Dyldam Parramatta Eels second rower Manu Ma’u has been awarded the 2016 Ken Thornett Medal as the NRL Players’ Player, at the club’s presentation evening at Curzon Hall tonight (Thursday 15 September).
The Ken Thornett Medal night recognised players from the NRL, Holden Cup and Intrust Super Premiership NSW Cup sides to mark the 2016 season.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman John Grant and Parramatta Eels Chairman Max Donnelly also made tributes to recently passed Eels legend Ken Thornett.
Blue and Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur was named the recipient of the club’s prestigious Michael Cronin Club Person of the Year for his leadership of the club during 2016.
After over a thousand of votes from the Blue and Gold Members, Clint Gutherson was voted the Blue and Gold Army Members’ Player of the Year, while newly re-signed Eels hooker Issac De Gois was awarded the Jack Gibson NRL Coaches’ Award.
After breaking the Eels record for most tries in a debut season, Bevan French received the Eric Grothe Senior NRL Rookie of the Year.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels 2016 Award Winners:
Ken Thornett Medal for NRL Players’ Player - Manu Ma’u
Jack Gibson NRL Coaches’ Award – Issac De Gois
Eric Grothe Senior NRL Rookie of the Year – Bevan French
Ray Price NRL Community Award - Tim Mannah
Blue and Gold Army Members’ Player of the Year – Clint Gutherson
Brett Kenny NYC Coaches’ Award – Jack Morris
Steven Ella NYC Players’ Player Award – Troy Dargan
Geoff Gerard NSW Cup Coaches’ Award – Cameron King
Bob O’Reilly NSW Cup Players’ Player Award - Sam Gorman
Michael Cronin Club Person of the Year – Brad Arthur
