SAM Schmidt isn’t a name renowned as one of the Blowes Clothing Cup’s biggest, but it should be – the 23-year-old Wombats flanker is seriously good.
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So good, the gun backrower won the 2016 Central West Rugby Union player of the year, presented with the award at the presentation post first grade game on Saturday.
Originally, the young-gun wasn’t going to attend the grand final.
The two-hour drive from Mudgee to Endeavour Oval probably a fair reason why.
But Schmidt’s father had other ideas.
“I had no idea. My old man dragged me over here … he had the idea,” the shaggy-haired Schmidt said.
“It’s great. It’s exciting, a bit out of the blue.”
I had no idea. My old man dragged me over here … he had the idea.
- A surprised Sam Schmidt
Schmidt is the leading light in Mudgee rugby at the moment.
Their best in 2016, the work-a-holic backrower says there’s plenty of strong years ahead for the Batties as they work towards emerging as contenders in 2017.
“That’d be good,” Schmidt added.
“We had a good year last year, making the finals, but this year was tougher. We’ve got a young team, our colts made the finals this year and we’ve got good juniors coming through.
“There’s a few good years ahead of us yet.”