FIJIAN flyer Aku Uate paid tribute to Newcastle coach Rick Stone and veteran teammate Adam MacDougall when he was named last night as Dally M winger of the year.
Already acknowledged as the NRL’s leading try-scorer, the crowd-pleasing Uate was recognised as the NRL’s best finisher, ahead of internationals Brett Morris (Dragons) and Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) and NSW winger Michael Gordon (Panthers), who he hopes to join in a sky blue jersey in the State of Origin arena next year.
The softly spoken Knights speedster was humbled and, not surprisingly lost for words, when former Penrith, NSW and Australian halfback Greg Alexander presented him with the Dally M winger’s award at the black-tie presentation at the State Theatre in downtown Sydney.
"I had a great year this year. Thanks to my coach for a great season, and all my teammates from Newcastle," said Uate, who was feted in the Dally M team of the year alongside the likes of Scott Prince, Robbie Farah, Sam Thaiday and Luke Lewis.
"I forgot about the Mad Dog (MacDougall). Thanks to him if he’s watching on TV back home. I’ve learnt so much from the Mad Dog."
Uate, who was named in the Prime Minister’s XIII train-on squad on Monday and hopes to switch his representative eligibility status from Fiji to Australia, told Alexander and invited guests he wants to play for NSW and Australia.
"I’d love to play for the Blues. It’s a great atmosphere and I’d love to get involved with it," he said.
Receiving his top try-scorer award from former Canberra, NSW and Australian skipper Laurie Daley, Uate said playing in front of Newcastle fans at EnergyAustralia Stadium was one of the most enjoyable aspects of playing rugby league.
"It means everything to everyone. It’s always good to have a good crowd," he said.
Knights skipper Kurt Gidley was nominated for captain of the year award, won by Roosters lock Braith Anasta, and fullback of the year, won by Dragons custodian Darius Boyd.
In his first year with the Roosters since his controversial departure from the Knights, Brian Smith was named Dally M coach of the year. It was Smith’s second such award, having won with Parramatta in 2001 -- the year the Knights beat the Eels in the grand final.
Apart from topping the NRL try-scoring tally this season, Uate’s haul of 21 gave him a share of Newcastle’s single-season try-scoring record set by Timana Tahu in 21 games in 2002.
He became the first Knights player in the club’s 23-year history to lead the league in try-scoring on his own, though Ashley Gordon scored 15 tries in 1989 to share top billing for that year with Canberra’s Mal Meninga and Brisbane’s Willie Carne.
One of only two Knights players to play all 24 games this year, Uate led the NRL in line breaks with 29 – seven more than nearest rival Brett Morris (Dragons).
He was fourth in tackle breaks with 136, behind Raiders fullback Josh Dugan (172), Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall (156), and Dragons fullback Darius Boyd (144).
Uate ran for 3347 total metres, third in the NRL behind Sharks lock Paul Gallen (4056m) and Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne (3682m).
Born in Votua, a small village on Fiji’s Coral Coast, Uate was 15 when he moved to the NSW Central Coast in 2003 to live with his father and develop his raw athletic talent.
He joined the Knights in 2005 and, as a student at Brisbane Water Secondary College’s senior campus at Woy Woy, was one of four Knights juniors to represent Australian Schoolboys that year. The others were Jarrod Mullen, Cory Paterson and Mat Cooper, from St Francis Xavier.
Uate made his NRL debut on July 19, 2008, scoring a try in a 16-13 loss to the Sharks at Toyota Stadium, and played another three games that year.
He scored eight tries in 17 NRL appearances last year, then crossed for 21 this season to equal Tahu’s eight-year-old club record.
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