Ashley GRAHAM [
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Sat October 8, 2011
Source: www.cowboys.com.auWinger Ashley Graham has been rewarded for his best season in the NRL with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys by winning the Paul Bowman Medal for the Cowboy of the Year in 2011.
The 27-year-old, who has been a Cowboy since 2006, received the medal from Cowboys life member and foundation player Paul Bowman in front of 530 guests at the Presentation Ball at Jupiters Townsville.
Courage, speed, skill and an exemplary attitude on and off the field were the hallmarks of Graham's season, his 10th in the NRL.
He polled 26 votes, four ahead of runner-up Johnathan Thurston, with Matthew Scott and James Tamou sharing third on 22.
Graham played in all 25 NRL games for the Cowboys, who made the finals for the first time since 2007, and it's widely believed that the winger has never played better or more consistent football.
Almost every week, Graham topped the Cowboys statistics sheet for most hit-ups and most metres gained and he finished in the top three in both categories in the NRL.
He scored some of the most spectacular tries of the season in his club-high haul of 12 for the year and was recognised by the NRL in their inaugural Academic Team of the Year.
Coach Neil Henry said Graham's season was a key factor in the club's return to the top eight.
"There's no doubt Ash had a wonderful season with the Cowboys this year," Henry said.
"Not only did he play every game for the club, his involvement and running game in particular were outstanding.
"It's undoubtedly the best season he's had with the Cowboys if not his whole NRL career.
"His professionalism sets a great example for everyone connected with our club."
Other awards presented tonight were:
2011 Players Player of the Year: Johnathan ThurstonThere was no better player in the NRL for much of the 2011 season than Toyota Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston.
His attacking brilliance helped to guide his side into the top four until a knee injury sustained in State of Origin put a five-game halt on an outstanding year.
Thurston ended the year in the top five in the NRL in most points, most try assists and most linebreak assists and scored 10 tries of his own.
His fellow players witnessed close up the inspirational work of their co-captain and have recognised him with this award.
2011 Cowboys Toyota Cup Player of the Year: Jason TaumaloloThere is no doubt that Taumalolo was a dominant force in the Toyota Cup under-20s competition.
His blockbusting runs which often left a number of defenders strewn in his wake were a feature of another outstanding season by the Cowboys in the NYC.
Until being called up to the NRL team later in the season, the 18-year-old was leading the Toyota Cup in most hit-ups and most metres gained and he was named in the competition's Team of the Year as well as winning the RLPA's NYC Player of the Year award.
He has been named in the Junior Kiwis squad to face the Junior Kangaroos on 16 October.
2011 Rookie of the Year and Townsville Bulletin Fans' Choice: Tariq SimsLast year's Toyota Cup Player of the Year only had to wait two games to make his NRL debut for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.
Once he did, there was no stopping the 21-year-old, who is one of the outstanding young prospects in the competition.
Until a broken leg sadly ended his season before the finals, Tariq played in 20 matches, scoring five tries, including a memorable double against Canberra.
His crunching hits and rampaging charges saw him become a finalist in the Dally M Rookie of the Year and Second-Rower of the Year.
2011 Townsville Bulletin Most Improved NQ Cowboy: Ray ThompsonThe 21-year-old made the No.6 jersey his own for the Toyota Cowboys in 2011.
He was one of only three players to play every NRL game for the club this season and he earned the respect of his teammates, coaching staff and opponents for his defensive ability and workrate.
His attacking game prospered as the season went on and was further proof that he has a bright future in the NRL.
Thu August 25, 2011
Paul Gallen, Ben Creagh, Chris Lawrence, Sam Perrett, Preston Campbell, Andrew Ryan, Robbie Farah and Jason King are among the NRL stars to earn selection in a new representative side that is changing the face of rugby league - the inaugural NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year.
With the support of more than $A4.6 million in education grants each year from the NRL and clubs, 80 per cent of NRL players have completed or are currently engaged in further education or workplace training, ranging from university studies in law, commerce, pharmacy and physiotherapy to small business owners, trades and other vocational education training. Across the game:
* 62 NRL players (14%) are enrolled or have completed a University Degree; a further 98 Toyota Cup players (19%) are enrolled in a University Degree;
* 250 NRL players (55%) are enrolled or have completed a Vocational Education Training (Certificate II to Diploma); another 120 Toyota Cup players (22%) are also enrolled or have completed a VET programme;
* 52 NRL players (11%) have completed at least two years of a trade apprenticeship; while 59 Toyota Cup players (13%) are currently working as an apprentice;
* The remaining 20% of NRL players have either participated in short courses, work experience or have undergone a skills assessment to determine career pathways outside of rugby league.
