Veteran Raider Jordan Rapana has capped his third most prolific season by claiming his first Mal Meninga Medal.
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Rapana played 21 matches for the Raiders in 2021, and was easily their most reliable performer on the wing and at fullback, finishing with 12 tries.
It was a return to the form Rapana showed in 2016-17 during which he scored 44 tries for the club, and the 32-year-old's efforts were rewarded last month when he signed a contract extension through to 2023.
He also provided coach Ricky Stuart with a reliable option at fullback, after regular custodian Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was waylaid with a neck injury, and his replacement Bailey Simonsson hurt his toe.
Rapana finished on 21 votes in the Mal Meninga tally, six clear of four-time winner Josh Papalii, with Englishman Ryan Sutton a point further adrift.
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
The Raiders had a small ceremony to celebrate their end of season awards, after the COVID pandemic forced them to cancel the event for a second-straight year.
Hooker Tom Starling was awarded the Coaches Award, as young guns Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Timoko split Rookie of the Year honours. Tireless trainer Grant Hogan won Club Person of the year, while Trey Mooney won the club's junior representative player of the year.
2021 Meninga Medal Award Winners
NSW Cup Player of the Year - Kai O'Donnell
NSW Cup Coaches Award - Matt Frawley
Geoff Caldwell Welfare & Education Award - Elliott Whitehead
Gordon McLucas Memorial Junior Representative Player of the Year - Trey Mooney
Fred Daly Memorial Club Person of the Year - Grant Hogan
NRL Rookie of the Year - Harley Smith-Shields & Matt Timoko
NRL Coaches Award - Tom Starling
Meninga Medal - Jordan Rapana
Meninga Medal Top 5
21 Votes - Jordan Rapana
15 Votes - Josh Papalii
14 Votes - Ryan Sutton
13 Votes - Joe Tapine
11 Votes - Tom Starling
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
