Tom Trbojevic adds Brad Fittler Medal to outrageous accolade haul for 2021

Tom Naghten

•
Tom Trbojevic adds Brad Fittler Medal to outrageous accolade haul for 2021 image

Manly and New South Wales star Tom Trbojevic has capped off one of the most incredible seasons of all time by taking out the Brad Fittler Medal as the Blues' best player.

Trbojevic, playing at centre, enjoyed a brilliant State of Origin series as NSW won back the shield.

All three games were played in Queensland as COVID-19 continued to place obstacles in front of the game, but the Blues won the first two games to seal the series before the Maroons salvaged some pride in the third clash.

Trbojevic brought his stellar club form into the Origin arena, setting the tone for the series with a hat-trick in the 50-6 Game I demolition, while he crossed for another try in the 26-0 Game II shutout.

The 25-year-old claimed a first Brad Fittler Medal at the NSWRL awards nights in Sydney on Wednesday.

"I've always admired Brad Fittler; he's a legend of the game and has done it all for NSW and now to be coached by him and win an award named after him is something special," Trbojevic said.

"It's pretty surreal, I'm very honoured."

Trbojevic has picked up just about every possible honour after a 2021 which left many rating him as the game's best player.

In addition to the Brad Fittler Medal, he also won:

  • Dally M Medal
  • RLPA Players' Champion
  • Wally Lewis Medal
  • Dally M Fullback of the Year
  • RLPA Fullback of the Year
  • NRL and RLPA Academic Player of the Year
  • Peoples' Choice Award (NSWRL)
  • 'Roy Bull' Best and Fairest Player (Manly)
  • Players' Player (Manly)
  • Leading try scorer (Manly)
  • Members' Player of the Year (Manly)

Meanwhile, South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell, who also played centre for NSW, took out the True Blue Award - a recognition of the player who displays qualities upon which the team culture is built.

Star outside back Isabelle Kelly took out the Sky Blues Player of the Year for her efforts in NSW's narrow 8-6 loss to Queensland in their one-off Origin.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.