In addition, the NO WORK, NO STUDY, NO PLAY policy implemented in the Toyota Cup ensures all under 20 players are actively engaged in the development of a post-rugby league career.
To celebrate the significant role further education and workplace training plays across the game, NRL chief executive David Gallop and NRL-RLPA welfare and education committee chairman Mark Coyne, today presented the inaugural NRL Academic Team of the Year members with iPads in a ceremony at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The 17-man team includes players from 12 clubs who between them boast 2,487 first grade games, 63 Test matches and 41 State of Origins and who represent the cross-section of studies and workplace training being undertaken across the NRL.
The team is:
1. William Zillman (Gold Coast Titans): Bachelor of Business (Real Estate and Property Services) at Southern Cross University, working with Wealthfarm financial planners, Certificate II in Sport and Recreation, Certificate III in Fitness, NRL education ambassador.
2. James McManus (Newcastle Knights): Has started Bachelor of Human Movement and is now studying an Advanced Diploma of Property Services ? Valuation, NRL education ambassador, Knights education mentor, representative of 'Ambassadors for Young Australians' program.
3. Jerome Ropati (New Zealand Warriors): Graduate Diploma in Business, Auckland University of Technology, NRL education ambassador, NZ Universities sportsman of the year, now studying human anatomy and physiology in the lead-up to starting Physiotherapy and Sport and Recreation Degree.
4. Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers): Studying Bachelor of Commerce through Open Universities, NRL education ambassador, has started his own sports company, Live Work Play, that conducts sports programs in Western Sydney. He also runs school and community lifestyle programs and is qualified to teach Certificate IV qualifications in fitness.
5. Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters): Completed Certificate III in Carpentry, currently completing Certificate IV in Building and Construction and Diploma of Management, NRL education ambassador. Has also completed short courses in wealth creation, investment strategies and real estate.
6. Preston Campbell (Gold Coast Titans): Certificate III and IV in Youth Work, 2008 Ken Stephen Medal winner, DEEWR Lean Earn Legend! education ambassador, creator of the NRL All Stars concept, NAIDOC Sportsperson of the Year, acting club captain.
7. Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers): Bachelor of Commerce, Sydney University, restaurant owner, NRL education ambassador, founder of 'Mates on a Mission' charity, club captain.
8. Corey Payne (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs): Bachelor of Commerce (accounting and commercial law majors), University of Sydney, studying Masters of Commerce (Finance), Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors management, recipient of 2011 University of Sydney Young Alumni achievement award, Future Direction Network Director, NRL education ambassador.
9. Matt Ballin (Manly Sea Eagles): Studying Bachelor of Education at ACPE, qualified personal trainer and has started his own company MBF (Matt Ballin Fitness), NRL education ambassador.
10. Jason King (Manly Sea Eagles): Studying Bachelor of Business /Law at Macquarie University, NRL education ambassador, club co-captain.
11. Ben Creagh (St George Illawarra Dragons): Studying Bachelor of Commerce at Wollongong University, NRL education ambassador.
12. Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks): Qualified plumber, Certificate IV in Financial Planning, Certificate of Registration in Real Estate, Diploma of Management, former part-owner of Mortgage Choice franchise, club captain.
13. Andrew Ryan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs): Studying Bachelor of Sports Business at ACPE, qualified landscaper and business owner, club captain, NRL education ambassador and newly appointed NRL Education and Welfare Officer.
14. Bryan Norrie (Melbourne Storm): Certificate III in Hospitality, in Fitness and in Sport and Recreation, completing electrician apprenticeship, NRL education ambassador.
15. Ashley Graham (North Queensland Cowboys): Certificate III in Sports Administration, studying Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science at James Cook University, made a member of university's Golden Key Society for being in top 15% of students, NRL and QLD Govt education and physical activity ambassador.
16. Michael Weyman (St George Illawarra Dragons): Diploma in Business, studying Certificate IV in Civil Construction, NRL Education Ambassador.
17. Nick Kenny (Brisbane Broncos): Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Broncos Toyota Cup physio, NRL education ambassador, Certificate IV in Small Business, presently studying occupational health and safety course.
