AS a captain-coach, Wellington's Justin Toomey-White admits he has a few run-ins with referees. But on Sunday the men in the middle showed there were no hard feelings when they handed out the Astley's Plumbing Group 11 referees' Best and Fairest Award for 2014.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Toomey-White shared the award with Parkes Spacemen hooker Tino Ionatana, with both players accruing 14 points in a system where the officials give out points on a 3-2-1 basis for each match throughout the season.
The pair finished two points clear of Macquarie's Zac Rennick and Toomey-White's Wellington teammate Chris Thompson, who continues to battle life-threatening injuries in a Sydney hospital as a result of a motor vehicle accident near Geurie about three weeks ago.
"It's a bit strange because out on the field we tend to argue a bit at times but it's nice to pick up an award like this, it's good recognition of the year I've had and also the year the team has had," Toomey-White said.
"We've been through a bit as a club this year but I really feel like we've built on where we were last year, and hopefully we can build again next year as well."
While Toomey-White has been the heartbeat of the Wellington side in recent times, the 2013 Group 11 player of the year was full of praise for his fellow winner.
Since linking with the Spacemen, Ionatana has been a revelation in the number nine jersey and has been a major contributor in the success Pat Rosser's side has had over the past couple of seasons.
"I couldn't think of a better guy to share the award with, to be honest," Toomey-White said.
"Tino has been massive for Parkes since he joined them. He's a great player and a lot of what they have done is as a result of having him at their club.
"It wasn't really an award I was expecting to win but I think I've had a pretty good year, and Tino has as well, so for us to both get that bit of recognition is nice."