2012 Souths Player Awards
Piggins Best And Fairest Award - John Sutton
Rabbitohs co-captain and five-eighth John Sutton has won his second George Piggins Medal having been named the South Sydney Rabbitohs' best and fairest player for the 2012 season at the Souths Cares Red and Green Ball held at the Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh tonight (Friday). Sutton becomes the first player to have won the George Piggins Medal twice since it was first struck in 2003. Sutton has previously won the award in 2009. A South Sydney junior, Sutton had what was arguably his best season to date in 2012, playing at five-eighth in all 27 matches which the Rabbitohs contested throughout the 2012 season, all the way to the Preliminary Final alongside rookie halfback Adam Reynolds. It is the league record for the most number of games played together by one halves pairing in one season in the 104-year history of Rugby League in Australia. Sutton had a stellar season on the field, playing the most minutes of any Rabbitohs player in 2012 with 2150 minutes of game time at an average of 79.6 minutes per match. Sutton scored four tries in 2012, but set up 13 more through direct try assists. He ran for 2751 metres from 327 runs this year, making 74 tackle breaks, 11 line breaks and 28 offloads. Sutton also took his kicking game, both short and long, to a new level in 2012, being second only to primary kicker Adam Reynolds in the key statistical areas relating to general kicking. Sutton has always been recognised as an attacking ball runner, but his improvements in defence have been a highlight throughout 2012. Sutton has also improved his error rates this season, making just one error in every three games played. Sutton's leadership skills have also come to the fore in 2012, being named as one of five co-captains of the Rabbitohs for the 2012 season. Sutton was one of the leading lights for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2012 and is a deserved winner of the 2012 George Piggins Medal.
Rayner Players Player of The Year Award - Greg Inglis
Rabbitohs fullback Greg Inglis has been voted by his peers as the season's best player having been announced as the Rabbitohs' Jack Rayner Players' Player award winner for 2012 at the Souths Cares Red and Green Ball tonight (Friday). Inglis was shifted from centre to fullback in round three of this season, a move which has been regarded as a masterstroke by all and sundry as Inglis took his game to a new level over the 22 games he played for the Rabbitohs this season. Inglis played 1762 minutes in the cardinal and myrtle this season, scoring 12 tries, running 3277 metres from 312 runs including 1349 metres from 94 kick returns, made 163 tackle breaks, 22 line breaks, 16 offloads, 14 try assists, and one magical field goal which snatched victory over the Wests Tigers in the heritage round in round five this season. Inglis also played three State of Origin matches for Queensland this year, one match for the Indigenous All Stars, and will line up for his second Test match of the season when Australia plays New Zealand next Saturday night in Townsville. His efforts this season have been recognised by his team mates, often regarded as the highest praise you can receive as a player.
McCarthy Clubman of The Year Award - Sam Burgess & Michael Crocker
Rabbitohs co-captains Sam Burgess and Michael Crocker have been named as joint winners of the 2012 Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year award at the Souths Cares Red and Green Ball tonight (Friday). Both Burgess and Crocker have been inspirational leaders for the Rabbitohs, both on and off the field of play, throughout 2012. Burgess and Crocker have led from the front on the field, with Crocker having played in all 27 matches this season and Burgess competing in 22. Crocker and Burgess were both part of a five-man captaincy group at South Sydney this year which also included John Sutton, Roy Asotasi and Matt King. Crocker and Burgess were also leaders off the field, helping to create a fun yet hard-working environment within which the team could excel. Both Burgess and Crocker are winning this award for the second time, with Crocker taking home the gong for second year in a row having taken out this award in 2011, and Burgess having previously won it in the 2010 season, his first season at the Club.
Sattler Rookie of The Year Award - Adam Reynolds
Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds has added South Sydney's John Sattler Rookie of the Year award to his Dally M Rookie of the Year award for season 2012. Reynolds was judged to be the Club's best rookie this season, having played in all 27 matches and finishing the season as the Club's top pointscorer. Reynolds finished ahead fellow rookies Andrew Everingham, Justin Hunt, George Burgess, Josh Starling and Neccrom Areaiiti to take out the award, named in the honour of one of South Sydney's greatest players, John Sattler. Reynolds completed the season with 208 points from three tries, 98 goals and two field goals. Reynolds became only the second South Sydney player of all time to break through the 200 points in a season barrier, with the great Eric Simms having achieved the feat on four occasions. Reynolds is the third halfback and fourth South Sydney junior to have collected the John Sattler Rookie of the Year award since 2003.
