More honours on horizon for Albion Park

BRENDAN CRABB

THE DOMINANT Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles are emerging as favourites for a prestigious statewide rugby league award.

The Clayton Cup is given to the team with the best playing record over the course of a season across all Country Rugby League competitions.

To be eligible, teams must have won the first grade premiership in their respective competition and also posted an exceptional for-and-against record.

South Coast Rugby League secretary Jim McAuliffe said that applications wouldn't be submitted until all Country Rugby League competitions had finished their seasons.

He said the winner may not be announced until as late as December, but the Eagles' undefeated season has made them a favourite to win the award.

"A wonderful side to go through undefeated; they'll certainly be a hard team to topple with their record," Mr McAuliffe said.

"I believe they're the only undefeated side in country rugby league this season."

The Clayton Cup has only been won previously by one club in the South Coast competition; the Warilla team in 1982.

Retiring Eagles captain/coach Shane Sainsbury was excited at the possibility of the team winning the cup.

"It's a great honour to be considered the best team in the country (competitions), all the boys are rapt about it."

Sainsbury was full of praise for his team's incredible success in 2007.

"It was an awesome effort to go through 18 games undefeated with such a great for and against: you can't ask for more than that.

"I'd also like to thank all of our support staff: Shane Howe, "?Staffy' and Garry King especially."