Not only did the 18-year-old help the Magpies win the Group 4 Second Division premiership in the club’s centenary year and score the first try in the grand final, he also cleaned up at the annual awards night.

The club handed out its awards on Friday night and Tickle took home both the player of the year and the players’ player gongs, despite being the youngest player in the side.

“He improved all year,” coach Ron Dellar said.

Tickle also won the Daniel Wilson Memorial trophy.

He was a local junior but, without a Creek side to play for, he has played for the likes of Quirindi and North Tamworth in recent years.

In fact, Tickle could have almost played juniors again this year but a move to the Magpies proved to be a good one in the end.

“He was only four hours off being able to play juniors,” Dellar said.

“He was born at 4am on January 1 so if he’d been born the night before he could have still played under 18s.” 

A couple of the prodigal sons of Werris Creek were among the others who received trophies.

Mick Clark won the Parsons Trophy in his first year back at the Magpies since he was a youngster, while Jason Allan picked up the John Porter Trophy in his first year back in black and white for many years.

They both played their part in the grand final success as well.

Allan was one of the older players who were talking retirement before and after the grand final win over Kootingal but Dellar said there was no one talking retirement at the presentation night, especially after a few drinks.