Heath L'Estrange wins T&A Bradford Bulls player of the year

The livewire hooker clinched this year’s prize to become the third Australian winner in as many years, following in the footsteps of Glenn Morrison and Brett Kearney.

Despite having his season cruelly cut short by injury, L’Estrange was a consistent performer throughout his time on the field.

He averaged 7.06 out of ten in the paper’s player ratings, finishing well ahead of the rest of the competition.

Last year’s winner Kearney was second with an average of 6.90, vice-captain Jamie Langley finished with 6.87 across just 15 games and homegrown prop Craig Kopczak had 6.82.

In just two years at Odsal, L’Estrange has quickly become a fans’ favourite.

Signed from Manly Sea Eagles ahead of the 2010 season, the former Australian Schoolboys international settled instantly in England, thanks to a killer combination of craft and enthusiasm.

L’Estrange provides a major source of go-forward for the Bulls and his trademark delayed pass has been crucial to a host of tries.

Despite winning the club’s prestigious supporters’ player of the year award at the end of his first Super League season, his role appeared to be under threat when Bradford signed four-time Super League champion Matt Diskin last winter.

But L’Estrange has only continued to grow in importance, becoming a prominent figure in the team’s leadership group under coach Mick Potter.

In just 14 Super League appearances during the 2011 season, he still managed to make 1,103 metres and 343 tackles, while contributing three tries and six try assists.

The 26-year-old’s efforts were rewarded with a new three-year contract after the 30-16 win at Harlequins in June.

But he fell victim to the Bulls’ dreaded injury curse just a week later, rupturing knee ligaments in the 14-14 draw with St Helens to bring his season to a premature end.

That blow coincided with a dramatic loss of form, Bradford losing seven of their remaining ten games to miss out on a play-off spot for the third year running.