The Burrow Player of The Year Award - Adam Reynolds
Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds has won the player of the year award presented by South Sydney supporters group, The Burrow. The Burrow Members have presented the rookie halfback with his third award of the night, after he took out the Best Hit and Best Try awards earlier during the presentations being made at the Souths Cares Red and Green Ball tonight (Friday). Reynolds had a stellar season, playing in all 27 matches alongside his five-eighth John Sutton in every match this season. Reynolds is the second halfback and third South Sydney junior to have collected The Burrow's highest honour.
Members Choice Award - Adam Reynolds
Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds has taken out the Members' Choice Award for season 2012. The award, which is voted upon by the Club's 22,000-plus Members, saw Reynolds finish with 25% of the total votes for his efforts throughout the 2012 season. Other players to have registered significant votes include co-captain Sam Burgess, fullback Greg Inglis and winger Nathan Merritt. Reynolds proved himself to be a crowd favourite throughout 2012, having recovered successfully from a serious knee injury which saw him miss all of the 2012 season. Reynolds went on to become the competition's number goal kicker, kicking with an accuracy of over 85% at season's end.
NYC Best and Fairest Award - Luke Keary
Rabbitohs halfback Luke Keary has won the NYC Best and Fairest Award for the Toyota Cup in 2012, which was presented at the Souths Cares Red and Green Ball at the Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh tonight (Friday). Keary played in 24 of the 25 Toyota Cup matches for the Rabbitohs in 2012, scoring 20 tries and setting up another 30 throughout the season. Keary was called up into the full time training squad with the Rabbitohs during 2012, and also had the opportunity to play with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup in the finals series. Keary was also named on the bench in the 2012 Toyota Cup Team of the Year.
NYC Players Player Award - Jesse Roberts
Rabbitohs lock forward Jesse Roberts has taken home the NYC Players' Player Award for the Toyota Cup in 2012. Roberts played in all 25 Toyota Cup matches for the Rabbitohs throughout 2012, scoring eight tries to be the Club's second highest tryscoring forward in the under 20s side, behind only Apisai Koroisau who played at hooker and the halves throughout the season. Roberts was one of the hardest working players on the field every week for the Rabbitohs, and hence the recognition from his team mates for a solid season in the national youth competition.
Coach's Best Hit and Tackle Awards - Adam Reynolds
Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds has been named the number one in the Club in terms of attack and defence by Head Coach Michael Maguire at tonight's Souths Cares Red and Green Ball. During Coach Maguire's address to the audience, he presented two new awards, those being for the Best Hit of 2012 and the Best Try of 2012. Reynolds took home both awards, with his chase and touch-finding tackle on Parramatta's Chris Sandow in round 15 winning the defensive gong, and his last-minute try to steal victory against the Roosters in round 19 winning the attacking award. Both performances were memorable events in a special season for the Rabbitohs, with Reynolds' efforts highlighted for their significance and ability to lift the team to victory.
NSW Cup Player of the Year - Josh Starling
Congratulations to Josh Starling who took out the North Sydney Bears NSW Cup player of the year award.
Season Leading Point Scorers
First Grade Top Try Scorer - 17 - Andrew Everingham Top Point Scorer - 208 - Adam Reynolds NYC U20's Top Try Scorer - 20 - Luke Keary Top Point Scorer - 208 - Apasi Koroisau NSW Cup Top Try Scorer - 15 - Curtis Johnston Top Point Scorer - 144 - Justin Hunt All 3 Grades Top Try Scorer - 22 - Luke Keary Top Point Scorer - 208 - Adam Reynolds & Apasi Koroisau Best Goal Kickers - Top 5 (All Grades) Phillips 1 from 1 100% Luke 7 from 8 88% Roberts.Ja 18 from 21 86% Carr 6 from 7 86% Reynolds 97 from 116 84%