NRL awards season in full swing as players and partners dazzle at end of year presentations
The Dragons, Eels and Titans all celebrated their seasons on Tuesday night.
NRL awards season has officially begun, and the Dragons, Eels and Titans all marked the end of their years on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs held their presentation night on Monday, with Josh Addo-Carr advised to stay away after he allegedly returned a positive roadside cocaine test.
And on Tuesday night it was St George Illawarra, Parramatta and the Gold Coast to hold theirs. Any lingering hope that Dragons fans had of Zac Lomax backflipping on his decision to sign with the Eels was extinguished, with the club confirming his departure and wishing him well.
The Dragons confirmed the exits of Lomax, Jack Bird, Max Feagai, Savelio Tamale, Jesse Marschke and Dan Russell. Lomax was voted the Red V members' player of the year after an outstanding season on the wing that saw him become a State of Origin star for NSW. Jayd'n Sua won the Red V Medal as Dragons player of the year after he also enjoyed a brilliant campaign.
Another departing player won the Eels' player of the year gong as Reagan Campbell-Gillard took the Ken Thornett Medal. The former representative prop has been linked to a move to the Broncos in 2025 after the Dragons cooled on their interest.
Clint Gutherson scooped the Eels' players' player award, the fan voted award and the Jack Gibson coach's award, while Blaize Talagi was adjudged Parramatta's rookie of the year. Talagi is also leaving the Eels to join Penrith in 2025 after his breakout campaign in 2025.
On the Gold Coast, boom fullback Keano Kini won the Titans' player of the year award, while Jamie Chapman won the women's top gong. Kini was a shining light in a disappointing year for the Titans, while Chapman added her award to the one she won as NSW women's player of the year. Brian Kelly was voted the Titans' players' player, while Josiah Pahulu won rookie of the year.
Keano Kini on cusp of New Zealand Test debut
Kini was the Titans' third-choice fullback at the start of 2024 behind AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell, but he forced his way in on the back of some scintillating play. Campbell was shifted to five-eighth to make room for Kini, while Brimson spent the majority of an injury-plagued year in the centres.
RELATED:
NRL responds amid backlash over 'mind-boggling' move for finals
Former Broncos teammate reveals Reece Walsh gesture for daughter
And the 20-year-old Kini is now on the cusp of making his Test debut for New Zealand in the Pacific Championships at the end of the year. Titans captain and Kiwis veteran Kieran Foran has been vocal behind the scenes for Kini to play in the post-season Tests, and coach Stacey Jones will find it hard to leave him out of the squad.
"It would mean everything. I am still waiting and hoping (to be included)," Kini said on Tuesday night. "My dad and my family are all proud Kiwis. It is a dream of mine to pull on a Kiwi jersey. (Jones) is one of my dad's all-time players and a legend of the game. It would be an honour to play under Stacey."
He said of winning the Paul Broughton Medal: "To win this medal is something I never would have expected at the start of the year and I am extremely grateful. This really gives me a confidence boost going into next year.
"AJ and JC (Campbell) have helped me a lot but I have still got a lot of work to do. AJ is going to come back firing and fit next year. My dad keeps reminding me that it is never your jersey. You have to earn it."
with AAP