"These players represent what can be achieved both on and off the field and what opportunities are available through rugby league to build careers," said Gallop.
"Each of them will tell you that the studies and training they have pursued has helped make them better footballers and better people and that's an important lesson for any aspiring NRL players to take on board.
"I also want to acknowledge the work of Mark Coyne and his committee, Paul Heptonstall, Nigel Vagana, Jane Lowder and Tony McFadyen and all the club welfare and education officers.
"The programs and opportunities they have developed and the way the players have embraced them has changed the face of the game."
As part of the game's education strategy, the NRL has established an education ambassador programme where player representatives from each club provide mentoring and support for others to engage in education and workplace training.
Chairman of the NRL-RPLA education and welfare committee, former international, Maroons and Dragons star Mark Coyne, said the number of players engaged in further education and workplace training would continue to multiply in the years to come.
"There has been a fundamental shift in the way players prepare for life after footy. Once the players who were studying and working used to be the exceptions, now it is the ones who are not that are in the minority," he said.
"The players, to their credit, have seized the opportunities that rugby league provides and significantly, a number are now working as mentors to ensure other players do the same.
"Through the work of the NRL-RLPA education and welfare committee, the NRL and clubs, the game is investing millions of dollars each year to provide players with the opportunity to build careers outside of football.
"Our mantra is that players will become better men for having played rugby league and the ongoing success of the education and welfare strategy is realising that aim."
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 2011 NRL Telstra Premiership
North Queensland Cowboys
24 games; 12 tries, 0/1 goals, 48 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 11] W 16-14 v Broncos (A). [WG]
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 11] L 22-34 v Knights (H). [WG] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 3 [28 Mar 11] W 34-6 v Storm (H). [WG] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 4 [02 Apr 11] L 20-22 v Eels (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [08 Apr 11] W 22-12 v Titans (H). [WG]
[View] Round 6 [16 Apr 11] W 26-18 v Canberra (H). [WG]
[View] Round 7 [23 Apr 11] W 30-12 v Cronulla (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 8 [30 Apr 11] W 22-20 v Sea Eagles (H). [WG]
[View] Round 9 [08 May 11] L 8-22 v Dragons (A). [WG]
[View] Round 10 [14 May 11] W 40-26 v Eels (H). [WG]
[View] Round 12 [28 May 11] W 20-6 v Roosters (H). [WG]
[View] Round 13 [05 Jun 11] W 40-24 v Canberra (A). [WG]
[View] Round 14 [11 Jun 11] L 4-24 v Sea Eagles (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 15 [18 Jun 11] W 30-10 v Warriors (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 18 [11 Jul 11] W 22-12 v Knights (A). [WG]
[View] Round 19 [16 Jul 11] L 18-38 v Wests Tigers (H). [WG]
[View] Round 20 [23 Jul 11] W 28-20 v Titans (A). [WG] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 11] W 30-18 v Panthers (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 11] L 6-14 v Canterbury (A). [WG]
[View] Round 23 [12 Aug 11] L 16-34 v Broncos (H). [WG]
[View] Round 24 [19 Aug 11] L 24-26 v Rabbitohs (A). [WG]
[View] Round 25 [27 Aug 11] W 28-20 v Cronulla (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 26 [03 Sep 11] L 6-18 v Warriors (A). [WG]
[View] Finals Week 1 [10 Sep 11] L 8-42 v Manly. [WG]
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2010 NRL Telstra Premiership
North Queensland Cowboys
23 games; 9 tries, 6/7 goals, 48 points.
