Player of the Year

I can't differentiate between Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans. Both have had amazing seasons and have been instrumental to their teams success. Inglis has shone not only as an attacking force but also as a defensive beast, mauling anyone who comes throught the Bunnies defensive line. His maturity and leadership has been fantastic, he is the Rabbitohs. DCE has gone to another level this season, displaying a wide range of skills, a wise footy head and an attitude that is what all fans love to see. It is no slight on Kieran Foran that his halves partner has made the cut and he hasn’t, DCE is just that good.

Notables – Jonthan Thurston, Todd Carney, Corey Parker

Team of the Year

The Roosters have been the front runners all season. They have come together as a group exceptionally, forming a bond off the field which has been reflected in their on field performances. They are the definition of a team with class and quality through, a mix of youngsters, NRL superstars and veterans holding down the fort. There has been a total buy in of Trent Robinson’s philosophies which has resulted in the Roosters being the best attacking and defensive teams in the league. The most obvious factor that makes them the team of the year is that when you try to pick a player of the year for the Roosters, it’s bloody hard. SBW has been fantastic all season, but so has Jared Waera-Hargreaves, Sam Moa, Michael Jennings, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Anthony Minichello, Mitchell Aubusson .. you get the point, the list goes on and on. Congrats to everyone involved with the Roosters.

Notables – Rabbitohs, Manly

Rookie of the Year

This award goes to someone who has looked at home at NRL level. Someone who has made an impact and will has a long future ahead of them, George Burgess. The ease at which Burgess has handled the NRL makes him the winner here. I imagine that there’s not too many players who would be able to stop him one on one near the try line. He’s big, aggressive and as fitted in perfect to the Rabbitohs system.

Notables – Peta Hiku, Dylan Walker, Ngani Laumape

Coach of the Year

Coach of the year has to go to Trent Robinson. Robinson was a part of the Roosters coaching set up a couple of years ago before going to Catalans so he was familiar with many of the players and was an important part of their success a couple of years ago. Frank Paul Nuuasala even credited him for keeping him at the Roosters when a move to the Broncos was all but a done deal. Robinson has brought together a bunch of stars and instilled a defensive system which could win them a premiership. Not bad for his first year.

Notables – Geoff Toovey, Neil Henry, Michael Maguire

Defender of the Year

This award would usually go to someone who defends in the middle, your typical 13. This year we have been exposed to the greatness of Greg Inglis, especially his defence. Obviously his size makes tackle anyone who breaks the Rabbitohs line pretty easy, but attitude and footy smarts are also essential elements. If you’ve seen Channel 9’s coverage of any Rabbitohs game, you’ll see just how much ground Inglis can cover. This is important as there are many other fullbacks who CAN cover ground like him, but the willingness to do so is another thing. He is always willing to go that little bit further and lead by example. Respect dawwg.

Notables – Jake Friend, Simon Mannering

Super-sub of the Year

Richie Fa’aoso had to battle injury and suspension throughout the season but every time he came off the bench, he made an impact. At the start of the season, you could have made the argument that Manly were a bit under sized and would lack any real punch (look at the Rabbioths and Roosters for example), but Fa’aoso gave them this and more. While not a hulking monster, Fa’aoso’s lack of regard for his safety ensured that he would launch in to his opposition and would always make a gain. Fa’aoso’s signature would be picking up a short ball and running straight back in to the ruck area, making the markers go back to back. Imagine getting up from a tackle, setting yourself at marker and then you see Richie Fa’aoso coming straight at you! Umm not for me thanks.

Notables - Suaia Matagi Luke Keary

Try of the Year

David Williams’ effort on Friday night takes the cake. Had Williams just received a simple pace and then finished like he did, I would have given it to David Nofualuma. But if you pay attention to what DCE does in the lead up, it makes it that much better. DCE runs at the defence, wrong footing *** and getting on the outside of him creating an overlap for Williams to work his magic. In Nofualuma’s case, Benji Marshall just put a kick up and Nofualuma went to work. Harsh I know, but on the whole the David Williams try was better.

Beast of the Year

Impossible to go past SBW. When you compare his size now to when he was at the Bulldogs, he looks like a little kid back then. The man is huge and is the definition of a beast. I mean beast in rather broad terms as well. He can run like a winger, pass like a half and is the best off loader since Ali Lauititi. No one quite compares to SBW, no matter how hard they all try and is an absolute freak.

Notables – Andrew Fifita, Sam Burgess, Konrad Hurrell

Battlers of the Year

The entire Dragons squad gets the nod here. At the start of the year, natural talent was a rare thing at the Dragons but they kept at it and eventually found themselves teaching the Warriors a lesson in the final game of the year. Their perseverance ensured that fans were left with a yummy taste in their mouths as fresh young talent was given a chance. Onwards and Upwards!

Kiwi Player of the Year

Kieran Foran has been consistently good all season. For me he epitomises how all Kiwi players should play. They need to have another string to their bow and his is his physicality. If you’re a half who loves to smash blokes and run in to a hungry bunch of forwards, you’ve already got an advantage over every other half. When you think that Foran’s physical play doesn’t take away from his other duties as a half – creating opportunities for others and showing a wide range of skills in both his passing and kicking games. The bloke has it all and is turning in to a very complete footballer. Each week he gets better at being a leader as well which will be awesome for the Kiwis to have such a player in their halves.

Notables - Simon Mannering, Thomas Leuluai,

Pensioner of the Year

The Pensioner of the year award goes to the veteran who has had the biggest impact on his team’s performance. Despite looking like a pensioner, Corey Parker is not eligible. The winner here is Danny Buderus who has done admirably for the Knights despite missing a couple of games with injury. While all players are playing with some sort of niggle, Buderus would have been constantly under an injury cloud but still managed to find his way on to the field. He can now enjoy his time on the beaches of Newcastle.

Notables – Dallas Johnson, Anthony Minichiello

Reg Reagan Memorial Award for Bringing Back the Biff

Trent Merrin gets the nod here, because despite it being Paul Gallen and Nate Myles who brought the biff back into the limelight with their Origin 1 scuffle, it was Merrin who so blatantly flaunted it with his brilliantly needless hit on Brent Tate in Origin 2. The NRL put a clear ban on all biffo, but Merrin broke it at the first opportunity. A true humanitarian. Reg would be proud.

Notables – Paul Gallen, Nate Myles