End of Season Awards 2014/2015

To save SJE the effort, it's that time of year again!
Please select winners for the following categories. 

Here's a link to last seasons award

Manager of the Year 
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year 
 
Team of the Year 
 
Most Improved team of the year 
 
Player of the Year 

Young Player of the Year 
 
EQ Player of the Year 
 
Signing of the Season 
 
Find of the Season 
 
Team of the Season

Manager of the Year   Steven_Sharks.
Made the LV final and got into the play offs this season.
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year   CJB.
Bath were struggling last year, and without making wholesale changes have finished top half this season and look good to kick on next time around.
 
Team of the Year    Northampton Saints.
Champions Cup winners and but for falling away a bit in the 6 Nations would have got a home play off semi final and most likely a place in the final.
 
Most Improved team of the year   Harlequins.
Some absolutely quality young talent has come through there this season and they look a much better outfit than this time last year.
 
Player of the Year   Francois Louw.
Been outstanding in real life and always makes a massive difference to me when he's not in the Tigers back row in this game.

Young Player of the Year  George Ford.  (presume this has to be an academy aged player.)
Is the only academy aged player to make my team of the season, so by default has to take this award.  Has been excellent for club and country in real life.
 
EQ Player of the Year   Jonathan Joseph.
Been sensational for Bath (pains me to say that as a London Irish fan), and equally so for England in the real world.  Makes a big difference to Quins in this game.
 
Signing of the Season    Robbie Henshaw.
Back in November Quins signed Henshaw from Irish in exchange for the more established Jamie Roberts.  Roberts has had a very average season, failing to regularly start for Racing Metro, while Henshaw has kicked on and cemented himself in the Ireland team.  An inspired signing which has worked out fantastically for Steve at Quins.
 
Find of the Season 
 
Team of the Season

(I've presumed that I can't select any of my own players, and have selected who has performed well in the real world and had a positive impact on my predictions in this game.)

15.  Rob Kearney
14.  Nemani Nadolo
13.  Jonathan Joseph
12.  Matt Giteau
11.  Julian Savea
10.  George Ford
9.  Conor Murray

1.  Marcos Ayerza
2.  Stephen Moore
3.  
4.  Brodie Retallick
5.  Courtney Lawes
6.  Francois Louw
7.  Sam Cane
8.  Nathan Hughes

Manager of the Year - wasps. No more needed to
Be said

Most Improved Manager of the Year - fluffy- made Exeter a force at home and gambled on signings that paid dividends. A decent 10 and a few signings and he is there

Team of the Year saints- unlucky to not be winners of the league and ran out of steam a bit. Dangerous from
Anywhere and have the best EQ in the game.
Will get better and better with BV ford and many others at the start of their careers.
Could become unstoppable.

Most Improved team of the year Exeter - same reason as why fluxy wins most improved manager. Great home record

Player of the Year - nonu, Folau, ford, vermaulen, nadolo, hooper etc all deserve a shout but for me Aaron smith his quality never changes and he shows leadership now

Young Player of the Year for me I would say ardie Savea if he was not mine but will pick Damien Mckenzie- played limited games but looks a nailed on wc player of years to come. Has time on ball which is priceless.

EQ Player of the Year  mike ford- world class and improves every game. Could be an all time great.

Signing of the Season Connor Murray.
I sold him to fluxy for beast which was a fair trade. Murray gone on to be the best 9 in Europe and next best to smith

Find of the Season - George Ford- many on here mocked him(not me) has shown he is wc
And more than capable defensively

Team of the Season excluding my own

1 Marler
2 creevy
3 Wilson
4 manoa
5 whitelock
6 Pom
7 Louw/Cane
8 Vermaulen
9 smith
10 ford
11 Savea
12 nonu
13 serfontein
14 nadolo
15 Kearney

Ps what's difference between team of year and season

I'm guessing team of year is a club and last question is a 1-15

Manager of the Year - Ozzy - 3 finals. Pretty self-explanatory.

Most Improved Manager of the Year - Fluxy - Exeter look much stronger than this time last season. They are tough to beat and their league position didn't reflect their chievement and progress this season.

Team of the Year - Northampton Saints - Whilst their name won't be on the trophy, I think Northampton were the strongest team in the league this season and were simply unstoppable until the last few months. They have a really frightening physicality as well as some scintillating runners. European Cup the least the deserved.

Most Improved team of the year - I'll go for Exeter. Week by week Fluxy worked away in the transfer market and he found himself with a strong team that no one wants to face. Strong signings in the summer and I expect a top 6 finish at least next season.

