Manly have been warned to brace themselves for a fired-up Sonny Bill Williams in the grand final, after the Sydney Roosters star was surprisingly snubbed at the Dally M awards.
Despite his enormous impact on the Roosters’ grand final run this season, Williams didn’t feature in the top 10 on the leaderboard for the overall prize and was beaten to the second rower of the year gong by clubmate Boyd Cordner.
Roosters’ great Luke Ricketson says even after just one year at Bondi Junction, Williams had proven himself as the club’s greatest signing since Brad Fittler and Phil Gould arrived as a player/coach combination in the mid-1990s.
Ricketson said he was shocked Williams was overlooked at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, but hopes it will serve as a blessing in disguise for the Roosters against the Sea Eagles.
“He could have definitely won a few awards and hopefully it spurs him on for Sunday,” Ricketson said.
“He’s been tremendous for the game and his impact on the Roosters has been massive every game.
“He’s been one of our top two or three players every game and he didn’t get the recognition.”
Ricketson said he can’t go past Fittler and Gould as the two recruits who have had the most influence on the Roosters in the past quarter century.
However, he said if Williams decides against a move back to rugby union and re-signs with the Roosters, there’s no reason why he can’t make a similar mark.
Ricketson said Williams’ professionalism had made a vital impression on young Polynesian players at the club – a crucial ingredient in their push for a first title since 2002.
“Sonny has been huge, especially in this era where it’s all about professionalism,” said the retired 300-game lock.
“A lot of Polynesian kids look up to Sonny and he’s taught them some amazing things and they’ll keep that throughout their careers.
“He’s good on and off the field. He’s been a marketer’s dream.
“I just hope we can hang onto him for the next couple of years.”
Another Roosters legend, Russell Fairfax, also expressed surprise at Williams’ missing out on Dally M recognition, but said it showed the former Bulldog had developed into a true team player.
“It’s not about him, it’s about doing stuff for the other guys,” Fairfax said.
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