Scoring 22 tries for the season, including two tries in the semi-final and two tries in the grand final, Samuel ensured his team enjoyed a grand final victory despite being aged only 10 and up against many 12-year-olds.
“Samuel definitely has a big future and we are so proud of his efforts,” Agha said.
“We also had two former St Johns administrators, Annemaree Poole and George Bakhos named as Bulldogs’ Life Members number 100 and 101 respectively, with George also a Life Member of the St Johns Eagles.”
Canterbury League Club and the Bulldogs surprised the players and their seven local junior clubs on the night by providing development grants of $500 to the club for each year of service that the player was with them between the ages of eight and 17.
“Congratulations to Jacob Kiraz ($5,000), Billy Tsikrikas ($5,000), and Kurtis Morrin ($5,000) and their respective junior clubs in St Johns, Milperra Colts, and Moorebank on this great achievement,” said Bulldogs’ Head of Junior League, John Grealy, of the players who made their NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2022.
Also winning cash for their clubs over their initial years of service were: Jackson Topine ($1,000 to St George Dragons), Jake Averillo ($500 to Moorebank Rams, $3,000 to Bankstown Sports), Chris Patolo ($500 to Berala Bears, $1,000 to Bankstown Sports) and Tui Katoa ($500 to Berala Bears, $2,000 to Chester Hill Hornets).
“The 2022 season saw the disruptions of the previous two years become a distant memory, and we finally got to enjoy a full season of good rugby league. I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in making the season as successful as it was,” Grealy said.
Award winners were: Mini Club Championship – Moorebank; Mini Player of the Year – Laith Rifaie (Greenacre); Mod Club Championship (U10s-12s) – Bankstown Sports; Mod Player of the Year – Samuel Taufateau (St Johns); Junior Club Championship (U9s-12s) – Bankstown Sports; Women’s Club Championship (all female tackle and tag) – Milperra Colts; International Club Championship (male U13s-A grade) – Greenacre Tigers; Junior International Player of the Year – Solomone Tupou (Chester Hill); Senior International Player of the Year – Samuel Kimi Ioane (Moorebank Rams); Female International Player of the Year – Irae Leatigaga (Milperra Colts); Female League Tag Player of the Year – Jodie Diaz (Moorebank Rams); Club Championship (all teams) – Milperra Colts; Saundy Steuerwald Volunteer of the Year – Omar Sankari (Berala); Karen Folkes Award – Lisa Pemberton (Greenacre); Junior League Appreciation Award – Mette Kitiona (St Christophers); and Club of the Year – Berala Bears.
