National Rugby League

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National Rugby League
08
Toyota Cup Season Review
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(No Transcript)
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2008 Premiers

• Canberra Raiders 28 defeated Brisbane Broncos 24
  (extra time)

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Competition Table
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Season Highlights

• Coverage by Fox Sports of 2 Toyota Cup games per
  week LIVE
• 52 Players competing in both the Toyota Cup and
  Telstra Premiership
• A proven development pathway for players, match
  officials and administrators
• The announcement of the Toyota Cup Team of the
  Year
• Recognition for the Player of the Year at the
  Dally M Awards
• Toyota rewarding recipient with a loan car for 12
  months
• Presentation of the Jack Gibson Medal to the
  player of the match in the Toyota Cup GF
• Players competing in the Toyota Cup were required
  to attend an Induction Camp which introduced them
  to the expectations and responsibilities of semi
  professional football
• Over 350 players participated in referees course
  with several using this to officiate in games
  throughout the season
• 98 of players were either employed or
  undertaking some form of study at an education
  institution. (school, TAFE, University)

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TV Ratings

• Highest Viewing Audience -
• Saturday 112,000
• Sunday 63,000
• Average 54,271 per game
• Grand Final Ratings
• Channel 9
• SYD. BRIS. 418,742
• Regional 302,307
• Fox Sports 62,957

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Honour Roll

• Brisbane - Josh Hoffman, Andrew McCullough
• Bulldogs Heka Nanai (07), Arana Taumata, Ben
  Barba, John Kite, Jamal Idris
• Canberra Justin Carney, Joel Thompson
• Cronulla Jayson Bukuya, Karl Filiga
• Gold Coast Esikeli Tonga, Shannon Walker, Will
  Matthews, Jordan Rapana, Jordan Rankin
• Melbourne Liam Foran, Sam Joe, Kevin Proctor,
  Aiden Tolman, Joseph Tomane
• North Queensland Obe Geia, Nick Slyney, Sam
  Bowie, Brandon Boor
• Parramatta Kristopher Keating, Taulima Tautai,
  Tony Williams,
• Penrith Wade Graham, Tim Grant (07), Masada
  Iosefa, Sam McKendry, Joseph Paulo, Lachlan
  Coote,
• Daniel Penese, William Isa
• South Sydney Luke Capewell, Sam Huihahau, Eddie
  Paea (06), Eddy Pettybourne (07), Chris Sandow
• St George illawarra Lagi Setu (07), Chase
  Stanley (07)
• Sydney Roosters Anthony Cherrington, Jake
  Friend, Ben Jones
• Warriors Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino, Russell
  Packer, Patrick Ah Van (06)
• Wests Tigers Tim Moltzen, Peni Tagive
• 52 players competed in the Toyota Cup and Telstra
  Premiership

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Awards

• Toyota Cup Player of the Year Ben Hunt
  (Brisbane Broncos)
• Dally M Rookie of the Year Chris Sandow
  (Rabbitohs)
• Jack Gibson Medal - Josh Dugan (Canberra
  Raiders)
• George Green Medal Chris Sandow (Rabbitohs)

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Toyota Cup Team of the Year

• Fullback Lachlan Coote (Penrith Panthers)
• Wing Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos)
• Centre Justin Carney (Canberra Raiders)
• Centre Tony Williams (Parramatta Eels)
• Wing Kevin Gordon (Gold Coast Titans)
• Five-Eighth Ben Barba (Bulldogs)
• Halfback Chris Sandow (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Prop Russell Packer (Warriors)
• Hooker Masada Iosefa (Penrith Panthers)
• Prop John Kite (Bulldogs)
• Second Row Joel Thompson (Canberra Raiders)
• Second Row Daniel Harrison (Bulldogs)
• Lock Shaun Fensom (Canberra Raiders)
• Interchange Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)
• Interchange Matt Mundine (St George Illawarra
  Dragons)
• Interchange Jordan Rapana (Gold Coast Titans)
• Interchange Ben Matulino (Warriors)

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Team of the Year
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Player Statistics

• 550 players were used in the Toyota Cup in its
  inaugural season
• On average 34 players were used by each club in
  the Toyota Cup this season
• 57 of players that competed in the Toyota Cup
  this year are eligible in 2009
• 98 of players were either employed or engaged in
  some form of study
• The Mandated Non Training hours enabled the
  players to fulfill their employment and education
  obligations
• Ben Barba was the leading point scorer in the
  competition with an amazing 248 points (28 tries,
  67 goals and 2 field goals)
• There were 11 draws throughout the season (no
  extra time)
• 10 Toyota Cup players will represent their
  country in the 2008 World Cup
• 5 Toyota Cup players were selected in the
  Aboriginal Dream Team
• 2 Toyota Cup players were selected to represent
  the NZ Maori team

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Publicity
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2009 and beyond

• The Toyota Cup will remain an under 20s
  competition in 09
• The Mandated Non Training Hours have been
  extended from 8.00am 5.00pm on Tuesday,
  Wednesday and Thursday
• LAHA has a maximum excluded amount of 200 per
  week per player and is regardless of rent,
  sustenance or other
• The Tertiary Education Allowance is now regarded
  as a 15,000 (gross) allowance
• Toyota have resigned for 2 years with a 2 year
  option
• There are current negotiations between Fox Sports
  and the NRL regarding broadcast rights for the
  next 4 years
• A season review is currently underway. Some of
  the points raised include
• Maintain flexibility with Mandated Non Training
  Hours
• Increased demand on Club Welfare Managers
• Use of Video Referee in Finals Matches
• Improving the turnover of match footage and stats
• Added costs to clubs for travelling teams, meals
  etc.
• Induction Camp program to have more workshops
  that encourage player participation

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Oh What a Feeling