GROUP Three Rugby League’s 2016 player of the year, Taree City’s Matt Everitt, is maintaining a strict training regiment during the off-season.
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Everitt, 29, became the first player from a Manning-based club to win the group’s premier award at the presentation held at Wingham Services Club since 2007 and the first from Taree City since 2005.
He is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. Taree City nominated him for the award.
With the footy on hold for a while, Everitt has been preparing for the Tough Mudder race – billed as 18km of mud and obstacles – to be conducted in Gosford in six weeks. He hasn’t stopped training since Taree City’s Group Three campaign ended after the loss to Wingham in the minor semi-final.
“It’s not as hard as it sounds – it’s a bit of fun,’’ Everitt assured.
He returned to Group Three this year after stints at Newcastle and the Central Coast. Everitt captain-coached Old Bar in 2012 and was initially linked to return to the Pirates when Taree City announced his signing. Everitt was reluctant to go into details of what transpired.
“There’s a lot of people I respect in the Old Bar club, so I’ll leave it there,’’ he said.
“But in the end I think I made the right decision.’’
Everitt wasn’t the top of the pops as far as Old Bar supporters were concerned but he doesn’t think he was targeted by players during Taree’s three clashes against the Pirates this year.
“It was a bit of fun being the villain,’’ he smiled.
Everitt announced at the group presentation that he is keen to apply for the captain-coach’s role with the Bulls next year. He’ll meet with the club this week for further negotiations.
Everitt played in the halves during his last stay in Group Three but was used extensively as a hooker this season. He has no great preference for any role.
“I’ll play wherever is good for the team,’’ he said.
“I enjoyed hooker this year, but with Mick Henry returning next year, that’ll put a spanner in the works as far as playing there is concerned.’’
Season-ending injuries to key playing including Henry thwarted Taree’s premiership aspirations this year, although Everitt refused to use this as an excuse.
“It is what it is,’’ he said.
“Injuries are part of the game.’’
Everitt was generally happy with his form, although he admitted it fell away towards the end of the year. He moved back to Old Bar for the lifestyle which he says is conducive to bringing up a young family. His children are at school here and while there’s work, he doesn’t think he’ll be moving anytime soon.