Player of the Year - Duane Vermaeulen stood out to me on each teamsheet. Honourable mentions to Julian Savea, Brodie Retallick and Francois Louw.

Young Player of the Year - George Ford - The boy can play. He has really filled the gaps left by Nick Evans struggling form for Saints.

EQ Player of the Year - Billy Vunipola - Been excellent all season. He is becoming a very very good rugby player and the impact he makes is fantastic.

Signing of the Season - Aaron Smith - I don't know the exact dates but if this was since last years final then it wins it by a mile. He has really helped Wasps run in with his partnership with Cruden working well.

Find of the Season - Nathan Hughes - by no means the finished article but not many go from relative nobody to regular AP starter in the space of one season.

Team of the Season (excluding my own players)

15. Israel Folau
14. Ben Smith
13. Weslie Fofana
12. Maa Nonu
11. Julian Savea
10. George Ford
9. Aaron Smith
1. Joe Marler
2. Benjamin Kayser
3. Mike Ross
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Francois Louw
7. Sam Cane
8. Duane Vermaeluen

Cheers Fluxy for knocking this up

Manager of the Year 
Pete - AW winner, Heino runner up and contesting the league final.
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year 
CJB - Bath struggled last year but much improved league performance this year and an Amlin final to boot.
 
Team of the Year 
Wasps - Competed on all three front's superbly all season long.
 
Most Improved team of the year 
Exeter - Fluxy seems to of taken the crown of the best wheeler dealer on here from Pooly and is improving his side massively year on year.

Player of the Year 
Duane Vermulean - Massive prediction winner for me all season long.

Young Player of the Year 
George Ford - Really fulfilling the early potential and will be up there with the best post world cup.
 
EQ Player of the Year 
Jonathan Joseph - Probably my favorite player to watch this year. Has changed the whole dynamics of the English attack.
 
Signing of the Season 
Hard pushed between the Henshaw and Healy signings. Both made big impacts for their sides. Clark gets the EQ signing of the year for me.
 
Find of the Season 
Nathan Hughes - From relative obscurity to absolute beast. Looks likely to be an England international in the future.
 
Team of the Season
(Excluding my own players)

1. Joe Marler
2. Stephen Moore
3. Mike Ross
4. Samu Manoa
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Francois Louw
8. Duane Vermulean
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julien Savea
12. Ma Nonu
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Nemani Nadolo
15. Ben Smith

I'm basing this on the games since December when I joined (I think!)

Manager of the Year - Ozzy

3 finals, and pretty damn close to winning all, enough said

Most Improved Manager of the Year - Fluxy

Tough to give a most improved manager award as I don't know what it was like the previous year, but Fluxy made some very good deals in improving his squad

Team of the Year - Wasps

Got to be Wasps for the 3 finals

Most Improved team of the year - Exeter

Again, tough to say because I don't know last year, but Exeter's squad has definitely improved

Player of the Year - Duane Vermeulen

Massive ratings winner, overtaken Read as the best number 8 around until Read gets back into form. Aaron Smith, Julian Savea and Marcos Ayerza honourable mentions

Young Player of the Year - George Ford

The boy is class, he's only going to get better too

EQ Player of the Year - Jonathan Joseph

Unbelievable attacking impact throughout the season, since the 6N he's been one of the top two or three backs in the world for me

Signing of the Season - Robbie Henshaw

Not sure if this is by trade or foreign signing, but I'll go with Henshaw. Knew he was a talent that Steve had picked up by trading Roberts, but he's had a huge impact and that combo with JJ is tough to beat

Find of the Season - Nathan Hughes

Big ball carrier, and makes a big impact on the Sarries pack on here

Team of the Season

1. Marcos Ayerza
2. Stephen Moore
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Peter O'Mahoney
7. Francois Louw
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Aaron Smith
10. George Ford
11. Julian Savea
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Nemani Nadolo
15. Israel Folau

Just did mine then deleted them  will do again later

Manager of the Year

Fluxy. Consistently improving Chiefs with a succession of top deals. But a great poster in general on the main page - unbiased, knowledgeable and intelligent comments often keep the page on track.

Most Improved Manager of the Year

Chris. For weeks his side were flying and for me saints were the best side over the season. Big step up from last year with his young guns he's been buying coming to fruition.  

Team of the Year

Wasps. Another great year for Pete and to retain the league title shows the talent within the squad.

Most Improved team of the year

Bath. CJB had a really good year and gone from down the bottom to pushing the top sides. Could have given in but stuck with it and been duly rewarded.

Player of the Year

Vermeulen. Probably the most consistent player around, and a focal point of the wasps side that won the league.

