JON Huggett’s standing as one of the leading forwards in Group 9 has been confirmed by his runaway victory in Albury Thunder’s best and fairest.
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Huggett polled 81 votes to win by a record margin from Jack Watson on 36.
Ben Jeffery and David Cowhan came third and fourth respectively.
“It was a pretty big shock,” Huggett said.
“I didn’t expect anything like that.
“I thought Jack (Watson), Dave Cowhan and Ben Jeffery would all be hard to beat.”
Huggett played every match for Albury Thunder this year and forced his way into the Josh Cale-coached Riverina side.
The 25-year-old said it was a thrill to join a star-studded list of winners.
“It’s a pretty big honour to be on the trophy with some of those names,” he said.
“As I said, it was a big surprise.
“I guess I was fairly consistent which helped.”
Huggett’s win is the biggest in the best and fairest for at least 12 years with the forward also taking out the players’ player and most consistent awards.
Shannon Rupapere was named most dedicated, Watson took out the coaches award and Ziggy Kennedy won Rookie of the Year.
Outgoing coach Jeffery was the leading try-scorer.
Jess McDonell won the top League Tag honour, Josh Malcomson was successful in reserve grade, Liam Wiscombe triumphed in under-18s and Rhys Mitch took out the under-16s.
Ethan Schultz and Joel Carroll were named senior and junior club person of the year.
Meanwhile, Albury Thunder has landed a second recruiting coup with Mounties half-back Jarrod Brackenhofer signing on.
Brackenhofer, who played for Penrith under-20s with Cowhan, made the NSWRL’s Ron Massey Cup representative squad this year.
He spent time in the Intrust Super Premiership, Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup competitions.
New coach Tuki Jackson has also come on board to bolster the club’s forward pack.
The strong second-rower has played with Group 20 club Yanco Wamoon Hawks for the past two seasons and is expected to arrive on the Border in the New Year.
Negotiations are also underway with another high-profile back.
Andrew Cowhan, Matt Garness and Jay Little are the confirmed losses from Greenfield Park.
After an injury-ravaged home and away series, Albury Thunder surged late to finish fourth on the ladder.
