Mackay Cutters hooker Josh Chudleigh is the toast of the Intrust Super Cup tonight after receiving the competition’s most prestigious individual award – the 2016 Courier Mail Medal.
The accolade capped off a memorable month for the 22-year-old rising star, who only last week re-signed with the North Queensland Cowboys for a further two seasons.
On the back of his stunning form for the Cutters, Chudleigh stamped himself as a player of immense potential when he scored a brilliant individual try while on debut for the Cowboys in Round 18 of the NRL.
Chudleigh, who was also named as the competition’s best hooker in the Intrust Super Cup’s Team of the Year tonight, played 21 games for the Cutters this season.
While the Cutters struggled to string regular wins together throughout the course of the season, Chudleigh’s performances never wavered.
His form with the Cutters went to a new level upon his return from the NRL, with the former Australian Schoolboy receiving Courier Mail points in five consecutive Intrust Super Cup rounds (Rd 19 to 23) to land the top gong.
He tallied 27 points to finish at the top of the standings from 2015 winner Luke Page (25), Sam Anderson (24), Darren Nicholls (23) and Herman Ese’ese (22).
The Courier Mail’s chief rugby league reporter, Peter Badel, presented Chudleigh with the medal in front of more than 300 guests at the Royal International Convention Centre.
Rising Broncos and Norths Devils forward Jai Arrow was named XXXX Representative Player of the Year following his outstanding performance with the Queensland Residents.
Redcliffe flyer Jonus Pearson took out the Carbine Club Rookie of the Year award, while PNG Hunters star Justin Olam was the recipient of the XXXX People’s Choice Award.
2016 QRL Awards:
Cyril Connell Cup Player of the Year: David Fifita (Souths Logan Magpies) & Cory Paix (Toowoomba Clydesdales)
Mal Meninga Cup Player of the Year: Alexander Brimson (Gold Coast White) & Gerome Burns (Norths Devils)
FOGS Colts Challenge Player of the Year: Lane Ferling (Norths Devils)
Carbine Club Rookie of the Year: Jonus Pearson (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Struddy’s Leading Point Scorer: Darren Nicholls (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Struddy’s Leading Try Scorer: Jonathon Reuben (Townsville Blackhawks)
Club Championship: Redcliffe Dolphins
John ‘Cracker’ McDonald Minor Premiership Shield: Redcliffe Dolphins
XXXX People’s Choice Award: Justin Olam (PNG Hunters)
XXXX Representative Player of the Year: Jai Arrow (Norths Devils)
Match Official Recognition: Michael Wise (Origin Touch Judge); Clayton Sharpe (200 Intrust Super Cup games)
Women’s Representative Player of the Year: Brittany Breayley
Intrust Super Cup Team of the Year –
- Fullback: Jahrome Hughes (Townsville Blackhawks)
- Wing: Jonus Pearson (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Centre: Moses Pangai (Townsville Blackhawks)
- Five-Eighth: Cameron Cullen (Burleigh Bears)
- Halfback: Jamal Fogarty (Burleigh Bears)
- Prop: Sam Anderson (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Hooker: Josh Chudleigh (Mackay Cutters)
- Second Row: Rhyse Martin (Townsville Blackhawks)
- Lock: Jai Arrow (Norths Devils)
Coach of the Year: Jimmy Lenihan (Burleigh Bears)
Courier Mail Medal: Josh Chudleigh (Mackay Cutters)
