FNQRL Gold Medal: Every winner revealed
The most decorated rugby league player to lace up his boots in the FNQRL has claimed the league’s most prestigious honour ina landslide. SEE THE WINNERS >
The most decorated rugby league player to lace up his boots in the FNQRL has claimed the league’s most prestigious honour, with Mossman-Port Douglas five-eighth Ben Barba crowned the best player of 2023.
Barba brought his 202 games of NRL and Super League experience to the Far North this season, linking with the Sharks to spearhead their assault on the premiership.
And while that dream was crushed in an elimination final loss two weeks ago, Barba played a key role in leading the Sharks to the finals.
The former Dally M and Man of Steel winner was always expected to make a major impact on the league and he did so from the outset.
The fleet-footed, agile and pacey playmaker showcased every bit of skill which took him to the heights of the NRL and Super League, and made him a human highlight reel during his decade across both elite competitions.
Barba all but had the honour wrapped up by round 12, with the playmaker jagging more than double the votes of his nearest rival.
The 2016 NRL premiership winner with Cronulla not only produced at a high level for his FNQRL club, but steered Cairns to their first Foley Shield success in years.
With the ability to turn a game on its head with his trademark turn of pace and tendency to break tackles with ease, Barba was easily among the key players in the FNQRL throughout 2023.
Barba beat fellow former NRL star and Ivanhoes marquee signing Josh Dugan, Brothers centre Falcon Peni, Mareeba young gun Trezman Banjo and Yarrabah star Zac Mossman to the honour, which was presented at the FNQRL night of nights at Brothers Leagues Club on Friday night.
Kangaroos star Genavie Tabuai was named the Rebecca Bowie Award winner for the best women’s player this season, pipping Mossman’s Chenoa Ryan and Atherton’s Teesha Potts for the honour.
THE WINNERS
Gold Medal - Male Player of the Year
Ben Barba (Mossman) - 27 votes
Trezman Banjo (Mareeba) - 18 votes
Josh Dugan (Ivanhoes) - 18 votes
Aidan Day (Kangaroos) - 16 votes
Zac Mossman (Yarrabah) - 16 votes
Falcon Peni (Brothers) - 15 votes
James Clark (Innisfail) - 14 votes
Dennis Tomarchio (Brothers) - 14 votes
Theo Majid (Kangaroos) - 11 votes
Jyde Dwyer (Atherton) - 10 votes
Baptiste Fabre (Tully) - 10 votes
Rebecca Bowie Award - Women’s Player of the Year
Genavie Tabuai (Kangaroos) - 8 votes
Chenoa Ryan (Mossman) - 6 votes
Teesha Potts (Atherton) - 6 votes
Agnes Solomon (Edmonton) - 5 votes
Mackenzie Stephens (Atherton) - 5 votes
Martha Nomoa (Edmonton) - 5 votes
Jack Seary Shield - Club champions
Ivanhoes
Tom Tassell Memorial Award - Male Rookie of the Year
Gabriel Tunimakubu (Mareeba)
Deb Gallop Award - Female Rookie of the Year
Mackenzie Stephens (Atherton)
Reserve Grade Best and Faires - Lionel Williamson Award
Jordon Ketchell (Tully), Justin Torney (Ivanhoes) and Oswald Fourmile (Yarrabah)
U18s Player of the Year - Moore Family Award
Tyrone Williams (Mareeba)
FNQRL (Eacham) U16 Player of the Year
D’Wan Walker (Malanda)
FNQRL (Coast) U16 Player of the Year
Cayde Miller (Mareeba)
Coach of the Year
Leon Hallie (Innisfail)
Referee of the Year
Guy Millar
Volunteer of the Year
Charlee Rose Paron (Southern Suburbs)
Young Volunteer of the Year
Alfonse Bulkua (Ivanhoes)
Gold Medal nominees
AIDAN DAY (Kangaroos)
The leader of the Kangaroos pack, Day showed there is plenty of life left in the veteran warhorse with an outstanding season.
Battled through injury in the latter half of the campaign but was still among the best and most reliable front-rowers in the league.
Rewarded for his form with selection in the Cairns Foley Shield side, where he was named player of the tournament.
BAPTISTE FABRE (Tully)
It was a short stay but one where the Frenchman made a massive impact at Tully.
Fabre showed every bit of class and silky skill which attracted the interest of Brisbane Tigers, with his vision and pinpoint kicking game lifting Tully to another level throughout his tenure in FNQ.
BEN BARBA (Mossman-Port Douglas)
The former Dally M Medal and Man of Steel winner was always expected to make an impact in his first season in the FNQRL and Barba did not disappoint.
HIs lightning acceleration and evasiveness with the footy has always been a highlight, and it tore rival defences apart, while his kicking game and ability to create something out of nothing kept Mossman-Port Douglas in plenty of contests.
Rewarded for his form with selection in the Cairns Foley Shield side.
DENNIS TOMARCHIO (Brothers)
A consistent, underrated workhorse in the Brothers pack, Tomarchio is the one of the senior figures at Brothers who has ensured the side stay the course in their premiership defence.
Always one to roll up the sleeves, Tomarchio is as consistent as they come and a crucial cog in the Brothers’ machine.
