Jarrad Butler is the 2014 Brett Robinson Player’s Player.
Jarrad Butler has cleaned up at the University of Canberra Brumbies end of season awards on Saturday night taking home the Brett Robinson Player’s Player and Shawn MacKay Most Outstanding Young Talent.
In his first year living in Canberra since moving from the Reds at the end of 2013, Butler started every game of the season, filling the giant shoes left by David Pocock after round 2 at open-side flanker.
Head Coach Stephen Larkham said it was a reflection of Butler’s worth to the team that he could turn himself into the UC Brumbies most valuable player in the space of six months.
“Jarrad has had a really strong season. It would have been a daunting to come into a new team which had already had some success, then to replace a player of David Pocock’s calibre in the first two weeks,” Larkham said.
“But he hasn’t taken a backward step since the first game this year. I think one of the most telling factors of a great player is when they are recognised by their peers.
“For Jarrad to be given this honour in his first full year of Super Rugby is extraordinary and I look forward to seeing him produce more quality rugby in the next few years.”
As the first player to receive the Player’s Player Award in his rookie year, Butler was also recognised with the Shawn Mackay Most Outstanding New Talent award.Other award winners on the night included:
• Garry Quinlivan Award – Geoff Larkham
• ActewAGL Community Player – Henry Speight•
Shawn MacKay Most Outstanding Young Talent – Jarrad Butler
• Stallion of the Year, Supporter’s Choice – Henry Speight
• Best Back – Matt Toomua
• Best Forward – Sam Carter
• Brett Robinson Player’s Player – Jarrad Butler
