Sydney Roosters star James Tedesco has taken out the 2018 Brad Fittler Medal winner following a stand-out series for the victorious Blues.
The NSW fullback was voted his side’s best by teammates, who voted on a 3-2-1 basis after each game of the 2018 series.
Manly’s Tom Trbojevic followed in brother Jake’s footsteps, winning the prestigious True Blue award for the player who displayed qualities upon which team culture is built.
South Sydney hooker Damien Cook won the People’s Choice gong, voted by fans.
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But it was Tedesco who was the biggest winner on the night.
He made more tackle breaks (25) and post-contact metres (145.3m) than any other player across the three games, running for 504m overall.
He finished ahead of team-mate Josh Addo-Carr (22) in tackle breaks and edged out Queensland winger Dane Gagai (145.2m) and Maroons captain Greg Inglis (138.8m) in post-contact metres.
His 17 tackle breaks in Origin I set a new benchmark, beating the previous best of 16 reached by Queensland fullback Gary Belcher in game one of 1990.
Tedesco, who has helped guide the Roosters to within a game of the grand final, accepted the Brad Fittler Medal in front of more than 600 guests at the Star Event Centre on Monday night.
Previous winners include David Klemmer (2017), Josh Jackson (2016), Josh Dugan (2015), Jarryd Hayne (2007, 2009, 2014), Ryan Hoffman (2014), Paul Gallen (2011) and Danny Buderus (2008).
A host of other awards were also decided on the night, including:
Under-16 NSW player-of-the-year: Trey Mooney (Parramatta)
Under-18: Shawn Blore (Penrith Panthers)
Under-20: Reece Robson (St George Illawarra)
Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Simaima Taufa (Mounties)
NSW Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year: Isabelle Kelly (CRL Newcastle)
Intrust Super Premiership player-of-the-year: Caleb Aekins (Penrith Panthers)
Jersey Flegg: Beau Fermor (Newcastle Knights)
Ron Massey Cup: Beau Henry (Wentworthville Magpies)
Sydney Shield: Damien Lawler (Belrose Eagles)