Buce League 2009 Awards
The 2009 Buce League ended on the 31st of Janurary, 2009, when the Grand Final between the Avalanches and the Hawks was played. Afterwards, a grand party was held, in which many of the league's Players attended, and the awards for 2009 were voted on and announced. After the announcements, captains of all teams made heartfelt speeches about the successes and surprises of the league.
The Awards[edit]
Serious Awards:
- Best Defender
- Best Midfielder
- Best Attacker
- Best All-rounder
- Most valuable team player
- Most valuable individual player
- Best Support Player
- Rookie of the Year
- Rivalry of the Year (Team)
- Rivalry of the Year (Individual)
Fun Awards:
- Laziest Player
- Worst Player
- Most Dangerous Player
- Player who has no skill but still tries his hardest
- Angriest/Most Serious Player
- Most Loveable Player
- Most Hateable Player
- Funniest Player
Series/Media awards:
- Man of the Series
- Play of the Year (Buce News)
- Presenter of the Year (Buce News)
The Winners[edit]
Congratulations to all the people who were voted into these awards by their peers:
Best Defender[edit]
Dawes entered the 2009 Buce League having played one training game with the Quad Team in mid-2008, 6 months before the 2009 league started. It was a surprise, then, that after dropping the radar for 6 months, he was asked to join the Avalanches, who were a player short of entering the competition.
Despite the surprise recruitment, Dawes had a reputation to fulfil. In his one game in 2008, Dawes scored a Double Buce on one of his first touches. And despite a shakey start, Dawes got his rhythm and rose to the challenge of commanding a defense for the league winning team. During the league, The Avalanches only conceeded 3 points, compared to all other teams, who conceeded between 17 and 33 points.
"I was drafting my team at the start of the league and I couldn't find anyone. Then I thought: 'Who is the most annoying and difficult player to score against?' and the name popped into my head: Dawes." - Charlie
Best Midfielder[edit]
Despite the dissapointing turnout of the Sonic Force Buce Club, Alec upheld his reputation as a flawless juggler and a great midfielder. While he wasn't able to pull SFBC out of last place in the league, he certainly displayed the potential he has been remembered for from the last league.
Best Attacker[edit]
Charlie captained The Avalanches and helped bring Ashley Everson to 2nd on the 2009 Top Scorers list, second only to Charlie himself. Their consistant attacking teamwork ensured that their team had the firepower to come back from any position in a game. Charlie almost lost to Guy Bevan in the Top Scorers struggle, but eventually managed to surpass him in the last round, keeping himself with the same Golden Boot that he has claimed all 3 years that Buce has been played.
Best All-Rounder[edit]
Charlie Rogers
While Charlie doesn't defend as much as last year's winner of this award, Guy Bevan, Charlie is second-to-none in the attacking midfield position of Buce, thanks to his juggling, passing and shooting skills. His all-round ability was proved this year when he stepped down from his normal position of striker, to fill the midfield gap in his team. He not only excelled as midfielder, but also managed to maintain top scorer for the league, a true achievement for the player.
"There are just two things: Fear and Charlie Rogers" - Lewis Freeland
Most Valuable Team Player[edit]
Guy Bevan and Jacob Dawes
Guy Bevan and Jacob Dawes proved this year that, even in the fast-paced and physically demanding games that the 2009 league had, a player can be a huge force in both attack and defense. Guy Bevan dragged his team through the league with his goal scoring success, and Dawes strengthened both attack and defense of his team when needed.
Most Valuable Individual Player[edit]
Charlie Rogers
Once again, Charlie was able to return in a form that ensured his dominance over others in a small area on the field, granting him this award for a second year.
Best Support Player[edit]
Andrew Shakespeare and Alec Forbes
Both of these players were able to demonstrate that they were not only capable of setting up points, but score them as well. Not only this, but with a great defensive record, Shakespeare and Dawes are truly great all rounders in the game of Buce, and a huge asset to their teams.
Rookie of the Year[edit]
Rising to the expectations of the Buce League, rookie Callan Wrightson became the single top scorer for Team Blek and was the only player to score against the Avalanches in the entire ladder competition. His blocking and accurate passing earned his position today as 2009 Rookie of the Year.
