Angus Crichton has tonight claimed his first Brad Fittler Medal following a remarkable season which saw him start off in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup before recapturing his best form to walk away with a State of Origin series win.
Crichton collected his medal from True Blue Brad Fittler in front of more than 500 guests in a glittering ceremony at The Star Event Centre with 20 awards presented across NSWRL Representative, Major Competitions and Junior Representative Competitions, as well as community.
“The Brad Fittler Medal is a tremendous occasion as it represents a chance for us to acknowledge the performances of our players, officials and referees from the 2024 season,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“The awards stretch from the vital contributions our volunteers make at grassroots level to the hard work our elite players put in for our representative competitions.
“I congratulate all the winners tonight and wish those clubs still involved with finals the very best of luck over the coming month.”
Crichton also claimed The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award (Blues), while Westpac NSW Sky Blues winger Jaime Chapman was also a dual winner after taking out the NSW Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year and The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award (Sky Blues).
Westpac NSW Blues captain Jake Trbojevic won the True Blue Award, and Yasmin Clydsdale won the equivalent Sky Blues Award, which are both determined by the coaching staff.
Also in attendance on the night were Westpac NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire, Westpac NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder, NSWRL Chairman Paul Conlon and the NSWRL Board, NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, NSW Blues and Sky Blues players, and club representatives.
Crichton was a standout in the 2024 Origin series which the Westpac NSW Blues claimed 2-1 and was later named the Wally Lewis Medallist for Player of the Series.
The NSW back-rower made his debut for the Blues in 2018 and has made 14 appearances for his state including his three games this season where he ran for a total of 488m (162 average), made 61 tackles, 10 offloads and two line break assists.
Chapman also starred in this year’s women’s Origin series after scoring two tries, running for a total of 370m (123 average), making a line break, a line break assist, 12 tackle busts and two offloads.
Canberra Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart was named the NSW Under 19s Men’s Player of the Year after scoring a try and setting up the match-winner in the 14-10 win over Queensland, while Illawarra Steelers halfback Kasey Reh was named NSW Under 19s Women’s Player of the Year.
Raiders halfback Adam Cook was named The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year after a stellar season for the Green Machine who finished third on the table.
Cook led the competition for try assists (21), was equal first for line break assists (20), and was second for both points scored (150) and goals (69).
Wentworthville Magpies back-rower Leilani Wilson was named Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year with the club currently sitting on top of the table with two rounds remaining before the finals series starts.
The Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award winner was also announced with Khalil Kouayder from Greenacre Tigers accepting the honour.
Kouayder was chosen from 12 regional winners and has been involved with Rugby League for 12 years, taking over as secretary of Greenacre Tigers in 2016.
He is a role model in the Muslim community, instils core values of good sportsmanship, respect and representing Greenacre with pride, and does so with good humour which visiting teams appreciate.
The Brad Fittler Medal night celebrates the achievements from the grassroots through to the elite for male and female players, as well as the contributions of referees, club officials and volunteers.
The Brad Fittler Medal was first presented in 2005 with winners including Matt King (2005), Steve Menzies (2006), Danny Buderus (2008), Paul Gallen (2011), James Tedesco (2018-19, 22), Nathan Cleary (2020), Tom Trbojevic (2021), and Brian To’o (2023).
The NSW Women’s Origin Player of the Year was first presented in 2015 with winners including Simaima Taufa (2015, 17, 19), Kezie Apps (2016), and Isabelle Kelly (2018, 21-22).
2024 BRAD FITTLER MEDAL FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Brad Fittler Medal: Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
True Blue Award: Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award: Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
NSW Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year: Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
Sky Blues Award: Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights)
CABE NSW Men's Under 19s Origin Player of the Year: Chevy Stewart (Canberra Raiders)
Westpac NSW Women's Under 19s Origin Player of the Year: Kasey Reh (Illawarra Steelers)
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year: Adam Cook (Canberra Raiders)
Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Leilani Wilson (Wentworthville Magpies)
Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Owen Pattie (Canberra Raiders)
Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Player of the Year: Craig Garvey (Glebe Dirty Reds)
Sydney Shield Player of the Year: Jake Watmough (Manly Leagues)
Men’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Josh Ayers (Monaro Colts)
Women’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Alicia Earsman (Western Rams)
Tom Nelson Medal for SLE Laurie Daley Cup Player of the Year: Jonah Anderson (Monaro Colts)
Ron Lanesbury Medal for SLE Andrew Johns Cup Player of the Year: Alexander Stephenson (Central Coast Roosters)
Grade Referee of the Year: Daniel Luttringer
Junior Representative Referee of the Year: Mitchell Pitscheider
Ray Stellar Club Person of the Year: Kerrie Court (St Marys Saints)
Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award: Khalil Kouayder (Greenacre Tigers)
