Mcb777 BetNRL 2023: Titans, Top of the props: Fotuaika, Mato rewarded for strong seasons

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Timestamp: Wed 20 Sep 2023, 10:31 PM

Moeaki Fotuaika has claimed his second Paul Broughton Medal to cap off his stellar season with the Titans, taking home the Gold Coast’s top honour on Wednesday night.

First winning the accolade in 2019 as a teenager, the 23-year-old was the most consistent performer on the field in 2023, earning an Origin recall for the Maroons and his good form is also expected to see him represent Tonga next month in a Test series against England.

Fellow front rower Shannon Mato was judged the best NRLW player of the season for the second year in a row, with the powerful forward leading the competition for running metres and post-contact metres as she prepares to line up in the Coast's quest to the big dance against the Roosters on Sunday.

Both Fotuaika and Mato also received recognition from their peers with the prop duo judged the players’ player in their respective squads.

It's no surprise Alofiana Khan-Pereira has earned rookie of the year honours for his 20 tries across 23 appearances, with the 21-year-old preparing to make his International debut on the wing for the Prime Minister’s XIII against the Kumuls this weekend.

Rising playmaker Chantay Kiria-Ratu was announced as Gold Coast’s NRLW rookie of the year with the Keebra Park alumni progressing from the Titans academy and development system to impress in her first season in the halves.

In other football awards, David Fifita didn’t leave the night empty after returning to his damaging best, impressing the Legion as the Members’ MVP; neither did Chris Randall earning accolades from the NRL coaching staff for his season as a Titan.

With a competition high 402 tackles at an incredible 99.4 percent, captain Georgia Hale received the same recognition from the NRLW coaching staff; meanwhile, excitement machine Evania Pelite has kept plenty of fans entertained each week, which is why she was voted the Members’ NRLW MVP.