For the third time in his Rugby League career, Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess has been named the best and fairest player for South Sydney when he was awarded the 2017 George Piggins Medal at the Red and Green Ball at the International Convention Centre in Sydney tonight (Friday).
By winning his third George Piggins Medal, Burgess is now level with teammate and back row partner John Sutton who has also won the prestigious award on three occasions in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
The medal marks Burgess’ 12th Rabbitohs award since making his debut for the Club in 2010.
Burgess had a stand out season in 2017, playing 21 games in the red and green and taking over the captaincy role following the injury to Greg Inglis.
Burgess recorded a massive 703 tackles throughout his 21 game season and he offloaded 35 times. Both were ranked the highest amongst his teammates with his run metres of 2988 also coming in at number one. He made 339 runs in his 1469 minutes of play and got over the line on five occasions, finishing up the season with 20 points to his name.
The Best and Fairest award at the Rabbitohs is named after Club legend, George Piggins. Piggins was not only a premiership-winning and international player, he was also a celebrated coach and official with the Club over a 40-year period. He was also one of the leading figures in the Club’s fight for re-instatement to the elite Rugby League competition in the early 2000s.
Sam was presented the George Piggins Medal by Rabbitohs Head Coach Anthony Seibold at tonight’s awards ceremony.
Congratulations Sam on winning your third George Piggins Medal!
Previous Winners:
2003 – Bryan Fletcher
2004 – Ashley Harrison
2005 – Peter Cusack
2006 – David Fa’alogo
2007 – Roy Asotasi
2008 – Luke Stuart
2009 – John Sutton
2010 – Issac Luke
2011 – Nathan Merritt
2012 – John Sutton
2013 – Greg Inglis & John Sutton
2014 – Sam Burgess
2015 – Greg Inglis
2016 – Sam Burgess
