Highly-touted recruit Travis Waddell could barely contain his excitement on Sunday after his efforts helped propel the Wellington Cowboys to the Group 11 first grade premiership.
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Waddell, who arrived at Wellington this season having previously played in the NRL for close to a decade, was vital in both attack and defence for the victors throughout the decider.
His experience came to the fore during the entire finals series and he also showed his ball-playing skills to help take the pressure off rookie halfback Rylee Blackhall in Sunday's grand final win.
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"I'm very honoured to receive it, but I think I was pretty lucky to get it because there were a few lads that played really well. But very honoured all the same," Waddell said.
"I think it all came down to the Wello boys, really, we were sticking together. We've got a very strong sense of brotherhood there, it all comes together really well and we gel really well.
"I think that's the main thing that gave me that lift.
"We had everyone getting along, working for each other, we're a family there."
The former Raiders, Knights and Broncos star also said he considered it a 'privilege' to play for the Cowboys and that he 'enjoyed every minute' of the bruising grand final clash with Dubbo CYMS.
"It was tough, CYMS are always tough. They're a great side but the boys came together and we've come a long way from the start of the season - today we just went a hundred percent. It was awesome," he said.
In further good news for the Cowboys, Waddell left no doubts as to whether or not a return next year was on the cards.
"I'll be back, 100 per cent," he said.
"I love the town, so it's just too easy to. It's a great club and a great community. I love it."