FALCON PENI (Brothers)
The loyal Brothers man was again an important piece in Brothers’ attacking arsenal while maintaining his place as a quality defender.
He’s tough, evasive, a handy goalkicker and a player who can do anything.
Peni showcased his versatility through 2023 by returning to his roots at hooker for the triumphant Cairns Foley Shield, and five-eighth in Brothers’ hour of need.
JAMES CLARK (Innisfail)
Clark was at his damaging best in his first season at the Leprechauns.
A welcome addition to arguably the best forward pack in the league, Clark’s toughness and penchant for hard work made him a key part of the club’s dominance.
Surprisingly the only Leprechaun in the top 11.
JOSH DUGAN (Ivanhoes)
The marquee man at Ivanhoes has brought the speed, strength and toughness which served him so well during his NRL career.
The former NSW Blues start has slotted in at fullback for Ivanhoes and played a major role in the fluidity of the Knights’ attack, and helped to elevate some of the club’s rising stars.
Add to that his 12 tries, countless assists and 39 goals, Dugan has lived up to his marquee status.
JYDE DWYER (Atherton)
Another underrated and damaging forward, Dwyer was a dominant member of the Atherton pack in what was a tough season for the Roosters.
Tough to put down, Dwyer’s strength and physicality were his best attributes, and he left plenty battered and bruised from his big hits.
THEO MAJID (Kangaroos)
The man at the wheel as Kangaroos made a play at the finals, Majid stepped up when his team needed him to deliver them to the post-season.
Injuries to his halves partners essentially made him the chief conductor at Kangaroos, and he put the team on his back to lead them to victory in their best A-grade campaign in years.
TREZMAN BANJO (Mareeba)
The electrifying Banjo put his hand up to switch to the halves and the 2021 Rookie of the Year delivered in spades.
A dual code talent, Banjo can create magic from nothing with his speed, agility and flair, and so often came up with plays to put Mareeba on top.
The poster boy for the exciting young Gladiators who charged to the finals.
ZAC MOSSMAN (Yarrabah)
Started the season in imperious form for a Yarrabah outfit which showed plenty of form to be among the contenders.
Mossman scored plenty of tries, set up more, and was a genuine game-changer when Yarrabah enjoyed its best success.
Rewarded for his form with selection in the Cairns Foley Shield side.
AWARD FINALISTS
Female Player of the Year - Rebecca Bowie Award
Agnes Solomon (Edmonton)
Chenoa Ryan (Mossman)
Genavie Tabuai (Kangaroos)
Mackenzie Stephens (Atherton)
Martha Nomoa (Edmonton)
Teesha Potts (Atherton)
Male Rookie of the Year - Tom Tassell Memorial Award
Brenton Miller (Suburbs)
Cohen Emmi (Tully)
Colby Aldridge (Innisfail)
Gabriel Tunimakubu (Mareeba)
Jarvis Connolly (Yarrabah)
Joseph Pearson (Kangaroos)
Lewis Miles (Ivanhoes)
Paiwan Sabadi (Brothers)
Sean Pyne (Edmonton)
Tate Coghlan (Atherton)
Female Rookie of the Year - Deb Gallop Award
Khandra Stafford (Yarrabah)
Layla Geck (Ivanhoes)
Mackenzie Stephens (Atherton)
Nancy Matthew (Kangaroos)
Tamzin Muriata (Tully)
Coach of the Year
Chairman’s Award
Referee of the Year
FNQ RL (Coast) U16 Player of the Year
Ben Walker (Innisfail)
Cayde Miller (Mareeba)
Clarence Savage (Redlynch)
FNQ RL (Eacham) U16 Player of the Year
Caden Burrell (Atherton)
D’Wan Walker (Malanda)
Laine Armstrong (Ravenshoe)
U18 Player of the Year Moore Family
Apaga Waianga (Ivanhoes)
McFarlane Misi (Kangaroos)
Tait Coghlan (Atherton)
Tyrone Williams (Mareeba)
Reserve Grade Best & Fairest - Lionel Williamson Medal
Aiden Deemal (Mossman)
Gandy Buie (Edmonton)
Jezareel Heron Jia (Innisfail)
Jordon Ketchell (Tully)
Justin Torney (Ivanhoes)
Oswald Fourmile (Yarrabah)
Club Champions - Jack Seary Shield
Leading Try Scorer (PCQ Cairns Award)
Matthew Gibuma (Ivanhoes)
Abraham Waireg-Ingui (Innisfail)
Young Volunteer of the Year
Alfonse Bulkua (Ivanhoes)
Kyan Sheppard (Mareeba)
Tristan Murgha (FNQ Officiating)
Volunteer of the Yerar (Ron Ambrum Award)
Aaron Lloyd (Ivanhoes)
Alan Bain (FNQ Officiating)
Bernard Sabadi (Brothers Juniors)
Chantal Kleemann (Herberton)
Charlee Rose Paron (Suburbs Seniors)
Christine Ryan (Kangaroos Juniors)
Darryl Day (Atherton Seniors)
James Hannan (Edmonton)
More Coverage
John Arcidiacono (Mareeba)
Sonny Samuel (Brothers Juniors)
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as FNQRL Gold Medal: Every winner revealed
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