VOTE NOW! END OF SEASON POLL 2021

After a strange season, its time for a strange version of our End of Season Poll. Some old questions and some new ones. Feel free to vote in as many (or as few) categories as you like but PLEASE VOTE! You have 10 days to send your votes in Send  your votes to: unofish@hotmail.co.uk or send a PM to DG.      Closing Date midnight 24th August                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

1.        SARACENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Last year this award went to Maro Itoje but he, like many has been away for much of this season and the hard work has been down to those left behind. So who will it be? Tim Swinson was Saracens’ own choice. How about Aled Davies who just got better and better, Springbok International Vincent Koch who anchored the scrum through a very difficult season, Sean Maitland who kept running in tries or maybe one of our internationals who put their heart and soul into winning this league when they could: Jamie George, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly? Or maybe your vote goes to someone else - the choice is yours!

2.        SARACENS YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Had things gone to plan this was the season for the young guns to make their mark, but as we know, best laid plans etc etc. Still a couple of our youngsters did put their hands up and enhanced their reputations: Elliott Obatoyinbo grew in stature at full back, Sean Reffell went a long way towards claiming the 7 shirt, Callum Hunter-Hill formed a brilliant 2^nd row partnership with Tim Swinson, Dom Morris grew in stature in Brad’s enormous boots and it was great to see Ralph Adams-Hale back up front. Or perhaps one of our other youngsters caught your eye. Who gets your vote?

3.        SARACENS OLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

It had to go to Brad last year but sadly Captain Fantastic is no more so who has earned the accolade this year? Tim Swinson – who came out of retirement? Vincent Koch? Jackson Wray (yes he’s the wrong side of 30) ? Juan-Pablo Socino? Duncan Taylor  (he’s almost 32), Sean Maitland (a veteran almost 33!) Or does someone else fall into the land of the Golden Oldie? Who is your grand old man?

4.        SARACENS UNSUNG HERO

Last year Callum Clark was your choice but this year who is the guy who plays anywhere and does all the hard graft? Arguably any of our internationals (Farrell, Itoje, Tompkins especially) who demanded of Mark McCall that they play for their club and get it back into the Premiership. Baz Barrington never says no. Jamie George pretty much carried the entire scrum on his broad shoulders. World Cup winner Vincent Koch knuckled down and got on with it. Jackson Wray as always was there for the team. There will be many others but who gets your vote as Saracens’ unsung hero?

5.        SARACENS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

A new category this year – which of our players showed the biggest improvement throughout the season? Elliott Obatoyinbo looked increasingly solid in Goodey’s (2) shoes. Aled Davies went from zero to hero throughout the season. Vincent Koch learned so many of the championship’s dark arts. Rotimi Segun got better and better. Alex Clarey has earned his place in Vinnie’s absence. But you might have someone else in mind – who is your choice as Sarries’ most improved player?

6.        BEST “ONE SEASON” IMPORT

Another new category. Before the season started, Sarries signed a number of players to get them through their assault on the Championship (best laid plans etc etc). Many of them were only with us for a season but which one was the “best buy”. Tim Swinson was fabulous. Will Hooley, Juan Pablo Socino and Harry Sloan never let the side down when they got the chance. Alex Day filled a hole when needed. Jaco Venter remains with us. Which of these journeymen was our best one season signing?

7.        BEST LOANEE

Hopefully this will be a one-off category but a number of our players spent the year out on loan and they all covered themselves with glory so it’s going to be a hard job to pick one. Max Malins and Ben Earl were both instrumental in Bristol’s brilliant season (and Brizz would happily have retained them both - fortunately they came back). Nick Isiekwe won the hearts of the Saints’ fans (no mean feat). Alex Lozowski went to France on the list of “worst signings in the Top 14”. By the time he returned from Montpelier he was a first choice 10 having seamlessly taken the place of the injured Handre Pollard. Nick Tompkins’ time in Wales brought him further International recognition but he too was pleased to return and Alex Goode seems to have had a whale of a time in Japan even though his team, NEC Green Rockets, didn’t win a match. Difficult choice but which of these guys will you be the happiest to see back in a Sarries’ shirt?

8.        FAVOURITE SARRIES PLAYER

This one has to be a matter of personal choice and we all have our favourites. Last year the winner was Alex Goode but who will it be this time? Who is your favourite Saracen ? Over to you……

9.        RETURNEE WHO MADE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE

The return of the cavalry was a big moment last season and the way the guys pitched in to help the club was great to see but which of them made the biggest difference? Mako or Jamie in the scrum? Lions’ player of the series Maro Itoje just about everywhere. Faz controlling things at 10? Daly marshalling the backs? A revitalised Nick Tompkins looking like an able replacement for Brad. Alex Goode, just because he’s Alex Goode. Which of our returning International players had the biggest impact on the team?

