ST GEORGE Illawarra star Tyson Frizell has capped a remarkable 2016 season by picking up the club’s Player of the Year award on Friday night.
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In an otherwise forgettable season for the Dragons, Frizell proved the shining light for the red v faithful forcing his way into the NSW side and earning his first call-up to the Australian Test side for the upcoming Four Nations campaign.
After spending two seasons on the fringe of Origin selection, Frizell was initially overlooked for game one this season before being a late call-up to replace the suspended Wade Graham for Origin II.
He produced one of the great Origin debuts and backed it up in game three and was a leading contender for the Brad Fittler Medal despite playing in just two of the three games.
Positives were much harder to find at club level as the Dragons missed the finals for the fourth time in five seasons but the 24-year-old still described his decision to sign a three-year contract extension as an easy one.
“It was an easy decision for me to make being a local junior [Corrimal Cougars] and playing for the club these past four seasons so when the opportunity arose I was more than happy to extend my contract,” Frizell said.
“I believe that the club is moving forward and I want to be a part of that so the option to prolong my career here was an easy choice to make. I grew up supporting the team so extending my stay has capped-off a highlight year which has provided me the opportunity to play State of Origin and now represent Australia.”
Frizell’s NSW and now Australian Test teammate Josh Dugan was the fan’s choice player of the year for his strong season despite battling a number of serious injuries.
Lock Jack de Belin was awarded the Dragons Immortals Trophy, as selected by the St George living Immortals while winger Jason Nightingale was honoured with the Geoff Selby Memorial Coach’s Award. Luciano Leilua was named the Paul McGregor NYC Player of the Year for his breakout season while Shannon Wakeman was named the Illawarra Coal Player of the Year following the Cutters Intrust Super double-crown .