Departed Queensland Reds flanker Liam Gill has been belatedly named as the winner of this year’s Pilecki Medal for players’ player of the year.
It is the second Super Rugby season in a row the 24-year-old has claimed the award after winning it for the first time in 2015.
The announcement was delayed as the Reds did not hold a gala dinner this year because of financial restrictions and were hoping for an opportunity to give Gill the medal in person.
Gill, who now plays for French Top 14 club Toulon, will be formally presented with the Pilecki Medal when he is next in Australia, most likely in February for the inaugural Brisbane Global Tens tournament.
“I thought he was one of our better players, consistent and I liked his aggression,” said Reds great Stan Pilecki, who the award is named after.
“From my point of view if I had to pick someone to win it I would have picked him anyway.
“Quite often it’s won back to back, he clearly hit a rich vein of form and made a significant contribution over the last couple of years.
“It’s tough to stand out in a losing team and he did that well over the last couple of years. We’ve had a tough few years, but the wheel turns.
“We’ve filled a lot of the gaps we had last year and I’m pretty hopeful and confident for next season.”
Gill tallied 282 votes to finish in first place, ahead of Hendrik Tui (229) and Samu Kerevi (201).
RobL
Guest
Spot on Crash Ball 2. He's the ultimate all around open side flanker. Liam Gill is a special talent even if he isn't recognized for it any higher than the Reds organization. He's been playing the house down for Toulon and will no doubt come back to us with even more weapons.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Dunno if he is quite that good yet. But yes it's a tragedy he's gone. Such an amazing talent, has the potential to become our next pocock or, possibly, George Smith even. Very sad. Hopefully he returns soon.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
This is my opinion completely. Even if he isn't number 1 or 2 or even 3 at the present time I really wouldn't have been surprised for him to overtake Poocock in the next year or two if he worked hard and stayed injury free. It's very sad that he's left. Nothing else to say.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Perhaps better described as short backrowers?
Red Kev
Guest
Gill should be 7 and captain of the Wallabies. Another great Queenslander robbed by Cheika.
Doubles
Guest
He`ll get a shot at Wallaby 7 ..It will happen. .
Marto
Guest
Yes we mean like Houston and Higginbotham..
Crash Ball2
Guest
Yep. Gill is a far better breakdown exponent than Hooper and McMahon. He's a better linkman than Pocock and McMahon. He's a better lineout catcher than Hooper and Pocock. He is tireless, shadows the pill, makes great tackles and nails 40 metre drop punts better than any Australian since Larkham or Dunning. It's a tragedy Gill isn't back with the Reds this season getting a couple of years of Haskell-esque backrow masterclass fairy dust from George Smith. In Pocock's absence next season, he is Australia's most gifted ruck exponent and would have been an outstanding replacement for (Pocock's rightful) run-on openside flanker spot. The completion of his Jedi training under Smith may have made life difficult for Pocock upon his return. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-7TBhlS2A0E
Westie
Guest
Nothing small about pocock
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Gill might not be the best at any individual thing but he has the broadest all-round skillset, and thus offered possibly the most potential. It's a disaster that he's overseas.
Bakkies
Guest
Last Saturday night showed how more effective the Wallabies are at the breakdown with a proper 7 doing his job on the deck and in the lineout with a 6 and 8 that can jump
RobL
Guest
Well done Liam Gill. A deserved winner. Immensely talented; fit; strong; multi-skilled; unselfish; team player; hell of a nice bloke (from what I've seen from interviews). I hope he gets his time in a gold 7 jersey sometime soon & also enjoys his time in France making a pile of cash while living the life. He deserves it all.
exTen
Guest
Gill, Hooper, McMahon, Pocock ... Ridiculous depth in small backrowers.
Crash Ball2
Guest
Isn't it often the case that those who are so stiflingly adamant that all others know SFA about any subject, frequently proclaim so from the wrong orifice. I don't even know what fun silly is. But it sounds marvellous! I'll have one of each colour.
What!
Guest
Yeah. If McKenzie, Deans, Cheika, the people who decide the John Eales Medal, the people who decide the world player of the year or anyone who actually understands rugby has anything to do with selection then its hard for him to get selected with better players ahead of him. However, if he improves and gives his best then he may earn a spot ahead of great players such as McMahon, Hooper and Poey. Either that (he improves) or some dude who knows little about rugby with a bias somehow gets a job in rugby coaching circles, bluffs his way up to the top and, through no small miracle, gets a job selecting the Wallabies squad and selects him. Sheesh, those who claim Gill is hard done by know sweet f all about the game or are just bias and not worth listening to. Thats a fact. Hes up against nominees for worlds best player, JE medalists and S.McMahon who is a much more flexible player and yet some still project their ridiculous bias out there as if its an outrage Gill isnt selected? Dont be f un silly.
cuw
Guest
U mean like HOUSTON and HIGGINBOTHAM ? :D
Bakkies
Guest
He will be wasting his time if Cheika is still in charge then
cuw
Guest
he seems to have adjusted to the FRENCH style very well.
Frank Frank
Roar Pro
he'll be back in time for possible selection for the 2019 RWC squad.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Well done to this young man. A big loss for Australian rugby