2020 Club Awards

The 2020 NRL regular season is over and clubs have begun handing out their annual end of season awards. Click here to see the awards for the 2019 season here! Click here to see the awards for the 2018 season here! Click here to see the awards for the 2017 season here! Click here to see the awards for the 2016 season here! Penrith Panthers Penrith playmaker Nathan Cleary has taken out the club's Merv Cartwright Medal for 2020 following a prolific season for the Panthers. Cleary was also named Dally M Halfback of the Year and was crowned RLPA PLayers' Champion earlier in the year after guiding his side to the Grand Final. [caption id="attachment_75909" align="alignnone" width="696"] PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers is tackled during the round 18 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at Panthers Stadium on September 11, 2020 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Merv Cartwright Medal: Nathan Cleary John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination: James Fisher-Harris Members Player of the Year: Nathan Cleary Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year: Stephen Crichton Club Person of the Year: Jason Wrigley New Zealand Warriors Tohu Harris has put Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's three-year run for the Mannering Medal to an end, taking out the honours after a sensational 2020 campaign. Harris was named in the Dally M NRL Team of the Year as a second-rower alongside Panthers star Viliame Kikau. The 28-year-old ranked in the top five for the league for post-contact metres with 1,339 and fourth for forwards for averaged metres gained with 173 metres per game. [caption id="attachment_42230" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 16: Tohu Harris of the Warriors makes a break during the round 1 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/2019 Getty Images)[/caption] Simon Mannering Medal: Tohu Harris Vodafone People’s Choice Award: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Vodafone NRL Rookie of the Year: Jamayne Taunoa-Brown Canterbury of NZ Clubman of the Year: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck NRL Players’ Player of the Year: Tohu Harris Melbourne Storm Melbourne captain Cameron Smith won his eighth Player of the Year after a stellar season in 2020. The 37-year-old was once again one of the league's best players and has added to the legacy he will soon leave behind. Smith capped off the season with a Premiership victory in what was his 430th game in the purple. [caption id="attachment_36821" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Cameron Smith of the Storm leads his team onto the field during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on September 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Members' Player of the Year: Ryan Papenhuyzen Best Forward of the Year: Brandon Smith Best Back of the Year: Ryan Papenhuyzen Most Improved Player of the Year: Justin Olam Billy Slater Rookie of the Year: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Cooper Cronk Feeder Club Player of the Year: Isaac Lumelume Cronulla Sharks To little surprise, Shaun Johnson took home the Port-Gallen Medal after a sensational 2020 campaign. The New Zealand international was one of four nominations for the award, edging out Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf and Sione Katoa for the honours. Johnson was equal first in the league for try assists this season, tying with Penrith's Jarome Luai with 23. [caption id="attachment_70975" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Shaun Johnson of the Sharks looks to pass the ball during the round nine NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)[/caption] Porter-Gallen Medal: Shaun Johnson Tommy Bishop Player's Player: Siosifa Talakai Member's Player of the Year: Shaun Johnson Sharks Have Heart Community Award: Ronaldo Mulitalo Steve Rogers Rookie of the Year: Toby Rudolf Try of the Year: Connor Tracey vs Broncos Rd12 Tackle of the Year: Shaun Johnson vs Eels Rd13 Sydney Roosters James Tedesco has won his third consecutive Jack Gibson Medal, becoming the first Roosters player to ever do so. The Chooks superstar scored 11 tries and assisted 15 more from his 19 games in 2020. The Roosters fullback also took out the Members' Player of the Year and has been selected into the NSW Blues' extended Origin squad. [caption id="attachment_57064" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: James Tedesco of the Roosters runs the ball during the round nine NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters at QCB Stadium on July 09, 2020 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Members Player of the Year: James Tedesco Roosters Our Community Award: Angus Crichton Barry Van Heekeren “MOCCA” Award: Chris James Harry Phipps Rising Star Award: Daniel Suluka-Fifita Chris Sykes Award (Junior Representative Player of the Year): Naufahu Whyte James Mathews Clubman of the Year: Victor Radley Jack Gibson Medal: James Tedesco Parramatta Eels Eels captain Clint Gutherson took home the 2020 Ken Thornett Medal for Parramatta after a tantalising season in the blue and gold. Gutherson scored 10 tries and assisted 17 from 22 games this season, also adding 12 goals to his tally. The star fullback also took home the Nathan Hindmarsh Players’ Player Award and the Blue & Gold Army Player of the Year award. [caption id="attachment_56898" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Clinton Gutherson of the Eels makes a break during the round eight NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the North Queensland Cowboys at Bankwest Stadium on July 03, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Ken Thornett Medal: Clint Gutherson Jack Gibson NRL Coaches' Award: Junior Paulo Ray Price NRL Community Award: Reed Mahoney Eric Grothe NRL Rookie of the Year: Andrew Davey Blue and Gold Army Player of the Year: Clint Gutherson Michael Cronin Club Person of the Year: Don Musson Newcastle Knights Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has taken out his second Danny Buderus Medal after a strong 2020 season with Newcastle. The Maroons No.1 collected 10 tries, 14 try assists and 46 goals this season to continue his prolific career with the Knights. Coach Adam O'Brien said "Kalyn had a terrific season. “His toughness is something which is overlooked by a lot of experts but even his harshest critic would acknowledge how gritty some of his performances were." [caption id="attachment_49022" align="alignnone" width="696"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Kalyn Ponga of the Newcastle Knights in action during the round 22 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys at McDonald Jones Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Danny Buderus Medal (Player of the Year): Kalyn Ponga