2018 Annual Player Awards
5th October 2018
George Piggins FG Player Of The Year - Damien Cook
Capping off a stellar season, Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook has become the 17th recipient of the George Piggins Medal at the 2018 Red and Green Ball. After taking out the Dally M Hooker of the Year and the Provan-Summons People's Choice Award at the Dally M Awards, Cook has now been crowned South Sydney's best and fairest player of 2018. It marks Cook's third award of the night, as he was also the recipient of The Burrow Appreciation Award (NRL) and the Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award, also becoming the second hooker to take out the award after Issac Luke in 2010. In his 25 appearances for the Rabbitohs in 2018, Cook scored four scintillating tries, recording seven try assists, nine line break assists, nine line breaks while averaging 104 running metres per game and making over 1000 tackles for the season. Cook's form also earned him a spot in the NSW State of Origin team, where he played all three matches and played a huge role in the side's successful campaign. He will continue his representative honours with the Australian Kangaroos later this month in what has been an impressive year for the 27-year-old. The Best and Fairest award is named after Rabbitohs Club legend George Piggins, who was a premiership-winning and international player, coach and official over a 40-year period. He was also one of the leading figures in the Club's fight for reinstatement to the National Rugby League in the early 2000s. Head Coach Anthony Seibold presented Cook with the award. Congratulations Damien on winning your third George Piggins Medal!
Jack Rayner Players Player Of The Year - Sam Burgess
Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess has collected his fifth Jack Rayner Players' Player award at the 2018 Red and Green Ball. Having been judged by his teammates as the best player of the year, Burgess was presented the award by General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson. In another season filled with inspirational performances, Burgess once again affirmed himself as the cornerstone of the South Sydney forward pack, averaging over 147 metres per game in attack and over 32 tackles per game in defence in his 23 appearances. He also captained the side on eight occasions throughout the season in the absence of Greg Inglis. Capping off a strong season in Red and Green, Burgess also committed to the Club by re-signing until the end of the 2023 season, which will make him a South Sydney player for life. "I used to say before every game that we're more than a team. We're South Sydney. And that's more than evident" Burgess said. The award is named after Club legend Jack Rayner, who captain-coached the Club to five premierships in the 1950s, whose leadership and values are still upheld with 'The Rabbitoh Way'. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Sam on his award, the first player to be awarded this honour by his peers on five occasions.
John Sattler Rookie Of The Year - Adam Doueihi
Rabbitohs utility Adam Doueihi has been awarded the 2018 John Sattler Rookie of the Year at the Red and Green Ball. Arriving at the Club in 2017, Doueihi impressed in his stints in the NYC and ISP sides, making his international debut for Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the year. In 2018 he made his first grade debut in round two against the Penrith Panthers, replacing halfback Adam Reynolds, going on to lead the side to back-to-back victories against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the following two weeks in the number seven jersey. The 20-year-old proved his worth as a versatile squad member, playing fullback, centre, in the halves, at hooker and filling in off the bench throughout the season. Eventually, he would go on to make 15 appearances for the Cardinal and Myrtle, scoring two tries and kicking nine goals in a memorable debut year. The Rookie of the Year Award is named after South Sydney legend John Sattler who famously led the Rabbitohs into battle in the 1960's and '70's. He had his jaw broken in the opening minutes of the 1970 Grand Final, going on to play the rest of match in a performance that has been written into Rugby League folklore. Doueihi was presented with the award by Souths Juniors President Keith McCraw, becoming the 17th recipient of the award. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Adam on be named the John Sattler Rookie of the Year for 2018.
Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award - Damien Cook
Damien Cook has picked up his second award at the 2018 Red and Green Ball, being presented with the Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award. In a season to remember, Cook has become an 80-minute hooker for the Rabbitohs while also making his representative debut at State level earlier this year for New South Wales, and International level later in the year for Australia in test matches against both Tonga and New Zealand. Cook finished the year with 25 appearances in Red and Green, scoring four tries, recording seven try assists, nine line break assists, nine line breaks, averaging 104 running metres per game and making over 1000 tackles. With plenty of match-winning performances over 2018, Cook has not only become a dangerous player on the field for the Rabbitohs but has become a fan favourite off the field. The Members' Choice Award is named after former Rabbitohs, Samoa and New Zealand captain Roy Asotasi, who played an integral part in the Rabbitohs' on- and off-field turnarounds over the past 11 years. The Award was named in his honour in 2013. Formerly this award was the Supporters' Choice Award but was changed to the Members' Choice Award in 2008 to reflect the importance of Members to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Rabbitohs Chairman Nicholas Pappas was on hand to present Cook with the Members' Choice Award. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Damien on his accolade.
