The Easts Tigers have made two significant appointments for the upcoming Intrust Super Cup season with key forwards Matt ‘Fridge’ Zgrajewski and Dane Hogan set to take on leadership roles.
Zgrajewski was unveiled as the club captain, while Hogan will take on the role of Intrust Super Cup captain.
For Hogan, his appointment comes on the back of arguably career-best form in 2014 which saw him crowned the Tigers Player of the Year.
He also earned Queensland Residents selection and a nomination for the QRL XXXX Player of the Year.
He was one of the Tigers best performing players all year and showed real maturity and leadership both on and off field; attributes that were undoubtedly part of the reason for his elevation to the captaincy.
Entering his third season with the club, the former Cowboy – who has also had stints with the Mackay Cutters and Northern Pride – said he was “honoured to be captain of such a historic club” and was “looking forward to another great season”.
In 2012, Zgrajewski showed what a true club man he was when he turned his back on the chance to pursue an opportunity in the NRL to remain in Brisbane and devote himself fully to the Tigers.
At the age of 25, he has already played 81 Intrust Super Cup games for the club, and if not for injury, would have passed the 100 game mark last season. This is a milestone he will be looking to achieve in 2015.
Zgrajewski said he was “immensely proud to be involved with such a great club” and sees the captaincy role as one of liaising between the players and the clubs administration and of organising the off field activities for the players.
Coach Craig Ingebrigsten said both players were well deserving of their new roles.
“They are fine young men who epitomise the qualities of humility, integrity and hard work that are such important components of everything our club is about,” he said.
Both are immensely well-respected and liked by their peers and supporters alike and their appointments will be well received by everyone involved with the club.
