Jordan Rapana has capped off a strong individual season for the club, by winning the 2021 Meninga Medal.
The Meninga Medal is awarded annually to the club’s best player, with voting for the top honour conducted by the players and football staff weekly on a 3-2-1 basis.
Rapana’s final tally of 21 votes saw him awarded the club’s highest individual honour, edging out four-time winner of the award Josh Papalii (15 votes), Ryan Sutton (14 votes), Joe Tapine (13 votes) and Tom Starling (11 votes).
It’s been a remarkable season for the Raiders winger, with a shift to fullback late in the season seeing him pick up several votes with a string of man of the match performances.
Tom Starling was awarded the club's Coaches award for a strong and consistent season, while the club’s rookie of the year award was shared by Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Timoko.
Both Smith-Shields and Timoko were rewarded for their efforts over the past two COVID-affected seasons, with both players debuting in 2020 but playing more NRL matches during 2021.
The Fred Daly Memorial Club Person of the year was awarded to trainer Grant Hogan, for his tireless efforts and contributions towards the club. Grant’s work behind the scenes for the club does not go unnoticed and his attention to detail and assistance during the team’s relocation to Queensland has been first class.
Elliott Whitehead was awarded the Geoff Caldwell Welfare and Education award for his study for a Certificate IV in Elite Wellbeing and Certificate IV in Career Development.
Trey Mooney was awarded the Gordon McLucas Memorial Junior Representative player of the year for his fantastic season at SG Ball and NSW Cup levels. Trey has also been part of the Raiders NRL squad this season.
Despite the season being cut short due to the COVID situation in NSW, Kai O’Donnell was named the NSW Cup Player of the year for the Raiders, with Matt Frawley named the winner of the Coaches Award for NSW Cup.
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
