End of Season Awards 2019

Sandy Park hosted one of its biggest events of 2019 on Thursday, when nearly 640 guests attended the Exeter Chiefs End of Season Dinner. 

Santiago Cordero’s brilliant on-field performances this season were duly rewarded at the Exeter Chiefs End of Season Dinner as he was crowned the club's Player of the Year.

In what has been a remarkable 12 months for the 25-year-old, not only has he established himself as a recognised fans' favourite amongst the Exeter supporters, but he has produced some dazzling displays that have helped the Chiefs to finish top of the table at the end of the regular season.

With 10 tries already to his name this season - including his effort in the Heineken Champions Cup against Castres, which won him the Individual Try of the Season accolade on the night - it's little wonder he has been the talk of the town at the Devon club this season.

Awarded the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month for March as well, Cordero - who will move to French Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles next season - says he is determined to end his stay with the Chiefs on a high note.

"It has been an amazing season for me and the club," said Cordero. "To win the Players' Player award is very special. However, I could not have done what I have without the support of my team-mates and the coaches."

As well as picking up the Players' Player prize and the Individual Try of the Season, Cordero is a three-way battle for the club's top try-scorer alongside skipper Jack Yeandle and Kvesic.

Other award winners on the night were Joe Simmonds, who picked up the Young Player of the Year, Joe Parker-Cook, who picked up the Community Player of the Year, while long-serving lock Ollie Atkins was awarded the Team Man of the Year.

As well as the awards, Chief Executive Tony Rowe OBE and Director of Rugby Rob Baxter both addressed the audience; Kai Horstmann conducted a Q&A with international stars Jack Nowell, Nic White Ollie Devoto, Dave Dennis and Harry Williams, whilst the crowd were later entertained by the band Reckless.

The evening, as always, was helping to raise funds for the club’s official charity, the Exeter Foundation, which in the end benefited to the tune of over £20,000 thanks to the hugely successful Live Auction, Silent Auction and Raffle.

A top evening was capped off by a mouth-watering three-course dinner served up by Sandy Park head chef Craig Beacham.

AWARD WINNERS

CENTRAX PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Santiago Cordero

SW COMMS YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Joe Simmonds

MJ BAKER CLUB MAN OF THE YEAR - Ollie Atkins

OTTER BREWERY TRY OF THE SEASON - Santiago Cordero

NUFFIELD HEALTH COMMUNITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Joe Parker-Cook

PACKEXE TOP TRY SCORER - Contenders for this award are Santiago Cordero, Matt Kvesic and Henry Slade.