With the Chiefs playing a game in the Bay this week, it seemed like a good time to announce the 7th Annual Mafia awards for the NPC season 2009. Thanks to the people who took the trouble to vote.

This is the 7th year of Mafia awards, click on the year to see the details.

Try of the Season

Equal 3rd - Corey Aporo v Wellington. Aporo showing all his power to bash his way over the line from the 22 metre line leaving defenders trailing in his wake.
Solomon King v Waikato. King at the end of the chain after a sweeping move left became a sweeping move right.

2nd - Jason Hona v Taranaki. A lovely back-line move and Hona using pace and power to drive down the left wing and score.

1st - Phil Burleigh v Canterbury. A 5 metre scrum and Colin Bourke is dragged down just short after a great run. Simple job for Burleigh to waltz through the fractured defence.

Next Bay All Black

3rd - James McGougan. The bearded wonder struggled with injury during the NPC but did enough for the Chiefs in 2009 to show that he may be able to do a job in black.

2nd - Colin Bourke. Bourke will have to crack the Chiefs starting XV before he even gets close for the ABs but the potential is there. Maybe he just needs to concentrate on the number 8's role and leave the backline skills to somebody else.

1st - Luke Braid. Runner-up in this poll last year and with Latimer and Delany already in black, Braid had a good solid season to scoop this vote easily. He might have to wait for McCaw to retire though.

Rookie of the Season

3rd - Nick McCashin. McCashin looked good early in the season but injured himself against Auckland having just broken the line.

2nd - Zac Hohneck. After Solomon King was injured out of the season, Hohneck filled in at 6 while Latimer was with the All Blacks. Looks a great prospect.

1st - Phil Burleigh. Winner by a clear margin. Started the season as a squad player, finished it as automatic choice at 12 and candidate for the Chiefs. Silky running skills and two great feet.

Lifetime Award

2nd - Colin Bourke. The only remaining player from the Shield winning side of 2004, he has stuck with the Bay when offers from overseas must have been tempting.

1st - Mike Delany. A local boy made good, Delany has risen from unwanted, forced his way into the Bay side from club rugby, forced his way past Murray Williams, forced his way into the Chiefs and this season, amazingly, forced his way into the All Blacks.

Player of the Season

Equal 11th - John Moore. Solid and unspectacular, a great servant for the Bay.
2008: 12
2007: 12

Equal 11th - Nigel Hunt. Had to be Mr Versatile as he filled in at right wing and half-back.
2008: 5

10th - Toby Arnold. After Zar Lawrence lost all his confidence at full-back, Arnold came in and looked made for the role. Spots a gap and has enough speed to make the New Zealand Sevens squad.
2007: 16

9th - Tanerau Latimer. Never had much chance to settle in the team as he was holding the tackle bags for the All Blacks for many weeks. He and Braid combined well on occasion.
2008: 3
2007: 6
2006: 11

8th James McGougan. Googs had a disrupted season with injury and the Bay pack struggled when he wasn't around.
2008: 2

7th Junior Polu. Junior has been around a fair few years and we were unsure how good he would be. He was superb, solid as a man of his size should be and forming a great partnership with Delany. Made the Chiefs squad.

6th Jason Hona. Last season, Hona looked exactly what he was - a flanker with pace converted to a winger. In 2009, he looked like a class winger, great under the high ball and dangerous with ball in hand with his size and ability to maintain pace over distance. Made the Chiefs wider training squad.

5th Phil Burleigh. The rookie of the year and gave us real playmaking ability around 10 and 12, as he able to take the kick when Delany was under pressure.

4th Culum Retallick. A huge transformation for the young man in 2 seasons, he was the go-to man in the air for the Bay and made some hard yards with ball in hand. Selected for the Chiefs squad.
2008: 8

3rd Luke Braid. Latimer's selection for the All Blacks was a blessing in disguise as it allowed Braid to make the 7 shirt his own. Incredibly combative on the ground, with huge energy, all he needs is more experience and he can take the next step. Made the Chiefs squad.

2nd Colin Bourke. Last season's winner was pipped by the winner in 2007. At times, Delany and Bourke were the Bay of Plenty team, especially in the heart-breaking loss to Hawke's Bay. Maybe if our props had stayed fit, Bourke would have won this award as his performance off the back of a solid scrum against Canterbury was awesome. Now let's see if he can take the number 8 spot for the Chiefs (we're not holding our breath with Mr Foster in charge).
2008: 1
2007: 5
2006: 14
2005: 10
2004: 7

1st Mike Delany. The first man to lift the crown twice and what a golden season it was for him. He started the NPC as just another first-five and ended it with selection for the All Blacks. His whole game was great, goalkicking, general kicking, running, tackling, he had the whole package.
2008: 4
2007: 1
2006: 5
2005: 14