Young Player of the Year

Ford. Took a bit of a battering early on this season but Chris stuck with him and made himself England's first choice 10.

EQ Player of the Year

Abendanon. Plays most games for sale making their back three look much stronger, and excelled IRL in Europe.

Signing of the Season

Marler. Pete spent big on the prop but he's been worth the investment. Been pretty much ever present for wasps and had a great season.

Find of the Season

Hughes. Relative unknown to well rated is something we all dream of finding!

Team of the Season

1. Joe Marler
2. Adrian Strauss
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Brodie Retalick
5. Alun Wyn-Jones
6. Duane Vermeulen
7. Michael Hooper
8. Nathan Hughes

9. Conor Murray
10. George Ford
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Jack Nowell
15. Nick Abendanon

Manager of the Year

Has to be Pete for beating me and becoming the most successful manager in the game. Could of won the elusive double with a bit more luck.

Most Improved Manager of the Year

Johnny - Great achievement making the AP final from being bottom 3 a few years back.

Team of the Year

Wasps. Not the strongest squad but his selections and gambles in transfer dealing usually come off.

Most Improved team of the year

Bath. Nearly went Exeter as they've improved so much through the season. I think CJB deserves credit as I thought Bath might struggle a bit but he's had a great season.

Player of the Year

POC - King of the line outs, great leader.

Young Player of the Year

Anthony Watson - I wasn't the biggest fan of his but he's had a cracking season

EQ Player of the Year

Jon Joseph - great season and key to Quins.

Signing of the Season

Connor Murray - Had to be Flux and his deals. Murray is up there with Smith, Youngs etc as the best scrum half about

Find of the Season

Will Skelton - I know I've just signed him but credit due to Johnny. He's went from a fat lump to one of the brightest locking talents Aus have seen since Eales.

Team of the Season

1. Marco Ayerza
2. Rory Best
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retalick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Shalk Burger
7. Fran Louw
8. Duane Vermeulen

9. Ben Youngs
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Anthony Watson
15. Stuart Hogg

Your player of the year doesn't even make team of the year Pooly

Manager of the Season: Chris - From where his team was a few years ago it has come in leaps and bounds. He has made his team legit contenders and was unlucky his team slightly fell away at the end of the season. Possibly needed a move down the stretch but so many moves he has made have paid off and his squad is young and dangerous.
Most Improved Manager of the Year: CJ - Made some good signings and has made Welsh a tough team to face.
Team of the Year: Wasps - Hard to argue with the success they have had in numerous competitions which shows the team has a great ability to rest players and still get results. Such a great spine.
Most Improved Team of the Year: Exeter - With a few star players sprinkled throughout the team they look top 7 material. Constantly tinkering and bargaining, Flux was a little unlucky not to be my manager votes but his team deserves recognition

Player of the Year: Duane Vermuelen - Consistently means Wasps have one of the best back rows in the league. His presence means it's hard to count them out of any game and is a huge advantage.
Young Player of the Year: George Ford - Who can argue with the success Chris had led by Ford
EQ Player of the Year: Jonathan Joseph - Steve has a great midfield and it keeps his back line looking strong. One of the keys to that is Jonathan Joseph who does not look out of place against any opponent these days.
Signing of the Season: I wanted to go for someone who hasn't been mentioned that much. It was either between Herrera at £17m, Nadolo at £18m or Fetikoa at £20m. I think Fetikoa had a huge impact on the Sarries season and was a great piece of value at that price.
Find of the season: Nathan Hughes, finding quality EQ is always difficult and in Hughes Pooly has found some!
Team of the season:
1. Joe Marler
2. Stephen Moore
3. John Afoa
4. Brodie Retallick
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O'Mahoney
7. Francois Louw
8. Duane Vermuelen
9. Connor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Julian Savea
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Nemani Nadolo
15. Mike Brown

Manager of the Year 


Ozzy - with a stream of finals and wins, exceptional showing from the man behind one side 
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year 

Fluxy who has turned Exeter into one of the toughest teams in the league who have improved constantly throughout the season. CJB very close behind indeed

 
Team of the Year 


Sale- when at their best this season have been unplayable 
 
Most Improved team of the year 
 
Close between Exeter and Bath, but Exeter edge it

Player of the Year 


Marcos Ayerza- wins a huge amount for Sale's scrum and for me LH makes a bigger impact than the also excellent Vermeulen can at 8. A phenomenal player

Young Player of the Year 


George Ford, who had an excellent end to the season. Henshaw also excellent
 
EQ Player of the Year 


Also George Ford, though JJ and Marler up there 
 
Signing of the Season 


Fekitoa for Sarries at a steal and making their full strength backs much more dangerous 



