Obst extends Wakefield stay
Wakefield player of the year Sam Obst has signed a new two-year deal at Belle Vue.
The deal will take the Australian through to the end of the 2011 campaign with the club he first joined in 2005 after spells with Whitehaven, Sydney Roosters and West Tigers.
Fans favourite Obst has been in fine form in 2009 and has appeared in 19 of Wakefield’s Super League XIV fixtures scoring five tries and creating four as the Wildcats ended the regular season in fifth spot.
The 28-year old has been part of the club’s transition from relegation candidates to play-off contenders and he is anticipating more progress at the Hearwell Stadium.
“I’ve been here for a long time and you build a connection with the people at the club and I’m happy to stay.”
“Super League gets harder and harder each year but with the new blokes coming over I think it will be another good couple of years for the club.”
Wakefield Head Coach and Director of Football John Kear has been busy making preparations for his Super League XV squad and believes Obst will once again be a key component of the team next year.
“Sam has been playing very well all year and in recent matches he has been outstanding,” said Kear.
“His performance against Hull KR last Saturday epitomised what he is all about. He took some hefty blows but he kept getting back up and was the best player on the field.”
“He is developing as a rugby league player and I think he can only continue to get better which is why it is excellent news for the club that he has signed this new deal.”
Obst was one of the club’s winners at the annual presentation night held at Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield yesterday evening as he picked up the coveted Man of Steel award.
Other first team winners included Matt Blaymire picking up the Player’s Player of the Year Award; Danny Brough taking the Coach’s Player of the Year accolade and Dale Ferguson being picked out as Wakefield’s ‘Rising Star’.
There were also awards for Damien Blanch as Community Player of the Year whilst Kevin Henderson was named Wakefield Express Best and Fairest Player of the Year.
The Wildcats also rewarded volunteer Alan Edwards with the prestigious Clubman of the Year Award for his tireless work behind the scenes with the club.
Kear said the awards reflected the all-round team effort that has been crucial to success so far in 2009.
“The awards have been spread around the team and I think that just shows you how good a season the team has had as a group.”
“We can’t wait for Saturday night’s game and I think the fans should be very excited about what this team is capable of,” added Kear.