Burrow Appreciation Award - Damien Cook
Members of Rabbitohs supporter group, The Burrow, have voted for hooker Damien Cook as the recipient of The Burrow Appreciation Award which was presented at tonight's (Friday's) 2018 Red and Green Ball. In a season to remember, Cook set the competition alight with his explosive running from dummy-half, making 25 appearances for the Cardinal and Myrtle, scoring four scintillating tries, recording seven try assists, nine line break assists, nine line breaks, averaging 104 running metres per game and making over 1000 tackles. Cook also made his representative debut in 2018, featuring in all three State of Origin games for New South Wales while playing a major role in the Blues' triumph. He will also make his international debut when he dons the green and gold for Australia against Tonga and New Zealand later this month. The Burrow Appreciation Award (NRL), presented by Bridgetta Mitton, also follows his Dally M Hooker of the Year and Provan-Summons Medal People's Choice Award from this year's Dally M awards. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Damien on his award, following in the footsteps of current team mates Angus Crichton, Kyle Turner, Jason Clark, Sam Burgess and Adam Reynolds.
Bob McCarthy Clubman of The Year - John Sutton
Rabbitohs backrower and Club legend John Sutton has been awarded the Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year award at the 2018 Red and Green Ball. Season 2018 was one of Sutton's best in his 15-year career, playing in all 27 matches, scoring four tries, making seven line breaks, providing four line break assists while also producing 23 offloads and averaging over 117 metres per game. His biggest moment, however, was in Round 19 when he became the first ever South Sydney Rabbitohs player to record 300 first grade games. Fittingly, the 33-year-old was presented with a mural at Kensington Oval, his junior home ground, to celebrate the great achievement, etching his name into Club folklore. Surprisingly, this is the first time he has been presented with the award, having collected three George Piggins Medals and a Roy Asotasi Member's Choice Award, however, Sutton reflects the values of the Club and is a leader amongst not only the playing group but the entire Club itself. Sutton was appropriately presented the award by premiership-winning Club legend Bob McCarthy, a man who is synonymous with the South Sydney Club. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate John on his award.
Womens - Player of the Year - Maddie Studden
Rabbitohs Women's halfback Maddie Studdon has been awarded the inaugural Women's Player of the Year Award at the 2018 Red and Green Ball. Studdon opened her 2018 Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership account in the Rabbitohs' round one demolition of Newcastle CRL, converting nine goals in the 54-4 win. She then went on to kick 56 goals and score two tries in 14 games, for a personal tally of 120 points in the team's journey to the Grand Final. The Mascot Junior's leadership was also on show as she captained the NSW Women's State of Origin side to victory in the inaugural Harvey Norman Women's State of Origin, and co-captained the NSW City side which made the Grand Final in the Harvey Norman Women's Championships. Coach Danny Allende presented Maddie with her award. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Maddie for being awarded the first Rabbitohs Women's Player of the Year Award.
Womens - Players Player of The Year - Chloe Caldwell and Taleena Simon
The inaugural South Sydney Rabbitohs Women's Players' Player Award has been won by both Chloe Caldwell and Taleena Simon at the 2018 Red and Green Ball. Forward Chloe Caldwell was a mainstay in the Rabbitohs' forward pack this season in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership, playing 14 games and inspiring her teammates with her powerful running and strong defensive technique. Winger Taleena Simon proved to be scintillating on the edges, scoring a phenomenal 25 tries in just 13 matches, finishing as the competition's top try-scorer. Simon also earned a spot in the inaugural NSW Women's State of Origin side, which defeated Queensland 16-10. Both women also featured in the Harvey Norman Women's Championships, representing NSW City and also played in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership Grand Final. Coach Dally Allende presented both players with the awards. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Chloe and Taleena on being crowned the first winners of the Rabbitohs Women's Players' Player Awards.
Womens - Burrow Appreciation Award - Chloe Caldwell and Grace Uluiburotu
Both Chloe Caldwell and Grace Uluiburotu have been awarded The Burrow Appreciation Award (Womens) at the 2018 Red and Green Ball. Chloe Caldwell collects her second award of the night after being awarded joint winner of the Rabbitohs Women's Players' Player Award, having gone on to play 14 games throughout the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership season in the side that went all the way to the Grand Final. Grace Uluiburotu was damaging on the field throughout 2018 in her 12 matches, but was equally enthusiastic off the field, forging strong relationships with members of The Burrow, including young Dylan Brunner, making her a fan-favourite. Both women made representative appearances for the Women's NSW City squad in the Harvey Norman Women's National Championship in June. The award was presented to both players by dedicated Member and Rabbitohs Women's Team Operations Assistant, Michelle Cini on behalf of Rabbitohs support group, The Burrow. The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate both Chloe and Grace on their awards.
Bears NSW ISP(RG) - Player of The Year - Billy Brittian & Villami Kaveinga
The North Sydney Bears have named their award winners tonight (Tuesday Aug 21). The North Sydney Bears finished up on the ladder in 9th place after they were knocked out in the final match of the 2018 eason. Billy Brittian and Villami Kaveinga wee named Bears ISP Player of Year for his fine contribution during the year.
The North Sydney Bears’ 2018 other Lower Grade Feeder Award Winners are: