2015 Annual Player Awards
10th October 2015
George Piggins FG Player Of The Year - Greg Inglis
Rabbitohs Captain, Greg Inglis, has taken the Club’s top prize for the second time in his career, after being named George Piggins Medallist onstage by Michael Maguire, Bob McCarthy and Ron Coote, as the Club’s Best and Fairest player at tonight’s Red and Green Ball. The award is the second of the night for Inglis, who earlier picked up the Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award - also for the second time in his career. Season 2015 marked Inglis’ first year as full-time Captain after widely being considered a leader within the Club throughout his tenure. After playing his role for the Indigenous All Stars in February, Inglis started his time as Rabbitohs skipper in the best possible fashion, by leading the Club to its first ever World Club Championship victory in what was a record 39-0 score-line against St Helens at Langtree Park in the UK. Inglis would go on to appear in 20 matches for the red and greens in 2015, while also playing an integral role in Queensland recapturing the State of Origin trophy – Inglis scoring vital four-pointers for the Maroons in their quest for glory. For the Rabbitohs Inglis scored eight tries while running for a total of 2910 metres with the ball in hand. But his ability to set up four-pointers was equally impressive, topping the team in terms of try-assists with 13 – four more than anyone else in the side. Chief among his assists came in Round 2, when Inglis set up an incredible 110 metre try for Alex Johnston by working his way out of an impossible position in his own in-goal before passing on to the Souths Junior to streak away and score. Standing 195cm tall and weighing 105kg, Inglis would hardly look out of place in the Rabbitohs forward-pack were it not for his freakish agility and turn of pace. As a result, GI also led the way in terms of tackle breaks for the Club during the regular season with 73, while also breaking the line on 12 occasions. The Best and Fairest award at the Rabbitohs is named after Club legend, George Piggins. Piggins was not only a premiership-winning and international player, he was also a celebrated coach and official with the Club over a 40-year period. He was also one of the leading figures in the Club’s fight for re-instatement to the elite Rugby League competition in the early 2000s. Congratulations to Greg on claiming the second George Piggins Medal of his career.
Jack Rayner Players Player Of The Year - Greg Inglis
Rabbitohs fullback and Captain, Greg Inglis, has been judged by his fellow teammates as the best player of season 2015, taking out the 2015 Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award for the second time in his career at tonight’s Red & Green Ball. Inglis previously picked up the award for season 2012, backing up the effort this year with his performances on the field. In his 20 appearances for the Club during his first season as full-time Captain, Inglis established himself as one of the team’s true leaders while also producing some memorable moments in the process. Inglis ran for a total of 2910 metres from the back, on his way to scoring eight tries, while monstering opposition defenders with 73 tackle breaks and also breaking the line on 12 occasions. The Players’ Player award is named after legendary Rabbitohs player and coach, Jack Rayner. Rayner won five Premierships with South Sydney in six seasons in the Club’s golden era between 1950 and 1955, as both Captain and Captain/Coach. His legacy at the Rabbitohs lives on to this day, remembered as an honest, tough, hard working forward during the days when some of the most brutal Rugby League was played. Inglis was presented the award by Paul Dunbavin and Brett Chaloner from the 2nd Commando Regiment on behalf of the Rayner family. Congratulations to Greg on claiming the second Jack Rayner Player’ Player Award of his career.
Bob McCarthy Clubman Of The Year - Ben Lowe
Long-serving Rabbitohs forward, Ben Lowe, has been awarded the 2015 Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year award for his efforts both on and off the field throughout 2015. Lowe, who announced his retirement from Rugby League in the latter-stages of the 2015 season, finishes his career a one-Club man, having been an integral and much-loved part of the Club since making his first grade debut in 2008. The Clubman of the Year award is named after one of the Rabbitohs greatest players of all time, Bob McCarthy. McCarthy was part of the Rabbitohs’ golden era in the 1960s and early 1970s, playing 211 first grade games in the cardinal and myrtle. He is a multiple Premiership-winning legend of the Club. An emotional Ben was presented with the Clubman of the Year award by none other than the man after whom the award is named, Bob McCarthy. Congratulations to Ben on winning the 2015 Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year award.
John Sattler Rookie Of The Year - Chris Grevsmuhl
Rabbitohs forward, Chris Grevsmuhl, has been judged as the best first-year player at South Sydney in 2015, taking out the John Sattler Rookie of the Year award for his debut season. A hard-running utility forward, Grevsmuhl set the tone for his maiden year in the top grade during the 2015 pre-season, where he not only scored crucial tries in the Auckland Nines, but also in the Charity Shield. His performances earned him Indigenous All Stars selection where he also scored a four-pointer before going on to be a part of the Club’s record 39-0 World Club Championship triumph against St Helens at Langtree Park – all before making his first grade debut. Grevsmuhl would go on to appear in 22 matches for the Rabbitohs in 2015, amassing 1878 metres on his way to scoring six tries, while also making 397 tackles. The Rookie of the Year award is named after one of South Sydney’s most inspirational players of all time, in the form of the legendary John Sattler. Sattler captained the Rabbitohs to four Premiership victories in five years from 1967 to 1971, including the famous 1970 Grand Final in which he played for 77 minutes of the game with a jaw broken in three places. Chris was presented with the John Sattler Rookie of the Year award by the President of South Sydney Juniors, Keith McCraw, on behalf of John Sattler. Congratulations to Chris on winning the 2015 John Sattler Rookie of the Year award.
Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award - Bryson Goodwin
Rabbitohs outside-back, Bryson Goodwin, has been voted by the Members as the 2015 Roy Asotasi Members’ Choice Award Player of the Year at tonight’s Red & Green Ball. Members regarded Goodwin as having been South Sydney’s best throughout the 2015 season in an online poll that ran until late September. Players who played 10 or more first grade games throughout the regular NRL season were eligible for the award. Goodwin appeared in all 25 Rabbitohs matches in season 2015, amassing a total of 2554 metres with the ball in hand on his way to scoring six tries. The Kiwi representative also made 308 tackles, seven line-breaks and 11 offloads. Roy Asotasi was an integral member of the Rabbitohs playing group and the Club, both as a Captain and as a damaging front-row forward after arriving at Redfern in 2007. Regarded by many as one of the first marquee signings of the Rabbitohs new era, Asotasi brought with him a wealth of experience as a leader, a seasoned campaigner and a Premiership winner, helping to create an exciting culture at the Rabbitohs built on his own unique brand of hard work, coupled with an unrivalled level of professionalism. Bryson was presented with the Members’ Choice Award by Club CEO, Mr John Lee.
Burrow Appreciation Award - Jason Clark
Rabbitohs supporter group, The Burrow, have recognised the efforts of South Sydney forward Jason Clark by awarding him with The Burrow Appreciation Award for 2015 at tonight’s Red and Green Ball. A proud Souths Junior from the Coogee-Randwick Wombats club, Clark appeared in 18 games for Souths in 2015, contributing 1299 metres with the ball in hand in his capacity as a reliable utility forward. The award was presented to Jason by Wayne Dolling from The Burrow. Congratulations to Jason on winning The Burrow Appreciation Award for 2015.
Toohey News Fan Player of The Year - Alex Johnston
Rabbitohs winger, Alex Johnston, has been judged by Members and supporters as the 2015 Tooheys New Fan Player of the Year. For the second year running, Souths Junior and winger, Johnston, was the Club's top try-scorer with 17 tries to his name, including one that will no doubt be remembered as one of the tries of the year. Playing against the Roosters in Round 2, the brilliance of Greg Inglis combined with Johnston’s incredible speed to deliver a scintillating 110 metre effort in front of a Sunday afternoon football crowd of nearly 30,000. Johnston’s 68 points for season 2015 was only bested by the goal-kicking genius that is Adam Reynolds, with Reynolds top-scoring for the side with 111 points. But it wasn’t just points that Johnston would contribute to the Rabbitohs season. The La Perouse product would prove an effective deputy at fullback when required, providing safety under the high ball as well as unpredictability in his kick-returns. In total, Johnston appeared in 25 matches, racking up a total of 2448 metres off 247 runs, while breaking the defensive line on 21 occasions and offloading 13 times. The Tooheys New Fan Player of the Year is the culmination of a season-long online voting process that allows Members and supporters to vote for their Tooheys New Player of the Month. Alex was presented the award by Rabbitohs Chairman, Nick Pappas. Congratulations to Alex on being named the 2015 Tooheys New Fan Player of the Year.
