Bond AFL’s star midfielder Nathan Rataj has been awarded the QFA Division 2 South Seniors Best and Fairest Col Tobiasen Medal.
Rataj shared the award with Coolangatta’s Ned Lanyon who was tied with him on 17 votes.
In a nod to the Bull Sharks’ depth of talent, runner-up for the award was Rataj’s teammate and fellow Tasmanian, Bond’s 2023 Club Champion Oliver Burrows-Cheng.
“It feels pretty special to be awarded such a prestigious medal,” Rataj said.
“Each year I think every player sets a team goal plus an individual goal, and this year mine was just to play to the best of my ability, so this medal represents a season of hard work for me.”
Rataj first joined the Bull Sharks in 2020 when he moved to the Gold Coast from Tasmania.
During his time at Bond Rataj has persevered through injuries and setbacks, showing dedication to the sport, his team and himself.
In July of this year Rataj took part in the highly anticipated South Queensland vs North Queensland showdown in Cairns where he stood out as the only Division 2 player to make the South Queensland representative team.
"Playing in that team was such a great experience,” he said.
“It was a very fast-paced game and I certainly noticed a higher standard within the Division 1 players, but being amongst that team gave me a bit more confidence going into the second half of our Bond season."
While receiving the Col Tobiasen Medal marked a special moment in his 2023 season, Rataj said the Bull Sharks’ round 12 match was his overall highlight of the year.
"We were playing the undefeated Burleigh Bombers at their home ground and Bond had never previously won at Burleigh,” he said.
“We ended up beating them by several goals and I think as a team, that was our turning point of the season where we really found our confidence.”
Following the game the Bull Sharks went on an undefeated streak that stretched right up until the grand final.
While the senior men came unstuck in the big dance, 2023 certainly provided many other wins for Bond as a collective, and the individuals involved.
“If you ask anyone, the culture at Bond is unmatched,” he said.
“That’s what keeps me and every other player coming back each year.”