Warwick Cowboys prop leads the race for TRL’s Webcke Price Medal

At the halfway point of the A-grade men’s rugby league season the race for the Webcke Price Medal is heating up. Here’s our look at the leading contenders for the top men’s player award.

Luke Self is Gatton’s leading contender in the race for the Webcke Price Medal. Picture: Nev Madsen.

With round 9 marking the halfway point of the TRL Hutchinson Builders A-grade season it is fitting that two forwards are leading the Webcke Price Medal charge.

Named after legendary NRL, Origin and Australian props Shane Webcke and Steve Price – the medal honours the competition’s top male player of the season.

Warwick Cowboys lock Mitch Wilson currently leads the medal count with Pittsworth Danes lock Blake Cullen a close third on 10.

With the help of TRL media personality Andrew O’Brien The Chronicle is running is the rule over the top Webcke Price contenders after round 8.

Josh Chappell is one of several Dalby Diehards in the hunt for the Webcke Price Medal. Picture: Contributed

CONTENDERS

Luke Self (Gatton Hawks), Josh Chappell (Dalby Diehards), Caleb Murphy (Warwick Cowboys) and Blake Mara (Dalby Diehards) all share fifth spot with seven points.

Cowboys halfback Murphy is the current leading points scorer with 96.

4. Lachlan Watt – Newtown Lions

Points tally: 8

Position: Five-eighth

Key stats: 5 tries, 56 points

O’Brien: Forget about where his team is on the ladder, Lachlan is the form five-eighth of the competition right now. He scored two great solo tries at the weekend and his form is a credit to how good a player he is.

3. Blake Cullen – Pittsworth Danes

Points tally: 10

Position: Lock

O’Brien: You have to note that Blake has picked up his 10 points from just six games because he’s been part of the Western Clydesdales a few times this season. He has been hampered by a few injuries in the past but now that he’s fit, he’s incredibly fit which is a testament to his work as a PT, you can see exactly what he’s capable of. Blake and Nicholas Nairn drive that team forward every week.

Blake Cullen (pictured in action for the Western Mustangs in 2019) has been a key player for Pittsworth Danes this year.

2. Tony Clevin – Brothers

Points tally: 11

Position: Fullback

Key stats: 4 tries, 56 points

O’Brien: Tony can turn defence into attack in the blink of eye. One of the things he does really well is hide in games, he hides and then pops up exactly where he needs to be in attack – he finds his spots really well. He’s been around for a while but I think he’s having the best season of his career this year.

1. Mitch Wilson – Warwick Cowboys

Points tally: 12

Position: Lock

O’Brien: Mitch’s performances have probably gone unnoticed over the last few seasons because of how well Warwick have been as a team. One of the big things (Warwick) coach Colin Speed has done the past few seasons is work on Warwick’s defence. Mitch has been at the front of that (defensive) work. The way Mitch and Byron Crieghton work together defensively is quite impressive and it’s a big part of their success this season.