NYC Cup - Best and Fairest - Clayton Williams
Rabbitohs Holden Cup forward Clayton Williams has made it an NYC double, by winning the Clubs’ NYC Best and Fairest Award in addition to claiming the Players’ Player Award for 2015. Williams played in 22 Holden Cup matches this season, predominantly at prop, scoring two tries in the process. Williams made 307 runs for a grand total of 3000 metres, while also making a whopping 754 tackles – some 150 more than the second nearest Rabbitoh – topping the team in both instances. Clayton was presented with his Best & Fairest award by 2015 Holden Cup Coach, Troy Finch. Congratulations to Clayton on winning both NYC awards for season 2015.
NYC Cup - Players Player of The Year - Clayton Williams
Rabbitohs Holden Cup player, Clayton Williams, has been voted by his teammates as the Players’ Player for the under 20s side in 2015.
Bears NSW Cup - Player of The Year - Cody Walker
Rabbitohs players have swept the North Sydney Bears’ 2015 awards by winning six of eight gongs on offer – Cody Walker picking up two awards including the Club’s Best and Fairest and Players’ Player awards. Walker enjoyed a break-out first season under Coach, Ben Gardiner, at Norths alongside halves partner and Captain Darren Nicholls – who was awarded the Best Back award. The halves combination of Walker and Nicholls helped to orchestrate a number of North Sydney wins after a slow start to season 2015 that had the red and black’s languishing at the bottom of the NSW Cup ladder. But with renewed enthusiasm, coupled with some stand-out performances across the park, the Bears fought back strongly to book their place in the competition’s Finals Series in what was a true show of character, grit and belief by the side. While Walker and Nicholls picked up awards in the backs, Jack Gosiewski was rewarded for his solid 2015 season by being named Best Forward. Gosiewski was an integral part of North Sydney’s run to the Finals. Meanwhile, Ed Murphy also picked up the Most Improved player award on the night, while Tulsa Saumamao was rewarded for his value as a utility. For Head Coach Gardiner, seeing the side’s young contingent come into their own was a highlight as he gave his review to Rabbitohs.com.au. “What was really pleasing was having a couple of young fellas in Jack Gosiewski and Tulsa Saumamao who came up and won awards,” said Gardiner. “These guys came up through the 20s and just really proved to be consistent and hungry throughout the season and they deserved to be rewarded for that. “Then you had guys like our Captain, Darren Nicholls and then Cody Walker – who just had an outstanding season and I would rate among the top-two or three players in the competition for the year. “Cody took out the top award and he was thoroughly deserving of it for the quality that he showed throughout the year.” The Bears finished in eighth position on the NSW Cup ladder on 26 competition points and nine wins – a result that seemed distant during the early stages of the 2015 season. The side was ultimately knocked out of the Finals Series in Week 1 despite a courageous showing against the Bulldogs. “It was pleasing to get the Club back into a good position again and to now be considered among one of the better Clubs in the NSW Cup,” said a proud Gardiner. “It certainly was disappointing to make the eight only to go out the way we did, but I think we’ve laid a good platform this year for where we want to be next season. We took some giant steps forward this year and that work continues now.” Congratulations to all the award recipients of the North Sydney Bears for their 2015 efforts. The North Sydney Bears’ 2015 NSW Cup Award Winners are: