This past weekend locals packed out Parklands Showgrounds for the Gold Coast Show, the Grand Final venue of the Gold Coast Blaze’s Rookie of the Year competition.

Friday’s Rookie Heat Four at the Gold Coast Show became the first this Season to avoid a sudden-death shoot-out. 

Nathan Cook emerged from the first round of shooting as the only competitor with a perfect five-from-five record, cementing his spot in the Grand Final to be held on Sunday.

Saturday’s Heat Five played out in similar fashion, with Jai Waterhouse, a finalist from last year’s Rookie competition, beating out the field in the first round with a four-from-five record.

Finally, there was just one sleep until the Rookie Grand Final – one sleep until the 2011 Rookie would be crowned!

Excitement was in the air as Sunday rolled around.

Anthony “Peach” Petrie, Jason Cadee and Tommy Garlepp arrived early and eagerly awaited the finalists arrival.

When all five arrived, Cadee gave them a run through of the toughest finals course in Rookie’s three-year history!

The five finalists were required to dribble the ball up and back through three cones, pass the ball through a target, run back around the cones and finally shoot the ball through the Blaze hoop – TWICE.

Peach grabbed the honours of drawing the order in which the contestants would compete and Pacific Fair Rookie winner Ella Tucker was picked to run first.

Ella had a perfect run through the course, without fumbling or faltering, and set a time of 28.2 seconds to beat.

Lleyton Morgan, who won the very first Rookie Heat at Westfield Helensvale, then hit the course and skimmed an impressive five seconds off Ella’s time to record 23.2 seconds.

The next two competitors, Jai and Nathan failed to match Lleyton’s shooting and passing prowess and his speedy time. 

Only Tweed City Rookie winner Emily Wall was left to run the course.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats as Emily got out of the blocks quickly, leaving Lleyton worried.

A time of 25.3 seconds wasn’t enough to earn Emily the top spot, and Lleyton was crowned the 2011 Rookie of the Year!

As 2011 Rookie of the Year, he takes home a Gold Coast Blaze Season Membership for Season 2011/12 and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to suit-up in Blaze jersey and shorts and run out with the team at their first home game of the year on Friday, October 7.