TAUMALOLO NAMED PLAYERS CHAMPION
Powerhouse lock forward Jason Taumalolo has been named Rugby League Players Association's Players' Champion for the first time in his career, ending teammate Johnathan Thurston's three-year grip on the trophy.
The 23-year-old finished the 2016 regular season with 4,002 running metres, 553 tackles, 71 tackle breaks and six tries in his best year of NRL since making his first-grade debut in 2010.
The Cowboys star was unable to attend the gala event at Sydney's Star Casino on Tuesday night, instead accepting the award via video link in Townsville.
Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns fooled everyone in attendance when he announced that 'JT' had won, before explaining that it was in fact Taumalolo and not Thurston who had received the top gong.
"First of all I'd like to thank my peers for voting," Taumalolo said.
"Like 'Johnno' (Thurston) said before, this is right up there as the best or one of the biggest awards that you can win. To be voted amongst peers is obviously very special so a big thanks to my peers.
Johnathan Thurston & Jason Taumalolo
"To the RLPA, [thanks] for everything they've done throughout the whole year and for supporting the players, what they've done behind doors is so big for us players. It makes us worry more about footy instead of off-field dramas.
"To those who have won other awards earlier today, congratulations."
Source: North Queensland Cowboys
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