St George Illawarra Dragons prop Leeson Ah Mau has been named recipient of the Club’s ‘Player of the Year’ Medal at the annual end of season Presentation Night on Sunday.

The Toa Samoa international, who was selected by both his peers and coaching staff, made 657 tackles and 2,857 metres in total this season and was the sole Dragons player to feature in all 25 first-grade fixtures.

Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop ended the season as the Club’s highest try and points scorer, with nine tries and 182 points respectively, and secured his second consecutive Red V Members ‘Player of the Year’ Award.

Representative fullback Josh Dugan was for the second-time awarded the Dragons Immortals Trophy, as selected by the St George living Immortals in consultation with the Clubs Coaching Staff, after meeting the Immortals’ criteria of demonstrating commitment, dedication and the right attitude to the Club.

Additionally, second-rower Tyson Frizell was honoured with the Geoff Selby Memorial Coach’s Award for demonstrating characteristics of the award’s namesake Geoff Selby, a hardworking and highly respected former Dragons player who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1989.

Furthermore, fellow Dragons second-rower Joel Thompson, the Club’s Ken Stephens NRL Community Award nominee, was honoured with the Dragons Community Involvement Award for his substantial work in the community promoting the Club’s eight Community Pillars- Charity, Cultural, Education, Environment, Grassroots, Health, Mentoring and Women & Girls.

Dragons centre Euan Aitken was awarded the Mark Coyne Trophy for career development to reflect his ongoing tertiary studies as he pursues a BA of Nutrition Science at the University of Wollongong.

National Youth Competition team second-rower Jacob Host was named the Paul McGregor NYC ‘Player of the Year’.

The Illawarra Cutters Players were also recognised on the evening with prop Russell Packer named the ‘Illawarra Coal Player of the Year’ whilst lock Sam Coster was awarded the ‘Illawarra Cutters Coaches’ Award.

Past Dragons ‘Player of the Year’ Medal Recipients

2014: Ben Creagh

2013: Trent Merrin

2012: Brett Morris

2011: Jason Nightingale

2010: Ben Creagh

2009: Ben Creagh

2008: Jason Ryles

2007: Ben Creagh

2006: Mark Gasnier & Jason Ryles

2005: Luke Bailey

2004: Mathew Head

2003: Ben Hornby

2002: Shaun Timmins

2001: Jason Ryles

2000: Trent Barrett

1999: Jamie Ainscough