NRL Players’ Player Award: Kalyn Ponga Gladiator of the Year Award: Kurt Mann Community Player of the Year : Connor Watson Rookie of the Year: Chris Randall Knight in Shining Armor: Mitch Barnett Club Person of the Year: Luke Huth Brisbane Broncos Broncos forward pairing Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas have shared the Paul Morgan Award at Brisbane's Awards night. The gong is Haas' second in two seasons, with Carrigan backing up his Rookie of the Year honours of 2019 with the club's highest award. Carrigan stood up in the absence of Alex Glenn in a breakout campaign as the Broncos finished the season with the wooden spoon. [caption id="attachment_49480" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Payne Haas of the Broncos in action during the round 22 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Paul Morgan Medal: Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas Players' Player Award for 2020: Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas Rookie of the Year: Herbie Farnworth Best Back: Kotoni Staggs Best Forward: Payne Haas Most Consistent Player: Patrick Carrigan Clubman of the Year: Gina Malcolm North Queensland Cowboys A diamond in the rough season for Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo, with the 27-year-old winning his fifth consecutive Paul Bowman Medal. Taumalolo has now surpassed club legend Jonathan Thurston's record of four gongs, with the North Queensland lock enjoying a fantastic 2020 campaign despite a forgettable season for the Cows. Taumalolo averaged over 200 metres per game, head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, and has fast become a fan favourite in North Queensland. [caption id="attachment_25989" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys smiles after scoring a try during the round 16 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Manly Sea Eagles at 1300SMILES Stadium on June 27, 2016 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Club Person of the Year: John Asiata Members' Player of the Year: Kyle Feldt Rookie of the Year: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Coach's Award: Mitch Dunn Players' Player of the Year: Josh McGuire Paul Bowman Medal for Cowboy of the Year: Jason Taumalolo Wests Tigers Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has won the club's Kelly-Barnes Award for 2020 as the team's Player of the Year. Nofoaluma edged out rookie Harry Grant for the award, with Alex Twal, Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks making up the top five. The 26-year-old scored 17 tries for the season and was also voted as the NRL Players' Player of the Year. [caption id="attachment_34601" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - MAY 27: David Nofoaluma of the Tigers celebrates victory during the round 12 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on May 27, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Kelly-Barnes Award: David Nofoaluma NRL Players’ Player: David Nofoaluma NRL Rookie of the Year: Harry Grant Harvey Norman Women’s Player of the Year: Sophie Curtain Harvey Norman Women’s Players’ Player: Botille Vette-Welsh Wayne Pearce Community Award: Chris Lawrence Wests Tigers Club Person of the Year: Clair Schwencke and Billy Callaway Wests Tigers Women of the Year: Jess Adams Life Member Inductees: Todd Payten and Daniel Fitzhenry Gold Coast Titans Brian Kelly narrowly beat 2019 winner Moeaki Fotuaika for the Paul Broughton Medal, winning the prestigious honour by one vote. Kelly enjoyed a stellar 2020 camping, particularly in the middle third of the year, winning votes in consecutive games between rounds 10 and 14. The Titans winger was named as the team's best player on three occasions and becomes just the third outside back to win the award. Paul Broughton Medal: Brian Kelly The Titans are set to announce Members MVP, Coach’s Award, Rookie of the Year and Try of the Year in the coming days. Canberra Raiders The Green machine has run smoothly once again in 2020, with the Raiders finishing just outside the top four on points difference as they prepare for another deep finals push. To cap off another spectacular season in the Capital, Josh Papalii won his fourth Meninga Medal along with first-time winner Jack Wighton in a tied vote count. The pair were as deserving of the award as each other, with Papalii winning the award for a third consecutive time, while Wighton will be sure to add more to his pool room by the end of his career. [caption id="attachment_48694" align="alignnone" width="696"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Josh Papalii of the Raiders takes on the defence during the round 23 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Manly Sea Eagles at GIO Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Meninga Medal: Josh Papalii & Jack Wighton Geoff Caldwell Welfare & Education Award: Matt Frawley Fred Daly Memorial Club Person of the Year: Dunamis Lui NRL Rookie of the Year: Semi Valemei NRL Coaches Award: Ryan Sutton Canterbury Bulldogs While the Bulldogs din't have the season they were after, the club produced a number of rare highlights within their script for 2020. Veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran took home the club's Player of the Year Award despite playing just 14 matches. The 30-year-old assisted 12 tries and laid over 300 tackles in what has been a stellar farewell season at Belmore. [caption id="attachment_46259" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Kieran Foran of the Bulldogs makes a break during the round 15 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium on June 30, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Dr George Peponis Player of the Year: Kieran Foran Steve Mortimer Rookie of the Year: Jake Averillo Les Johns Clubperson of the Year: Jackson Topine Peter Warren Medal (for Community Service): Adam Elliott Coaches Award: Raymond Faitala-Mariner St George Illawarra Dragons Dragons hooker Cameron McInnes has been crowned as the Saints' best player for the second consecutive season, taking out the Dragons Player of the Year Medal in 2020. The Dragons' skipper led the league for tackles laid this season with 978 to his name, plying his trade between hooker and lock. McInnes joined the Dragons for the 2017 season and has become a fan favourite of the club in his four season with St George Illawarra. [caption id="attachment_49384" align="alignnone" width="696"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 28: Cameron McInnes of the Dragons looks on during the round 15 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys at WIN Stadium on June 28, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Dragons’ Medalist Player of the Year: Cameron McInnes Dragons' Immortals Trophy: Tyson Frizell Geoff Selby Memorial Trophy: Adam Clune Mark Coyne Trophy: Tristan Sailor