      10.    BEST MEMBER OF THE COACHING STAFF             

Another new award – I don’t know why we haven’t done this one before! The loss of Alex Sanderson showed just how important the backroom staff are. Mark McCall is of course brilliant but he couldn’t do it on his own. He is ably supported by Joe Shaw (Head Coach) Kevin Sorrell (backs coach), Dan Vickers (mental skills), Ian Peel (forwards) Adam Powell (defence) and now Kelly Brown (assistant coach). Which one of them would you NOT want to lose?

      11.    BEST OPPOSITION PLAYER

Tricky one this – we played some amazing Championship Teams last season and sadly had to rely on TV for most of the games so not the best way to assess the opposition. But did any one player particularly impress you? Was there someone we played who you thought – yes he could be worth having? I was impressed by Luke Scully down at Cornish Pirates what about you?

     12.    CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE MOST LIKELY TO DO AN EXETER (EXCLUDING EALING)

The Championship sides we faced last season were amazing. Every one of them brought their best game to us and I am still really sad we didn’t get the chance to visit these real rugby clubs in person but which of them has what it takes to get into the Premiership? (I’ve taken it as a given that Ealing will be the next one). Doncaster Knights maybe, or Coventry or Cornish Pirates? They all have such ambition and given the enormous sacrifices so many of them have made just to keep going, it would be a real shame if they don’t receive enough funding to reach their potential. Which one do you think could make the big time?

      13.    PLAYER YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO SIGN FOR SARACENS

Last year you went for Antoine DuPont. Sadly he wasn’t available (although we signed Van Zyl & De Haas instead and Aled has upped his game) but who would you go for this year? I would like to see a decent hooker as back up to Jamie (Ethan Lewis remains an unknown so far) Ronan Kelleher maybe – oh go on the evil-looking Malcolm Marx! Who would you like to see at the StoneX?

      14.    WORST LOCKDOWN HAIRCUT

As suggested by you, who sported the worst Barnet during lockdown. I made a note of Mike Rhodes and Ali Crossdale as being pretty special but was someone else’s hairdo equally memorable?

      15.     BEST REFEREE

We had some difference whistle blowers this season along with the usual subjects. Who impressed you most? Last year you went for Karl Dickson but what about this season? I was impressed with Sara Cox – it wasn’t her fault we lost to Cornish Pirates. Jack Makepiece also impressed against Jersey then the big guns were wheeled out for the play off when Luke Pearce and Wayne Barnes were in charge. Maybe another “Please Sir” impressed you even more. Who is your choice of Best Referee?

      16.   TOM FOLEY AWARD FOR WORST REFEREE

As night follows day, worst follows best. The rather harsh “sacking” of our bete noir J P Doyle leaves the field somewhat smaller. I think we may have escaped the eponymous Mr Foley’s clutches last season but which of his colleague makes your heart sink? Ian Tempest remains one of my least favourites. Who are you least looking forward to seeing in September?

      17.   BEST MEDIA PERFORMANCE BY A RUGBY BROADCASTER OR CELEBRITY (EXCLUDING PODCASTS)

Last year this went to David Flatman – what about this time? Live-screening has introduced us to a number of other “commentators” including some of our own players past and present. Will Greenwood has done his last stint on Sky. Thankfully Miles Harrison is now well enough to return to commentary. Andrew Cotter and his dogs have kept us all sane throughout lockdown. Who is your favourite Rugby broadcaster?

      18.   BEST RUGBY PODCAST

A new category this time – there are so many rugby pods out there its impossible to listen to them all even during lockdown. The traditional Rugby Pod and Rugby Union Weekly (the addition of Ashy has made it more listenable) have been joined by many many more: Eggchasers, The Ruck, Flats and Shanks, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby , House of Rugby (Alex Goode great!), and of course our very own Fezcast produced by Matt and Jez. Which one is your favourite?

      19.   STUART BARNES AWARD FOR THE WORST RUGBY PRESENTER OR PODCAST

I’ve lumped these together for the downside – who irritates you most? The Cockwomble has lost his crown in recent times to the equally loathsome Andy Goode. Will he win again or has someone else annoyed you even more – Danny Care  has come pretty close along with some pretty biased stuff on BT. But who really does make your guts wrench?

       20.   MICHAEL GENTLEMAN AWARD FOR THE BEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE MESSAGE BOARD

So this one is down to you guys and gals. I would like to thank TonyTaff for his years of dedication to this MB after he stepped down earlier this season and my fellow mods Philip (Innings), Jonny (Brown) and Matt (Stumpy) for stepping into the breach. Philip and Jonny for their many excellent articles and Matt for his IT support. (Sorry this sounds like an Oscar speech). And thank you all who have continued to read the drivel we write and contribute in your own way. We always welcome new scribes – previews, reports, anything you like is much appreciated. Here’s to a new Premiership season.

EMAIL YOUR VOTES TO: unofish@hotmail.co.uk by Midnight on 24th August