Powerful centre Ryan Cross capped off a stellar Super 14 season by claiming the Western Force Player of the Year award.
Cross, who switched from league to union just two years ago after nine seasons with Sydney Roosters, tied with winger Drew Mitchell and Scott Fava on eight points but snared the award via a countback.
Last year's winner Matt Giteau and lock Tom Hockings finished a point behind, while Nathan Sharpe and Scott Staniforth (six points) also polled strongly.
Cross, who in just his second Wallabies appearance last week scored two tries against France, registered four tries in 10 games for the Force this season before a fractured cheekbone ended his campaign with two rounds remaining.
"I was very surprised when my name was read out to be honest," Cross said.
"Although I felt I had a pretty good season there were a number of other players in the team who performed well throughout the year."
The 28-year-old recently re-signed until 2011 and said he was eager to help the Force improve on this season's eighth-placed finish.
"We really want to be contesting semi-finals next year and pushing for the title," he said.
"Although we didn't make the semi-finals we still achieved a number of goals and have progressed as a team.
"Winning in New Zealand was a major goal and we were able to win two from three there this year.
"We've also got a number of exciting young players coming through so there's good reason to be optimistic about the future."
