Matt Brady didn’t get the fairy tale return to rugby league he wanted, after Narrabri beat Gunnedah in the preliminary final, but it still was one of the best years of his young life – both on and off the field.
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After two years out of the game due to injury and finishing his apprenticeship, the 23-year-old five-eighth returned to the sport with a bang in 2017, in what he described as his “most enjoyable” season.
And on Wednesday night he was named first grade’s player of the year at Group 4’s awards night at North Tamworth Bowling Club.
He celebrated the win with his partner, Sophie, and their 10-week-old son, Valentine.
“I got told a couple of rounds ago that I was a few points ahead [in the vote],” he said. “A few of the boys said I had it wrapped up early. I had a good start to the year.
“This year was more about, for me, playing every game. A few years there I hadn’t played a full season of footy. I’d end up getting injured.
“I was just happy to be playing every game this year and be back enjoying my footy.”
Blessed with speed and a penetrating kicking game, Brady will not play cricket in the off-season to make sure he is well rested for the start of the 2018 season.
He was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ three wins over Narrabri this year, and has tipped North Tamworth to beat them in Sunday’s grand final at Jack Woolaston Oval.
However, he believes that it will be a close affair, with the Bears winning it on the edges.
He said: “Narrabri’s forward pack is probably stronger than Norths’ … I think if Norths try to play Narrabri up the middle it will fall into Narrabri’s hands.
“I’d probably pick Norths to win. They’ve got some really classy players in their side.
“Scotty Blanch and a lot of their players have played in grand finals and won grand finals before. It’s hard to go past Norths.”
