George Piggins Medal

Capping off a stellar season, Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook has become the 17th recipient of the George Piggins Medal at the 2018 Red and Green Ball.

After taking out the Dally M Hooker of the Year and the Provan-Summons People's Choice Award at the Dally M Awards, Cook has now been crowned South Sydney's best and fairest player of 2018.

It marks Cook's third award of the night, as he was also the recipient of The Burrow Appreciation Award (NRL) and the Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award, also becoming the second hooker to take out the award after Issac Luke in 2010.

In his 25 appearances for the Rabbitohs in 2018, Cook scored four scintillating tries, recording seven try assists, nine line break assists, nine line breaks while averaging 104 running metres per game and making over 1000 tackles for the season.

Cook's form also earned him a spot in the NSW State of Origin team, where he played all three matches and played a huge role in the side's successful campaign. He will continue his representative honours with the Australian Kangaroos later this month in what has been an impressive year for the 27-year-old.

The Best and Fairest award is named after Rabbitohs Club legend George Piggins, who was a premiership-winning and international player, coach and official over a 40-year period. He was also one of the leading figures in the Club's fight for reinstatement to the National Rugby League in the early 2000s.

Head Coach Anthony Seibold presented Cook with the award.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Damien on his stellar season and his awards.

Previous Winners:

2002 - Paul Stringer

2003 – Bryan Fletcher

2004 – Ashley Harrison

2005 – Peter Cusack

2006 – David Fa'alogo

2007 – Roy Asotasi

2008 – Luke Stuart

2009 – John Sutton

2010 – Issac Luke

2011 – Nathan Merritt

2012 – John Sutton

2013 – Greg Inglis and John Sutton

2014 – Sam Burgess

2015 – Greg Inglis

2016 – Sam Burgess

2017 – Sam Burgess