Young, livewire Rabbitoh Blake Taaffe has capped off an impressive first season in the NRL by winning the John Sattler Rookie of the Year award for 2021.
Taaffe, who made his first grade debut against the Brisbane Broncos in round 15, went to play in eight matches throughout his first season in the top grade, including wearing the fullback jersey in the 2021 Grand Final.
The La Perouse Panthers junior one tries and kicked six goals in his eight NRL games in his rookie season, also recording five try assists, six line break assists and an average of 111 running metres per game.
Taaffe, who moves into the Rabbitohs top 30 squad in 2022 under incoming Head Coach Jason Demetriou, joined fellow young guns Lachlan Ilias, Peter Mamouzelos, Davvy Moale and Dean Hawkins in making their first grade debuts for South Sydney this year.
Taaffe received the John Sattler Rookie of the Year award from Rabbitohs Assistant Coach Ben Hornby at the event on the Gold Coast, which was presented by the President of Souths Juniors, Keith McCraw, from Sydney.
The Rookie of the Year award is named after Rabbitohs legend, John Sattler, who famously led the Rabbitohs into battle in the 1960s and 1970s. He had his jaw shattered in the opening minutes of the 1970 Grand Final, going on to play the rest of the game in a performance that has been written into Rugby League folklore.
Congratulations to Blake Taaffe on being awarded the 2021 John Sattler Rookie of the Year accolade.
Previous Winners:
2020 – Keaon Koloamatangi
2019 – Corey Allan
2018 – Adam Doueihi
2017 – Cameron Murray
2016 – Cody Walker
2015 – Chris Grevsmuhl
2014 – Alex Johnston
2013 – Dylan Walker
2012 – Adam Reynolds
2011 – Nathan Peats
2010 – Dylan Farrell
2009 – David Tyrrell
2008 – Chris Sandow
2007 – Issac Luke
2006 – Germaine Paulson
2005 – Manase Manuokafoa and Yileen Gordon
2004 – Joe Williams
2003 – Mark Minichiello
2002 – Scott Geddes