[View] Round 1 [12 Mar 10] L 24-30 v Broncos (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 10] W 28-20 v Panthers (H). [CT]
[View] Round 3 [26 Mar 10] L 8-33 v Dragons (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 4 [03 Apr 10] W 32-18 v Titans (H). [CT]
[View] Round 5 [10 Apr 10] L 16-23 v Tigers (H). [CT]
[View] Round 6 [17 Apr 10] L 18-36 v Knights (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 7 [23 Apr 10] L 18-24 v Eels (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 8 [01 May 10] L 6-34 v Storm (H). [WG] 2 Pts; 1/1g
[View] Round 9 [10 May 10] W 32-14 v Roosters (A). [CT]
[View] Round 10 [15 May 10] L 12-24 v Warriors (A). [CT]
[View] Round 12 [29 May 10] L 20-24 v Sea Eagles (H). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 13 [07 Jun 10] L 4-32 v Rabbitohs (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 14 [12 Jun 10] W 16-8 v Raiders (H). [CT]
[View] Round 16 [26 Jun 10] L 19-20 v Sharks (H). [WG]
[View] Round 18 [12 Jul 10] L 24-36 v Eels (A). [WG]
[View] Round 19 [19 Jul 10] L 16-26 v Tigers (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [24 Jul 10] W 28-24 v Knights (H). [WG]
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 10] L 16-24 v Panthers (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 22 [06 Aug 10] L 26-34 v Broncos (H). [WG] 10 Pts; 5/5g
[View] Round 23 [14 Aug 10] L 18-37 v Titans (A). [WG]
[View] Round 24 [21 Aug 10] L 20-22 v Bulldogs (H). [WG]
[View] Round 25 [28 Aug 10] L 4-48 v Raiders (A). [CT]
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 10] L 8-18 v Roosters (H). [CT]
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2009 NRL Telstra Premiership
North Queensland Cowboys
16 games; 4 tries, 16 points.
[View] Round 2 [21 Mar 09] W 42-14 v Tigers (H). [CT]
[View] Round 4 [06 Apr 09] L 18-23 v Raiders (A). [CT]
[View] Round 5 [11 Apr 09] L 10-14 v Titans (H). [CT]
[View] Round 6 [19 Apr 09] W 34-10 v Sharks (A). [CT]
[View] Round 7 [25 Apr 09] W 26-12 v Sea Eagles (H). [CT]
[View] Round 8 [01 May 09] L 18-28 v Eels (A). [CT]
[View] Round 9 [09 May 09] W 24-20 v Dragons (H). [CT]
[View] Round 10 [17 May 09] W 34-12 v Warriors (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 11 [25 May 09] W 36-10 v Knights (H). [CT]
[View] Round 13 [06 Jun 09] W 46-12 v Rabbitohs (H). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 14 [14 Jun 09] L 18-32 v Dragons (A). [CT]
[View] Round 15 [20 Jun 09] W 24-22 v Roosters (H). [CT]
[View] Round 23 [14 Aug 09] L 12-22 v Bulldogs (H). [CT]
[View] Round 24 [22 Aug 09] L 26-32 v Knights (A). [CT]
[View] Round 25 [28 Aug 09] L 10-16 v Broncos (H). [WG]
[View] Round 26 [06 Sep 09] W 32-16 v Roosters (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
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2008 NRL Telstra Premiership
North Queensland Cowboys
22 games; 10 tries, 0/1 goals, 40 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 08] L 18-36 v Gold Coast (A). [CT]
[View] Round 2 [22 Mar 08] L 10-30 v Tigers (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 4 [05 Apr 08] W 38-14 v Eels (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [12 Apr 08] W 20-16 v Dragons (A). [FB]
[View] Round 6 [19 Apr 08] W 48-20 v Warriors (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 7 [26 Apr 08] L 10-12 v Storm (H). [CT]
[View] Round 8 [04 May 08] L 24-28 v Rabbitohs (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (4)
[View] Round 9 [10 May 08] L 18-24 v Sharks (H). [FB]
[View] Round 10 [17 May 08] L 6-38 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB]
[View] Round 12 [31 May 08] L 18-19 v Panthers (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 13 [07 Jun 08] L 16-40 v Tigers (A). [FB]
[View] Round 14 [16 Jun 08] L 18-30 v Knights (H). [CT]
[View] Round 15 [21 Jun 08] L 20-48 v Storm (A). [CT]
[View] Round 16 [28 Jun 08] L 28-29 v Rabbitohs (H). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 18 [12 Jul 08] L 14-24 v Warriors (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 19 [18 Jul 08] L 18-32 v Broncos (H). [CT]
[View] Round 21 [02 Aug 08] L 20-32 v Roosters (H). [FB]
[View] Round 22 [09 Aug 08] W 36-12 v Bulldogs (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [16 Aug 08] L 20-26 v Gold Coast (H). [FB]
[View] Round 24 [23 Aug 08] L 24-38 v Knights (A). [FB]
[View] Round 25 [30 Aug 08] W 22-10 v Raiders (H). [WG]
[View] Round 26 [06 Sep 08] L 22-28 v Sharks (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
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2007 NRL Telstra Premiership
North Queensland Cowboys
21 games; 18 tries, 12/18 goals, 96 points.
