It was a case of quality performances, not quantity, for Wests Tigers Toyota Cup Rookie of the Year Matt Hyland.

Hyland received his award from Coach Peter Gentle at the Wests Tigers
2008 Grand Final luncheon at Le Montage, Leichhardt, on Friday, October 3, in front of an audience of more than 1000 people.

A promising forward, Hyland joined the Wests Tigers U20s after finishing his commitments as captain of the Balmain SG Ball team.

Prior to this season, Hyland was a member of the Wests Tigers Cubs program in 2007. He has represented NSW Schoolboys and is a product of renowned rugby league breeding ground, Holy Cross College.

Hyland made his Toyota Cup debut in round 10 against Newcastle Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium on May 18. He ended up playing 10 games for Wests Tigers.

"Matt came into the team at the completion of the SG Ball competition and made an immediate impact," Gentle said.

"He started off on the interchange bench but very quickly progressed into the starting line up.

"As a player, Matt is in the 'Chris Heighington mould' in that he gets through an enormous amount of work with very few errors and plays 80 minutes regularly.

"Due to the team's growing injury toll, Matt was forced to play in the unfamiliar position of front row for long periods of the game.

"He is very popular with the players, has a great work ethic, and is future leader.

"I am looking forward to coaching Matt next season and I'm sure at some stage he will come into NRL calculations. The great thing is that he can still play two more years in the Toyota Cup."