Blues rewarded for season-long club form
A host of 2019 Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues representatives have reaped the rewards for their stellar seasons at after receiving top honours at their respective club's Player of the Year award ceremonies.
James Tedesco
After completing a memorable year that included the Dally M and Wally Lewis Medals, and match-winning tries in his second consecutive State of Origin and NRL Grand Final victories, it was no surprise when James Tedesco was awarded the Jack Gibson Medal as the Sydney Roosters’ Player of the Year.
His 2019 success earned him the prestigious award for the second time in as many years at the tricolours, in a season that included 18 tries (3rd), 23 line-breaks (1st), 166 tackle-breaks (1st) and 4920 run metres (1st).
He was crowned the 2019 Players' Champion as voted by his NRL peers, and is now preparing to represent the Australian Kangaroos in the upcoming Tests against New Zealand and Tonga with the Golden Boot in sight if his incredible form is to continue into the international arena.
Damien Cook
The South Sydney and Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues No. 9, was another standout player in 2019 who won a consecutive club Player of the Year award, the George Piggins Medal.
Cook played a crucial role in the Rabbitohs’ 10-1 record to begin 2019 and in their late-season surge to the finals. His enormous involvement for the Rabbitohs proved extremely consistent throughout the year with 18 try assists (4th), 19 line-break assists (2nd), 1173 tackles (2nd), 211 dummy-half runs (1st) and 151 line engagements (3rd).
Dale Finucane
The Storm secured a fourth minor premiership after finishing the regular season three wins clear, and it was Player of the Year Dale Finucane who led a dominant forward pack that was the key to Melbourne’s success. Playing alongside the likes of Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Felise Kaufusi, the 2019 NSW debutant stood out among Craig Bellamy’s men in a career-best season.
Finucane recorded 34 tackle-breaks and averaged 11.6 hit-ups, 129.2 run metres, 46 post-contact metres and 31 tackles from 26 games in 2019.
Jake Trbojevic
Edging out Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans for the Sea Eagles’ highest honour, Jake Trbojevic received his third Roy Bull ‘Best and Fairest’ Award after another outstanding year for the club.
From 25 NRL appearances in 2019, the Mona Vale junior averaged 122.3 run metres and built on his reputation as one of the game’s best defenders, making 1069 tackles (4th) with 93.4% tackle efficiency.
Payne Haas
20-year-old front rower Payne Haas was a revelation for the Brisbane Broncos in his first season-long campaign in the Queensland capital. Capping off 2019 with Dally M Prop and Rookie of the Year Awards, the Paul Morgan Medal for Broncos Player of the Year, and Australian Kangaroos selection, Haas’ unprecedented season produced 102 tackle-breaks (7th), 1477 post-contact metres (3rd), and a 21-match average of 185.2 run metres and 35 tackles.
Jessica Sergis
Having represented the successful Harvey Norman NSW Women’s team and being a major contributor to the Dragons’ NRLW campaign, which saw them make their first Grand Final appearance, Jessica Sergis’ superb season was one to remember. Achieving the Red V’s NRLW Player of the Year and Dally M Female Player of the Year Awards, Sergis finished the 2019 season with three tries (1st), two line-breaks (2nd), 21 tackle-breaks (1st) and 528 run metres (3rd) including 147 post-contact (4th).