tht they can remove him for good by blocking his ip address.

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theviking62 says...
6:49pm Wed 12 Sep 12

John Bateman, has won the Albert Goldthorpe, Rookie of the Year Medal. Well done John.

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Capabull says...
7:00pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Yes well deserved, hope this is the beginning of more good news.

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Mumby was the best says...
7:01pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Sure he will do well for the wire next year.

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Mumby was the best says...
7:05pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Viking how can you say that after recent pleasantries, I am hurt my friend.

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theviking62 says...
7:10pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Dead easy FAKE, I put my brain into gear, think, then write it down on here.4/10 the Bateman dig, 0/10. If you have anything to say, make sure it's a valid point re the Bulls. Not your usual crap.

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Mumby was the best says...
8:25pm Wed 12 Sep 12

The bateman thing is a strong rumour here in the institution.

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Mumby was the best says...
9:16pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Thanks shelf. You have been missed on here.

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theviking62 says...
9:16pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Wire been after him from a while, told to get stuff, more than once. So nowt fresh. FAKE you OUGHT to be in one.

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theviking62 says...
9:24pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Shelf, how's the family. Pity about your post.he is the sole owner of the club but don't think OK is that type of bloke, seeing as he's a fan. As for Mumby, changing, it's your old mate TBC aka SLC52. Hi jacking another name. Sorry to say Leeds won't be at old Trafford, this year. Hopefully another Yorkshire club will win it. Maybe Hull or Wakey. Me I 've a sneaking feeling Cats might do it.

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Mumby was the best says...
9:39pm Wed 12 Sep 12

I am everyones friend viking except sheff as he is way beyond help. Viking I am not the people you mentioned mate.

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A N Oldman says...
10:05pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Yea, right.7/10 for effort.

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Mumby was the best says...
10:09pm Wed 12 Sep 12

You really must realise who you are logged in under viking,

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theviking62 says...
10:21pm Wed 12 Sep 12

As we're mates, who cares. FAKE, he his right you do get funnier as night goes on. 7/10

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theviking62 says...
10:28pm Wed 12 Sep 12

He's on the mend, will be back on terraces next season. Looking forward to meeting you. If, just to put you right on a few things. But he doesn't expect you to be there. You, are as we all know are one who hides behind a keyboard leaves a trail of silver slime when he moves. Insults his betters as his only answer to being wrong.

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A N Oldman says...
10:54pm Wed 12 Sep 12

When, posting, the last two posts, I was with Viking, he sends his regards to one and all. Hopes to be back in Cue Gardens having a bevy to two, next season. FAKE, he had e few more words to say about you but if I posted them. I would be kicked off. Suffice to say, if you think hard enough you'll get it. He mentioned, you should go travel and play tag with a large vehicle on a major road. Which would please him and others no end.

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Mumby was the best says...
6:46am Thu 13 Sep 12

Wake up viking aka old man the tea trolley is a rattling.

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Mumby was the best says...
10:40am Thu 13 Sep 12

where has all my mate, Shelfs, posts gone?

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