Titans captain Ryan James named Gold Coast player of the year, AJ Brimson wins rookie of the year
TITANS captain Ryan James has put aside his NSW State of Origin heartbreak to win the Gold Coast’s player of the year award for the second time in three years.
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TITANS captain Ryan James has put aside his State of Origin heartbreak to win the Gold Coast’s player of the year award for the second time.
James on Wednesday night capped off a consistent season by claiming the Paul Broughton Medal for the second time in three years.
The 27-year-old prop joined former NSW Origin warhorse Luke Bailey as the only multiple winners of the award.
James edged out Broncos recruit Jai Arrow by one vote after the Queensland Origin forward failed to poll in the final seven rounds of the season.
James only missed one game throughout the season and averaged a staggering 74 minutes a week playing in the front row.
In his second season as captain, James scored six tries and racked up an average of 106m and 34 tackles a game.
Arrow, 23, burst out of the blocks in his debut season at the Titans and looked to have the gong wrapped up after polling 22 votes.
However the rigours of his first full season in the NRL, coupled with his high-intensity efforts, sapped his form in the back end of the year.
James was on the cusp of a NSW Origin debut twice this year.
He was originally picked in Brad Fittler’s new-look squad for Origin I, only for the Blues coach to backflip on the decision while James was packing his bags to head into camp.
James eventually joined the NSW camp later in the series, but failed to play a game as the Blues won 2-1.
Consistent fullback Michael Gordon claimed the coaches’ award for his solid performances throughout the season.
Teenage sensation AJ Brimson was the expected winner of the rookie of the year award after his breakout season.
Brimson, 19, played 15 games and starred at five-eighth and fullback to prove he has a bright future in the NRL.
The Titans faded badly in the back end of the season to finish 14th, but James said there was a bright future on the Gold Coast.
“We’re getting towards a pretty young and exciting squad, there is a lot to look forward to next year,” he said.
“The young fellas that have come through our junior ranks has been a positive. AJ has been playing excellent, Moeaki (Fotuaika), Phillip Sami.
“We’ve got a lot of local juniors wanting to pull on the jersey for the club and come back and play for the club.
“It’s great signs. The club is building towards something we used to have.
“Hopefully next year, with the team we’re building, we can get some more bums on seats as well.”
PAUL BROUGHTON MEDAL WINNERS
2018 — Ryan James
2017 — Anthony Don
2016 — Ryan James
2015 — Luke Bailey
2014 — Beau Falloon
2013 — Greg Bird
2012 — Nate Myles
2011 — Luke Bailey
2010 — Luke Bailey
2009 — Nathan Friend
2008 — Preston Campbell
2007 — Luke Bailey & Anthony Laffranchi (joint winners)
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