Rivalry of the Year (Team)[edit]
Hawks vs SFBC and Hawks vs Avalanches
The Hawks and the Sonic Force Buce Club had to fight desperately to make it into the Grand Final, and after the round 5 controversy between the two teams (which ended in the match being replayed entirely), there was a bit of bad blood between the two teams, some would argue. With the Hawks winning the match and facing the Avalanches, as grand finalists, there was a great rivalry to display on the field. As the best the Front and Quad Teams had to offer, the Avalanches and Hawks had a long-standing rivalry which was only settled in the Grand Final.
Rivalry of the Year (Individual)[edit]
Charlie Rogers and Guy Bevan
As the old titans of Buce split up into separate teams this year, it was hard to decide how the ladder would turn out. Both captains opted for teams with a very different style, and as the competition went on, Bevan and Rogers continually scrambled for the hailed Golden Boot- the top scorer in the league.
Bevan burst out in front as he adapted to the competition and took top scorer for the entire competition, with Rogers close behind after every game. In the last round though, Charlie finally caught up and surpassed Guy's point tally- winning the Golden Boot for 3 years in a row.
Special mention goes to Mandeep vs The World.
Laziest Player[edit]
After Evie's successful foray into the activity called 'movement', there wasn't much room for him in the changeroom of Team Lazy. Luckily, Curley was ready at the helm, to take over, and show that you don't have to be active to score.
Guy Bevan Stray Dog Award[edit]
Initially a dropout from the Quad Team, Toby was recruited when Bevan's SFBC faced issues with player turnout. As a player he wasn't able to cut it with the hardened, professional players and offers a testimate to the evolution of Buce since it was played in 2007.
Most Dangerous Player[edit]
With the exception of Mandeep, the players of the 2009 Buce League were a lot more reserved and professional in their playing styles. So it was no surprise when Osman, who only made one appearance in the entire league, won this award for the second year in a row. Rick's one-time appearance made players like Steele quiver in fear as he stamped around the field, cleaning up everything in his foots way.
Player who has no skill but tries his hardest[edit]
An old-schooler from the Quad Team, Cherrie continued his Buce career with The Avalanches, but it didn't stop players from criticising his playing style and lack of skill.
Despite this, Cherrie still attended almost every game and played his hardest, never taking time off onto the bench, and always doing his role on the field.
Angriest/Most Serious Player[edit]
Mandeep entered the league with a reputation, and took it to the limit throughout 2009. He even had a heated confrontation with last year's Angriest Player, Charlie Rogers- and it was surprising the city didn't explode when their tempers mixed.
Most Loveable Player[edit]
LEWIS
LEWIS' ability to laugh at the most crucial times and his delivery of on the spot witticisms in the 2009 league secured him this award. A veteran of the game LEWIS has always been one of the most friendly and easy going players of the league. His attitude mixed with his skill with the sack makes LEWIS stand out as a loveable character in the game.
Most Hateable Player[edit]
Mandeep
Mandeep's on-field persona was one of anger, whining and unnecessary screaming. He entered the league playing for The Hawks and surprised many players with his constant nagging of the rules and players. Mandeep was marked early as an annoying player and continued to surpass his own standard set each match eventuating in an on-field confrontation with game pioneer Charlie Rogers.
Funniest Player[edit]
Mandeep Anand and Ashley Everson
Both funny for different reasons, Mandeep made the masses laugh with his incredible screaming and uncontrollable whining. Ashley, with his heart of gold, made Buce followers wet themselves as he constantly tripped over, mucked up easy shots, and missed out on a Double Buce by a millimetre- twice.
Man of the Series[edit]
Charlie Rogers
With the expectation to fullfil, Charlie didn't let up as he captained his team to the Grand Final without losing a match- and almost without conceeding a point. His team fell behind in the Grand Final to the 5th Double Buce ever scored- and managed, despite the difficult mental barrier, to continue back on and win the match 8-4.
Having said that, Charlie Rogers did actually organize the entire series, too.
Play of the Year[edit]
Wilson's behind-head-scoop was a beautiful sight and was voted Play of the Year above Keith Victor's header-buce and Charlie Rogers' Godfoot. The buce also won the match for the team, and summarised the Hawk's success in the league.
Presenter of the Year[edit]
Nick took the National Buce News position of Presenter in Episode 2 to fill in for Guy Bevan, and showed us all his classy wit, sassy humour and professionalism that could only be rivaled by Ron Burgundy himself.