The NSW Waratahs celebrated their 2024 Season Awards last night at the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, with Lachlan Swinton and Atasi Lafai taking home the top honours of the night.
Swinton and Lafai were selected by their peers as their respective side’s best player across the calendar year, claiming the Matt Burke Cup and Lafai winning the Women’s Player of the Year Award.
In his final season with the Waratahs before departing for France, Swinton was a perpetual force at blindside flanker all season and also took out the club’s Best Forward Award.
The 27-year-old now joins the prestigious list of past Matt Burke Cup winners such as Phil Waugh, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, and Dave Dennis.
Men’s Final Standings
Lachlan Swinton - 219
Dylan Pietsch - 161
Jake Gordon - 161
Charlie Gamble - 150
Mark Nawaqanitawase - 118
Mahe Vailanu – 109
Lafai was a colossal presence at lock for the Waratahs Women and was instrumental in leading the side to their fifth championship.
Previous winners of the Women’s Player of the Year Award include Grace Hamilton, Ash Hewson, Georgina Friedrichs and last year’s winner Piper Duck.
Women’s Final Standings:
Atasi Lafai - 132
Leilani Nathan - 131
Desiree Miller - 91
Caitlyn Halse - 86
Maya Stewart - 68
Skye Churchill - 66
Waratahs Women’s Rookie of the Year – Waiaria Ellis
Waratahs Women’s Best Back – Desiree Miller
Waratahs Women’s Best Forward – Leilani Nathan
Waratahs Women’s Player of the Year – Atasi Lafai
Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah Medal – Miles Amatosero
Dave Dennis Player of the Year (Elite Youth Development Program) – Jack Barrett
Waratahs Men’s Best Back – Jake Gordon
Waratahs Men’s Best Forward – Lachlan Swinton
Matt Burke Cup – Lachlan Swinton
