Cootamundra Bulldogs First Grade Best and Fairest Joe Ward, with Best Back Oliver Hall.
The Cootamundra Bulldogs celebrated a promising 2026 season on Saturday night, with players, families, supporters and club members gathering at the Cootamundra Ex-Services Club for the annual presentation night.
A big crowd was on hand on Saturday, September 26, to reflect on a season that produced plenty of positives across the club, while also recognising the individuals who contributed both on and off the field.
A highlight of the evening was the awarding of life membership to two long-serving Bulldogs, Stephen Cootes and Grant Boyd, in recognition of their significant contributions to the club.
Cootes has made his mark largely away from the spotlight, putting in years of work behind the scenes and regularly taking on the jobs that often go unnoticed but remain vital to the running of a sporting club.
Boyd’s contribution has been more visible on the field, with his long playing career reaching another significant milestone in 2026 when he brought up his 300th game.
A member of Cootamundra’s 2005 premiership side, Boyd has also stepped into the first grade coaching role on numerous occasions throughout his career, providing experience and leadership to the next generation of Bulldogs.
The club’s first grade side also had plenty to celebrate after producing a competitive season and narrowly missing out on a finals berth.
Cootamundra finished just one win outside the finals, with the return of Luke Berkrey to the club and his appointment as first grade coach helping bring an increased level of professionalism to the side.
That improvement translated into results on the field, with the Bulldogs remaining in the hunt for a finals position deep into the season and providing plenty of encouragement for what lies ahead.
Halfback Joe Ward was rewarded for his outstanding campaign, taking home the Best and Fairest award after establishing himself as one of the competition’s classy playmakers.
Ward’s organisation, composure and ability to control a game marked him as a player capable of becoming one of Group 9’s most dominant halves in the years ahead.
Oliver Hall was recognised as the club’s Best Back after completing his first full season of first grade and looking anything but a newcomer to the level.
Tai Vaavale claimed Best Forward following a powerful season in which he became a player opposition sides had to plan for. His ability to consistently complete 80 minutes while bringing plenty of power through the middle made him one of the Bulldogs’ standout performers.
The Coach’s Awards were shared by Ned Murray and Brendan Kelleher.
Sam Bragg capped off an impressive first season with the Bulldogs by collecting both the Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year awards.
with Life Membership.
A surprise addition to the club at the start of the campaign, Bragg quickly established himself as one of Cootamundra’s most valuable players at fullback.
In reserve grade, Josh Bradford was named Best and Fairest, while Brad Taber was recognised as Best Forward and also claimed the Justin Hayward Memorial award.
Uiese Tuliasiaosi was named Best Back, with Cody Hotston taking out Players’ Player.
Jaiden Duncan and Nick Rumble shared the Coach’s Awards, while Seth Madex was presented with the Alan Wilson Memorial award.
The under 18s were also recognised for their efforts throughout a challenging season.
Despite battling low numbers at various stages of the year, the young Bulldogs continued to turn up and compete, displaying plenty of club spirit and determination.
Matt Wilde was named Best and Fairest, while Sam Elphick took out Players’ Player and Most Consistent.
Brock Smith was named Best Forward, Cadynn Smart Best Back, with Darcy Thompson and Alex Brown receiving the Coach’s Awards.
The club’s league tag side once again provided one of the major highlights of the Bulldogs’ season, progressing through to the preliminary final.
Willow Hall was rewarded after an impressive first season of senior football, sharing the Best and Fairest award with the versatile Sam Graham.
Maddy Gillies, the recipient of the Weissel Medal, was named Players’ Player, while Amarli Kelleher was recognised as Best Attacker.
Kelleher’s attacking contribution was significant throughout the season, scoring 29 tries before producing a match-winning effort in the semi-final with a hat-trick to help send Cootamundra through to the preliminary final.
Lauren Connell was named Best Defender after another outstanding season at hooker, with her ability to consistently make tags making her a key part of the Bulldogs’ defensive efforts.
Trysta Willoughby and Nellie Ward shared the League Tag Coach’s Award.
While there was disappointment at narrowly missing finals in first grade and the league tag missing a grand final appearance, the overall mood around the Bulldogs was one of optimism.
The foundations laid throughout 2026 provide the club with plenty to build on, particularly with the majority of the first grade squad understood to have re-signed.
With greater consistency and another season under Berkrey’s guidance, returning to finals football across the senior grades will be a clear goal for the Bulldogs when the 2027 season arrives.
For a club that has continued to build its playing groups and strengthen its off-field foundations, Saturday night’s presentation was not only a chance to celebrate what had been achieved, but also a reminder of what Cootamundra can strive towards in the season ahead.
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