Coach Jason Caskey (left) applauds his star, Sam Madams - Steelform Wanganui Heartland Player of the Year.
Both the Heartland and Premier club top performers at the Wanganui Rugby Awards were well-known hard-hitters and diligent team members rewarded for doing the whole nine yards.
Marist Lock sam Madams was named Steelform Heartland Player of the Year, while former team mate Kaveni Debanaise from Border was named Premier Club Player of the Year.
Madams had only just returned from Border to Marist to help lift the premiership title in the club's centennial year. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
While others may have had their day in the sun during the 2017 season, Madams played virtually every minute of every game throughout a tough season then ended with Steelform winning the Meads Cup for the third consecutive year.
Announcing his award at the War Memorial Hall on Saturday night Heartland coach Jason Caskey said Madams had constantly played well above his weight, had an exceptional year in 2017 and every time he took the field he was one of the better performers game after game - a valued team member and popular winner of this award.
Debanaise was the standout performer for the Waverley Harvesting Border side in the 2017 season.
His off-field presence included never missing a team social event or an opportunity to wear his Border dress gear with pride in clubrooms across the union.
His citation described how his early attendance at training where he put in his own speed work never went unnoticed.
This mentality and extra effort allowed Debanaise to play the game at a high level, terrorising other teams throughout the year. His ability to get outside his man on regular occasions was a big part of Border's success on attack, seeing him score 12 tries for the season, however, not only did he score tries, but he created many with the three Border wingers combining for 30 tries between them.
Defensively he was hard hitting and used his speed and game awareness to cover up many opportunities when other teams had created overlaps.
These qualities saw Debanaise gain selection in the 2017 Steelform Wanganui Heartland team.
Senior Club Player of the Year was Marton's Isaac Greer described as an all-round team man who led by example giving 110%.
His citation said direct and upfront going forward was his only way. He ran hard, tackled hard and set precedence for the other players in the team to follow.
Regardless of the situation he always played explosive rugby and was a fierce competitor on the field. Not only did he set the example on the field he did so off the field taking on the club presidency, a roll many could not manage while still playing.
Whanganui Maori Player of the Year, Gabriel Hakaraia had a strong season for championship-winning Ruapehu, which culminated in him being selected for the Heartland team and also a run with the Development team.
Hakaraia was also a valued member of the Whanganui Maori team that competed at the Te Tini A Maui tournament in March & also played in the Whanganui Maori team against the Marton Samoan's, Taranaki Maori and Manawatu Maori in October.
Wanganui Toyota Development Player of the Year Kieran Hussey was a late naming in the Development Squad. After injury to the captain in the first competition Hussey was called on to take over the skipper's duties.
Referee of the Year is Kawana Tihema, while Emerging Referee of the Year is Aaron Conlon.
Club Coach of the Year went to Dennis Tucker from Marton who had shown 100 percent dedication and commitment to his role, not only as the coach of the senior team but also his role within the club.
Under the direction of Tucker, the Marton team went through the 2017 unbeaten scoring a total of 656 points for and conceding only 97.
He also contributed as part of the coaching staff helping with the success of the Wanganui Development side and Whanganui Maori teams for the 2017 season.
Collegiate's Cody Hemi, who also played for the Heartland team, was given the Allan E Jennings Achievement Award to an Outstanding School Leaver.
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Other awards
Ag Challenge U16 Team Member of the Year
Henry Kilimister
Player of the Year
Ben Strang
Display Associates Wanganui U18 - Team Member of the Year
Phoenix Kairimu
Player of the Year
Desmond Tyrell
Wanganui U18 Girls 7's Player of the Year
Kahurangi Sturmey
Wanganui Girls 7's Player of the Year
Zoe Whatarau
Air Chathams Wanganui U20 Team Member of the Year
Chris Breuer
Player of the Year
Dylan Bowater
Wanganui Toyota Development Team - Team Member of the Year
Joshua Fifita
Wanganui Men's 7's - Player of the Year
Timoci Seruwalu
Steelform Wanganui - Team Member of the Year
Tremaine Gilbert
Best Senior Club Forward
Alex Mulipola (Marton)
Best Senior Club Back
Jordan Davis (Celtic)
Best Premier Club Forward
Roman Tutauha (Ruapehu)
Best Premier Club Back
Cameron Crowley (Marist)
Volunteer of the Year
Mike Donoghue (Marist)
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Club Incentive Award
Marton
Overall Champion Club (Competition points) - Weekes Cup
Marist
Best and Fairest Team (Referee Points) - Gordon Thompson Memorial
Taihape Senior Team
Premier Championship Winners
President's Rosebowl - Ruapehu