Eastern's Emery outflanks 'em all

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON: Leon Emery shown attracting plenty of attention from the Awanui forward pack at Taipa earlier in the season. PICTURE/NADA JURLINA

Last Saturday, following the conclusion of the Mangonui senior club rugby finals, Eastern flanker Leon Emery was bestowed with the EJ Thompson Taiaha as the best player over the 2015 domestic season.

The 32-year-old Emery joined the Mangonui finalists at the end of last season and came to the attention of many local stalwarts with his powerful and fearless running game.

Eastern coach Mike Jurlina noted Emery had been in Waikato and North Harbour national provincial championship squads and played a game or two for each, albeit in the backline, before joining the Taipa side in 2014 and taking up the flanker role.

"A very professional trainer, always arrives early and goes through his own routines, doesn't say much until the game's over," said Jurlina.

Leon Emery being awarded the E J Thompson Taiaha by Barry Murray last Saturday.

Presenting the award in the Kaitaia clubrooms on Saturday afternoon, Mangonui chairman Barry Murray said Emery brought a "new dimension" to local rugby and noted, "He always brings his A-game ... Needs to be double-teamed whenever he has the ball."

It should be noted a few grumbles were overheard outside the clubrooms upon the announcement. The award always creates a healthy debate over who deserves to be named as the competition's best player.

This time Awanui supporters were wondering why one of theirs had not been so honoured considering the utter stranglehold their club has held on the Mangonui championship for the past three seasons.