Chris Sandow has tonight taken home the prestigious Ken Thornett Medal for NRL Players’ Player at the Dyldam Parramatta Eels annual presentation evening.
The 2014 Ken Thornett Medal at Lilyfield’s Le Montage Event Centre recognises players from NRL, NYC and NSW Cup in a celebration of the rugby league season so far.
Past and present players mingled with staff and families, emceed by ‘the voice of the NRL’, Ray Warren.
The Ken Thornett Medal, named for the famous Eels fullback, is voted week-by-week by the Eels NRL team, tallied up across 26 rounds and awarded to the NRL Players’ Player. Chris Sandow was over the moon to be voted Players’ Player by his teammates and good mates.
“I’m stoked,” Sandow said.
“It means a lot coming from the boys. We’ve come a long way this season as a group, and I can’t wait to start preparing for 2015.”
Co-captain of the Eels, Jarryd Hayne, was also among the winners on the night, taking home the Jack Gibson NRL Coaches’ Award, the Blue and Gold Army Members’ Player of the Year, and the Toast a Tooheys online fan vote after a tremendous season for the club.
“It was disappointing not to be in the eight, but we need to look at where we were last season and how far we’ve come,” Hayne said.
“Receiving these awards from Brad and the Members means a lot. We’re still training at the moment and with another pre-season as a squad I hope we can go further in the competition next year.”
CEO Scott Seward said it is important to recognise the achievements of the players after a solid year.
“On nights such as these, we recognise the great efforts and achievements of the players over the year,” Seward said.
“It is important that we come together as a club and celebrate the efforts of everyone involved this season.”
While the Parramatta Eels shift their focus to preparing for the 2015 season, the NYC Eels will fly the flag for the club in the Holden Cup Preliminary finals in two weeks’ time, while the Wentworthville Magpies NSW Cup team plays the Penrith Panthers this week to keep their finals run alive.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels 2014 Award Winners:
Blue and Gold Army Members' Player of the Year – Jarryd Hayne
Toast a Tooheys Fan Player of the Year – Jarryd Hayne
Ray Price NRL Community Award – Ben Smith
Brett Kenny NYC Coaches' Award – Ryan Matterson
Steve Ella NYC Players' Player Award – Tepai Moeroa
Geoff Gerard NSW Cup Coaches' Award – Isaac Maliota
Bob O'Reilly NSW Cup Players' Player Award – Daniel Alvaro
Michael Cronin Clubman of the Year – Jan Bryen
Eric Grothe Senior NRL Rookie of the Year – Manu Ma’u
Jack Gibson NRL Coaches' Award – Jarryd Hayne
Ken Thornett Medal for NRL Players' Player – Chris Sandow
