THE YEAR THAT WAS | Cameron Murray
2019 was the year that Cameron Murray well and truly became a superstar of Rugby League.
While he burst onto the scene last year with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and was revered as one of the rising stars of the game, it was this campaign where he came of age.
He displayed a willingness to do whatever it takes for his team-mates and is a genuine workhorse who tries just as hard defensively as he does with the ball in hand.
His blistering early season form was rewarded with a place in the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues squad, bringing his passion to the fore as he helped the Blues claim a memorable Origin series victory.
“I think within the next five years he’ll be captaining NSW and down the track he’ll be the Australian captain." – Andrew Johns
In his 26 appearances for the cardinal and myrtle this year, Murray recorded 12 tries, nine line-breaks, and 33 offloads, while averaging 113m per game along with 35 tackles.
He earned an eventual international representative debut with the Australian Kangaroos in their final Test against Tonga – a fitting finish for a player who is set to dominate the competition in 2020 and beyond.
2019 Season Highlight
Round 18 v North Queensland Cowboys - 30-18 W
You could handpick countless moments from Murray’s 2019 season but his stunning Man of the Match performance against the Cowboys was arguably his most impressive effort.
To put simply, it was a ‘cometh the hour, cometh the champion’ scenario.
With the scores locked at 18-all with just four minutes remaining, South Sydney were throwing everything they could at the Cowboys who were desperately defending their goal-line.
It was Tevita Tatola who broke the deadlock, courtesy of a deft offload from Murray as he poked his way through the line.
Just moments later, it was none other than Murray who sealed the victory, as he supported a James Roberts burst through the middle–third to score under the posts – an incredible effort considering he already amassed 51 tackles and 105m.
Representative Highlight
State of Origin Game III - 26-20 W
The 2019 State of Origin series delivered plenty of heart-stopping moments but the second-half of Game Three will go down in Rugby League folklore.
While Tedesco starred with two tries en route to Man of the Match honours, Murray provided an immediate impact off the interchange bench with culminated into two game defining plays.
In the ensuing set-of-six following Damien Cook’s dazzling 40m try, Murray shafted off Felise Kaufusi and Corey Norman to break through the middle, only for his pass to Tedesco going astray as Cameron Munster defused it with an attempted intercept.
If that wasn’t enough to prove his was ready-made for Origin, a desperate cover tackle on Corey Oates managed to halt his momentum before Jake Trbojevic and Tedesco finished the job just moments later.
It’s safe to say that Murray has a long future in the representative arena if his 2019 performances are anything to go by.
Off-Field Highlight
Dally M Lock of the Year
When it comes to locks in the NRL in 2019 it’s a tough field when you have an elite class that’s headlined by the likes Murray, Jason Taumalolo, Jake Trbojevic, Dale Finucane, and Victor Radley.
While each player enjoyed stellar campaigns at clubland and in the representative arena respectively, Murray was deservedly voted as the Dally M Lock of the Year.
It’s hard to go past as the ultimate off-field highlight, such is the prestige of the award that has been won previously by legends such as Brad Fittler, Bradley Clyde, and Wayne Pearce.