[View] Round 1 [16 Mar 07] W 23-16 v Broncos (A). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (7th, 40th)
[View] Round 2 [24 Mar 07] W 43-6 v Roosters (H). [CT] 2 Pts; 1/1g
[View] Round 3 [31 Mar 07] W 22-18 v Dragons (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (10th)
[View] Round 4 [07 Apr 07] W 25-24 v Tigers (H). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (37th, 65th)
[View] Round 5 [15 Apr 07] L 14-34 v Warriors (A). [CT]
[View] Round 6 [23 Apr 07] L 6-10 v Rabbitohs (H). [CT]
[View] Round 10 [19 May 07] L 14-44 v Eels (A). [F8] 6 Pts; 1t, 1/3g
[View] Round 13 [09 Jun 07] L 30-64 v Roosters (A). [CT] 10 Pts; 5/5g
[View] Round 14 [16 Jun 07] L 12-58 v Storm (H). [CT]
[View] Round 15 [23 Jun 07] W 28-24 v Raiders (A). [CT]
[View] Round 17 [07 Jul 07] W 18-12 v Warriors (H). [WG] 6 Pts; 1t, 1/1g
[View] Round 18 [13 Jul 07] L 16-24 v Broncos (H). [WG] 12 Pts; 2t, 2/3g
[View] Round 19 [22 Jul 07] L 14-20 v Rabbitohs (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [30 Jul 07] L 10-54 v Tigers (A). [CT]
[View] Round 21 [04 Aug 07] W 28-22 v Raiders (H). [CT] 12 Pts; 2t, 2/5g
[View] Round 22 [13 Aug 07] W 30-26 v Panthers (A). [CT] 12 Pts; 3t
[View] Round 23 [18 Aug 07] W 24-14 v Dragons (H). [CT]
[View] Round 24 [24 Aug 07] W 34-18 v Knights (A). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 25 [31 Aug 07] W 38-32 v Bulldogs (H). [CT]
[View] Finals Week 2 [16 Sep 07] W 49-12 v Warriors (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Finals Week 3 [22 Sep 07] L 6-28 v Sea Eagles. [CT]
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2006 Queensland Cup
North Qld Young Guns
3 tries, 12 points.
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2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
North Queensland Cowboys
14 games; 3 tries, 6/9 goals, 24 points.
[View] Round 7 [22 Apr 06] L 22-24 v Sharks (A). [CT]
[View] Round 9 [06 May 06] W 22-6 v Panthers (H). [CT]
[View] Round 10 [13 May 06] L 6-18 v Storm (A). [CT]
[View] Round 12 [27 May 06] L 14-15 v Raiders (H). [CT]
[View] Round 15 [18 Jun 06] L 12-20 v Bulldogs (A). [SR]
[View] Round 17 [01 Jul 06] W 16-14 v Rabbitohs (H). [WG]
[View] Round 19 [15 Jul 06] L 8-17 v Panthers (A). [WG]
[View] Round 20 [22 Jul 06] W 26-10 v Broncos (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 06] L 20-40 v Roosters (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 06] L 14-54 v Bulldogs (H). [CT] 6 Pts; 1t (60th), 1/2g
[View] Round 23 [12 Aug 06] L 0-26 v Warriors (A). [CT]
[View] Round 24 [19 Aug 06] L 12-19 v Knights (H). [CT]
[View] Round 25 [27 Aug 06] W 34-12 v Rabbitohs (A). [CT] 10 Pts; 5/7g
[View] Round 26 [01 Sep 06] W 22-8 v Eels (H). [CT]
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2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Parramatta Eels
2 games; [View] Round 2 [18 Mar 06] W 22-14 v Warriors (H). [CT]
[View] Round 3 [26 Mar 06] L 10-30 v Broncos (A). [CT]
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2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Parramatta Eels
3 games; 3 tries, 12 points.
[View] Round 4 [01 Apr 05] W 26-16 v Panthers (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (6th)
[View] Round 5 [10 Apr 05] L 14-54 v Broncos (A). [CT]
[View] Round 17 [03 Jul 05] W 52-16 v Souths (H). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (7th, 52nd)
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2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Parramatta Eels
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Graham, Ashley
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