COMMENT
The 2019 NRL season is over. After all the ups and downs, the big hits and the controversial calls, it was the Sydney Roosters who became the first side since the Broncos of 1992-93 to win back-to-back Grand Finals, beating the Canberra Raiders 14-8 on Sunday. This week, sports reporter David Beck has taken a look back at the season that was and handed out his 2019 NRL awards. From the best player in the competition to the most outrageous moment, here is who made the cut.
Player of the Year
I'll start with the easiest one. Roosters fullback James Tedesco seems to get better every year and in 2019 he has been at the peak of his powers. His season included a State of Origin win with New South Wales - in which he was named player of the series, a second consecutive NRL title with the Roosters and the Dally M Medal for NRL Player of the Year. It was not simply a case of being a passenger on the best teams, with his electric pace, deceptive strength and tackle-breaking ability, Tedesco consistently stood up when it mattered. In the NRL this year, he scored 18 tries - including the match winner in the Grand Final, made 23 line breaks and broke 166 tackles.
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Rookie of the Year
Few players have made the step up to NRL look as easy as Payne Haas did for the Brisbane Broncos this year. At 194cm and 119kg, the 19-year-old has all the ingredients of a barnstorming front rower but it still takes exceptional talent to turn that potential to reality. I'm a dedicated Fantasy NRL player and never have I seen a player go from base price rookie to must-have in such a short period of time. Haas averaged 70 post contact metres, 21 tackles and 4.9 tackle breaks per game in 2019.