Paul Marshall - One of Ulster's Unsung Heroes?
With awards being given out slightly prematurely by other organisations round this time of year we thought it would be an opportune time to remind you of how voting is proceeeding in the race for the FRONT ROW UNION Player of the Year. 
With over 2350 votes cast to date (not including the Dragons match)the current standings see Ruan Pienaar out in the lead with 307 votes (14% of the vote). After a faitrly close tussle with Humphreys, and others, Pienaar pulled clear with his match winning displays during the Six Nations, a time when Humphreys was injured and when Trimble’s challenge started to faulter.
Diack, who set the early season pace all the way to Week 16, has also struggled to recover his early form after injury and being played out of position.
Player of the Year 2011 Status!
| Player | Total | % | Matches | Ave |
| Pienaar | 307 | 13% | 22 | 14.0 |
| Humphreys | 173 | 7% | 18 | 9.6 |
| Spence | 159 | 7% | 21 | 7.6 |
| Trimble | 140 | 6% | 18 | 7.8 |
| Wannenburg | 131 | 6% | 24 | 5.5 |
| Diack | 122 | 5% | 20 | 6.1 |
| Gilroy | 115 | 5% | 14 | 8.2 |
| Faloon | 99 | 4% | 24 | 4.1 |
| Marshall P | 99 | 4% | 28 | 3.5 |
| Muller | 95 | 4% | 24 | 4.0 |
It’s been a season where Ulster have named, to date, 45 players in thier match day squads with some making more of an impact than others. On a votes per match selected basis we see Ferris and Cave bump into the top 10 and it really is a case of “what might have been” for big Stevie who only made nine match day squads this season. The surprise inclusion is young Patrick Jackson in third place who, despite only making three squad appearances so far this season, has definately made an impression on the voting public. Either that or he has a big family!
Votes per Match Selected.
| Player | Total | % | Matches | Ave |
| Pienaar | 307 | 13% | 22 | 14.0 |
| Ferris | 88 | 4% | 9 | 9.8 |
| Jackson | 29 | 1% | 3 | 9.7 |
| Humphreys | 173 | 7% | 18 | 9.6 |
| Gilroy | 115 | 5% | 14 | 8.2 |
| Trimble | 140 | 6% | 18 | 7.8 |
| Spence | 159 | 7% | 21 | 7.6 |
| Diack | 122 | 5% | 20 | 6.1 |
| Wannenburg | 131 | 6% | 24 | 5.5 |
| Cave | 48 | 2% | 10 | 4.8 |
However the unsung heroes are those Squad players who turn out week after week in the match day squad with little or no chance of getting much game time and here the stats have thrown up the dedicated squad men and it’s somewhat fitting that Paul Marshall with 100% match day involvement, leads the way, followed by the hard working and honest pair of Tim Barker and Chris Henry, all of whom have been remarkably consistent [and available] throughout the season.
Most Match Day Squads
| Player | Total | % | Matches | Ave |
| Marshall P | 99 | 4% | 28 | 3.5 |
| Barker | 58 | 2% | 27 | 2.1 |
| Henry | 29 | 1% | 27 | 1.1 |
| Young | 8 | 0% | 26 | 0.3 |
| Faloon | 99 | 4% | 24 | 4.1 |
| Muller | 95 | 4% | 24 | 4.0 |
| Wannenburg | 131 | 6% | 24 | 5.5 |
| Whitten I | 4 | 0% | 24 | 0.2 |
| D’Arcy | 42 | 2% | 23 | 1.8 |
| Kyriacou | 47 | 2% | 23 | 2.0 |
We’ll bring you more analysis over the next few weeks, depending on how long Ulster’s season lasts!
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6 Responses to “The FRONT ROW UNION Player of the Year Update.”
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Could you explain how this match involvement is calculated please.
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It’s the number of match day squads they have been in. They haven’t necessarily been playing but they have at least been on the subs bench.
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thanx
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When’s the announcement?
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Couple of weeks yet rekinek. We have to complete voting for the Leinster game MotM first and then there is a two week open house on voting when you can vote for your top three players!
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like a play – offs
Cool!
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