Nathan Friend wins Paul Broughton Medal!

Nathan Friend over the moon

GOLD Coast hooker Nathan Friend insists he has never regretted joining the Titans despite watching his former club Melbourne cement their status as the team of the decade on Sunday.

A member of the Storm's losing grand final side in 2006, Friend left Melbourne to break out of Cameron Smith's shadow and join the Gold Coast for their inaugural campaign.

Melbourne have gone on to make the next three grand finals in a row, winning two premierships.

"You would think I would be filthy but I wouldn't have it any other way," said Friend.

"I came up here for an opportunity and I have certainly loved moving to the Coast. I am very happy with where I am at and I couldn't have asked for any better.

"It is a fantastic location, I have met some great people and we played some good footy this year as a team, so it all really makes for a happy life.

"It would have been nice to see the Titans there (in the grand final), that is for sure.

"But we have to learn from what happened in the semis this year and hopefully rectify that next year."

The move to the Titans has paid great dividends for Friend.

Now a top hooker, Friend experienced a breakout season in 2009, adding new attacking elements to his game to complement his renowned rock solid defensive abilities.

The 28-year-old became the first Titan to break the 2000-tackle barrier in a season this year and holds the record for the most number of games for the Gold Coast.

Friend will head into the club awards presentation tonight at Conrad Jupiters as favourite to win the Paul Broughton Medal.

The medal, named after the club's founder and chairman, is awarded to the player who accrues the most votes on a 3-2-1 basis.

Titans coaching staff award the points after every game throughout the season and before voting went behind closed doors after Round 16, Friend was leading the charge on 18 points from Preston Campbell (16), Scott Prince (10), Ashley Harrison (10) and Luke Bailey (7).

Friend finished runner-up last year behind Campbell, while Bailey and Anthony Laffranchi were joint winners of the award in 2007.

"I am enjoying the holiday and free time with the family at the moment, so I haven't thought too much about it," said Friend.

"It would be a nice bonus.

"But I dare say it could be Presto's turn again this year, he was only a couple points behind me when it went silent. He finished the year off well and would be a deserving winner if he gets it again."

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

I asked Nathan the same question last Wednesday & he said the same thing to me, he would prefer to live here & play for the Titans rather than still be in Melbourne :thumbsup:

Well I for 1 am VERY glad he is on the Coast and not in Melbourne :thumbsup:

a MASSIVE congrats to NATHAN FRIEND on winning the 2009 Paul Broughton Medal by 1 point over Presto

well done friendy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by daveyk

a MASSIVE congrats to NATHAN FRIEND on winning the 2009 Paul Broughton Medal by 1 point over Presto
well done friendy

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Make that too my brother it was 27 to 25

Friend wins Paul Broughton Medal
Adam Gardini

Jetstar Gold Coast Titans hooker Nathan Friend has been rewarded for his courage and consistency after being crowned the winner of the prestigious Paul Broughton Medal.

At a gala awards night at Jupiters Casino involving Titans players, sponsors and fans, Friend was named the winner of the Paul Broughton Medal after finishing the regular season on 27 points, two clear of livewire Preston Campbell (25) and co-captain Scott Prince (22).

In a thrilling finish to the medal count featuring the same two players that stood out for the club last season, Friend and Campbell were tied on 24 points coming into the final round of the regular season.

However, the courageous hooker won the award after receiving the maximum of three points in the club?s Round 26 match against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

The honour was just reward for Friend, who finished a narrow second in last year?s Paul Broughton Medal behind Campbell.



Accepting the award last night, he paid tribute to wife Kelly for her support.

?I am getting paid for something I love and that is probably the best part," he said.

?When I train and play I enjoy what I do, I am living the dream."

Paul Broughton Medal Tally:

27 Nathan Friend
25 Preston Campbell
22 Scott Prince
11 Brad Meyers
10 Ashley Harrison

The Medal was not the only honour received by Friend on the night, with the hard working No.9 also receiving the Titans Members Choice Player of the Year.

It was the first time the award has been presented, with Titans members given the chance to vote for their favourite performer throughout the year.

Campbell did not leave home empty handed after being awarded the Titans Community Award for the tireless work he does for the club off the field.

Rookie of the Year went to flying young winger Kevin Gordon, who capped a stellar debut season with 23 appearances from a possible 26 games for the club in which he also scored 13 tries.

The 19-year-old also picked up the club?s Try of the Year award for his freakish try down the left wing against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Round 10.

Valuable utility Luke O?Dwyer also was rewarded for his efforts both on and off the field in 2009 after being named the Clubman of the Year.

Under-20s hooker Kayne Lawton was rewarded for his consistency by being named the National Youth Competition (NYC) Player of the Year.

Source: http://www.titans.com.au

Double win to Nathan Friend

TOUGH Gold Coast hooker Nathan Friend last night won both the Paul Broughton Medal and members' choice player of the year title to claim a spectacular double at the Titans end-of-season awards dinner at Conrad Jupiters.

After finishing runner-up for the Broughton Medal last season, Friend took out the club's two top honours as the Titans celebrated a successful 2009 campaign.

It was a well-earned reward for the gutsy rake, who was the only Titan to play all 26 matches this year, averaging an incredible 79.3 minutes per game.

It also caps a remarkable turn around in fortune for the 28-year-old, who at the start of the season was without a club for 2010 and survived attempts by the club to lure Queensland rake Cameron Smith and NSW playmaker Robbie Farah as his replacement.

Titans managing director Michael Searle said Friend was a deserving winner and embodied the spirit of the club.

"It is a real reflection of the way he has embraced the challenges of the year," said Searle.

"Nathan has been outstanding and displays all of the qualities that will hopefully one day lead this team to the grand final."

Awarded in similar fashion to the NRL's Dally M and AFL's Brownlow Medal, the Broughton Medal is tallied on a 3-2-1 points basis for every game throughout the year.

The judging panel consisted of the Titans' coaching staff, headed by boss John Cartwright.

Going into the final round of the regular season, Friend was locked on 24 points alongside last year's Broughton Medal winner Preston Campbell, with co-captain Scott Prince still a chance on 22.

Against Manly at Brookvale Oval, Friend picked up the maximum of three votes to clinch the award, Campbell claiming one point.

Prince finished third on 22, while Brad Meyers (11) was fourth and Ashley Harrison (10) fifth.

It was the first time the members' choice player of the year award has been presented, with Titans members getting the opportunity to vote for their favourite performer.

Flying teenage winger Kevin Gordon was named rookie of the year and won the award for try of the year, for a swerving solo effort against the Broncos in Round 10 at Suncorp Stadium.

The 19-year-old finished the year with 13 four-pointers from 23 games to finish the season as the Titans leading try-scorer ahead of Mat Rogers (11), David Mead (8), Chris Walker (8) and Scott Prince (7).

"Kevie has really evolved a lot quicker than we expected but the rookie of the year was a red-hot field this season," said Searle.

"We expect big things of him next year and the likes of David Mead and Esi Tonga.

Impact forward Luke O'Dwyer was named clubman of the year, while Campbell took out the community award.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

What a champion bloke, congratulations Nathan, cheers to Kelly and the boys. Keep it going for next year.:thumbsup:

Runner up last year and winner this year and to think there seemed to be hesitation in signing him for next year.
Not sure what the Titan's management were thinking in that regard.
They were fortunate not to loose him.:thumbsup: