Cole Stewart locking in a big season for Poneke

The last time a specialist lock won the Billy Wallace Best & Fairest award was in 1997 when Poneke legend Richard Watt captured the prize.

Presently two locks are tied at the top of the Best & Fairest standings with Tawa's Hemi Fermanis and Poneke's Cole Stewart sharing the honours after 11 rounds of the Swindale Shield.

Stewart's ascent to such a lofty status is particularly remarkable given his drastic positional swap in 2016.

"I wasn't happy with the way I was playing at centre so I tried to switch back to flanker where I played most often growing up. At Poneke we are spoiled for choice in that position so I was forced to play lock." Stewart explains.

Stewart has been named man of the match by Dominion Post reporters four times in the last five games, including three games on the trot between rounds seven and nine. Additionally, he has scored tries in each of the games he has been awarded three points by newspaper correspondents.

The acclaimed run of form started against Ories on ANZAC Day. Poneke were run down and held to a 30-30 draw with the Swindale Shield leaders, but Ories is a game Stewart always enjoys.

"I made my Premier debut against Ories in 2011. I was marking Roy Kinikinilau and Paulo Aukuso so that was a baptism of fire. I have never beaten Ories, but I have got close and as a Rongotai College old boy that game has extra meaning for me." Stewart explains.

Poneke have lost four games by ten points or less this season. Blowing leads has been a concerning habit. Stewart scored a brilliant individual try to help foil Marist St. Pats 29-27 in Round 8, but that day at Evans Bay Park Poneke nearly blew a 26-6 lead.

After predictably accounting for Johnsonville 30-17 in Round 9, Poneke had an anxious finish to their 23-19 win over Poneke on Saturday.

"We were leaking too many points so we have had some really physical training sessions addressing our defence. Towards the end of the game on Saturday we were under the pump defending our goal line. We knew our season was at stake so that and the extra work we have done paid off. “Stewart says.

Poneke hosts last placed Avalon and Paremata-Plimmerton in the final two rounds of the Swindale Shield. A place in the Jubilee Cup appears more assured despite being two points outside the top eight behind Petone.

"We are taking things one game at a time. The boys are working hard and trying to control our own density." Stewart insists.

Stewart switched to league while at Rongotai College and played fullback. In 2009 he was selected for the First XV where he was chosen at centre and remained. Richard Watt has been a keen advocate of Stewart playing lock.

"Watty comes along to training often. He is always up for a yarn and is a great club man. I have been lucky to have had the support of guys like Sam Rasch, John Jackson, Evan Belford and the Moananu brothers. They have all helped my game." Stewart affirms.

Misipalauni Moananu has played over 250 Premier games for Poneke and is another player who started life as a second five-eighth before moving into the loose forwards and also playing some games at lock. Moananu is currently playing for the Poneke Premier Reserves.

Hemi Fermanis was awarded Man of the Match when Tawa played Poneke. Stewart rates Fermanis highly.

"Hemi has a had a great season. All the locks are tough. I am only 6 foot 2 so I am one of the shorter ones in the competition. What I lack in height I try and make up for around the field." Stewart says.

After the 2016 Jubilee Cup, Stewart spent August to March playing for Dundalk in Ireland. Stewart rues the club's average results, but enjoyed the chance to travel around Europe.

Stewart's father Andrew played for the Wellington Axemen. During the day Cole is a builder. Katie his wife of five years is a nurse and "my greatest friend and critic." Stewart has two older brothers and a sister and would love the chance to one day represent Wellington.

"If that chance comes along it would be awesome. I would like to think the selectors look at older guys which I guess I am now."