 
Find of the Season 


If we can count Henshaw as a find, probably him, but otherwise the monstrous Hughes



 
Team of the Season / not including my own player


15- Hard one this, probably just Ben Smith
14- Nowell
13- Joseph
12- Henshaw
11- Savea
10- Ford
9- Smith
8- Vermeulen
7- Robshaw
6- Louw
5- Retallick
4- Manoa
3- Herrera
2- Moore
1- Ayerza

Manager of the Year
SJE - strong in all competitions and wouldn't have a league if it wasn't for all the effort he put in

Most Improved Manager of the Year
Tough as all the teams are getting better, but for keeping Welsh in the league would be CJ.

Team of the Year: Wasps, champions and European finalists.

Most Improved team of the year: Sale Sharks.

Player of the Year: Duane Vermeleun

Young Player of the Year: Jamie George

EQ Player of the Year: Jonathan Joseph

Signing of the Season: Robbie Henshaw

Find of the Season: Nathan Hughes

Team of the Season:

1. Marcus Ayerza
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dave Wilson
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. James Haskell/Ashley Johnson
7. Sam Warburton
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Nemani Nadalo
12. Matt Toomua
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Ben Smith
15. Liam Williams

Manager of the Year   Ozzy
Always pushing for success in every competition has a great composition and feel for his squad and the game. 
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year   CJB
Managed to revamp Bath mid way through the season and got them firing again which lead them to a strong end of the season.
 
Team of the Year    Northampton Saints
Best squad in the league and winning the Champions Cup underlines that. My tip for next season to do the unprecedented double. 
 
Most Improved team of the year   Sale Sharks
They have become one of the big sides in the league and SJE has managed to pick up some great talents and encouraged them to flourish in his set up.
 
Player of the Year   Duane Vermeulen
Been an outstanding performer for Wasps (irish) and SA. Great leader, carrier, breakdown expert and completed a good unit for Wasps

Young Player of the Year  Anthony Watson  
I know there are probably few academy players I've missed, but for me Waston was a key one for Ozzy being EQ, Young and very good!
 
EQ Player of the Year   Jonathan Joseph.
Hard to split him from Ford, but for me helped Quins in key situations throughout the season.
 
Signing of the Season    Dan Cole.
kind of cheating with this one, but Pooly signing Dan Cole at the beginning of the season really helped provide a cornerstone for his side and something to build around. 
 
Find of the Season  Malakai Fekitoa

Has been oustanding and really a lynch in the Sarries midfield, with his carrying and reading of the game
 
Team of the Season

15.  Willie Le Roux
14.  Nemani Nadolo
13.  Jonathan Joseph
12.  Ma'a Nonu
11.  Julian Savea
10.  George Ford
9.  Aaron Smith

1.  Marcos Ayerza
2.  Stephen Moore
3.  Owen Franks
4.  Brodie Retallick
5.  Sam Whitelock
6.  Jerome Kaino
7.  Francois Louw
8.  Nathan Hughes

I'll accumulate this later hopefully! Apologies for the delay in this...

Manager of the Year   Ozzy
No matter what team this guy has, he always gets success from them.
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year   Fluxy
Came in and revitalised the transfer market with some deals that have come off well and made Chiefs a hard team to beat.
 
Team of the Year    Northampton Saints
Class all through the squad and it was only the injury and form of Tuilagi which held them up.
 
Most Improved team of the year  Chiefs
Fluxy has worked wonders with this team and I reckon they'll be challenging this season.
 
Player of the Year   Matt Giteau
Been a consistent performer for Saints and I always noticed when he wasn't in the squad for them.

Young Player of the Year  Anthony Watson  
I know there are probably few academy players I've missed, but for me Waston was a key one for Ozzy being EQ, Young and very good!
 
EQ Player of the Year   Jonathan Joseph
Another player I look for, has been electric and a key component in this game.
 
Signing of the Season   Robbie Henshaw
Shame I let him go! Has really burst onto the scene this season.
 
Find of the Season  Malakai Fekitoa
A player I missed out on in the initial draft but someone who will be instrumental for Sarries this season.
 
Team of the Season

15.  Ben Smith
14.  Nemani Nadolo
13.  Jonathan Joseph
12.  Matt Giteau
11.  Julian Savea
10.  Johnny Sexton
9.  Aaron Smith

1.  Marcos Ayerza
2.  Stephen Moore
3.  Owen Franks
4.  Brodie Retallick
5.  Sam Whitelock
6.  James Haskell
7.  Francois Louw
8.  Duane Vermeulen