Sam Burgess has been judged by his fellow team mates as the best player of season 2016, taking out the Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award in 2016, the fourth time in his career that he has won this prestigious award.
During 23 appearances in his return to the code after a short switch to rugby union, Burgess tallied a total of 399 runs in the 2016 season which was recorded as the third highest across the NRL. He made the fifth highest amount of offloads totalling 49 for the season and topped the Rabbitohs’ statistics with an impressive 1170.6 post contact metres.
The Players’ Player award is named after legendary Rabbitohs player and coach, Jack Rayner. Rayner won five Premierships with South Sydney in six seasons in the Club’s golden era between 1950 and 1955, as both Captain and Captain/Coach. His legacy at the Rabbitohs lives on to this day, remembered as an honest, tough, hardworking forward during the days when some of the most brutal Rugby League was played.
Burgess was presented the award by Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson alongside Paul Dunbavin and Brett Chaloner from the 2nd Commando Regiment on behalf of the Rayner family.
Congratulations to Sam Burgess for claiming the fourth Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award of his career.
Previous Winners:
2003 – Luke Stuart
2004 – Ashley Harrison
2005 – Peter Cusack
2006 – Nathan Merritt
2007 – Roy Asotasi
2008 – Luke Stuart and Nathan Merritt
2009 – Luke Stuart
2010 – Sam Burgess
2011 – Chris Sandow
2012 – Greg Inglis
2013 - Sam Burgess
2014 – Sam Burgess
2015 – Greg Inglis
Previous Awards Tonight:
Clark Wins 2016 Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year Award
Walker Collects 2016 John Sattler Rookie of the Year Award
Walker Proves to be Members’ Choice
Turner is The Burrow’s Favourite
Tooheys New Fan Player of the Year
Sands Wins NYC Best and Fairest Award
Sands Takes Out NYC Players’ Player Award for 2016
