Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has won one of the most prestigious awards at the South Sydney Football Club for season 2022, being presented with the Jack Rayner Players’ Player award at tonight’s (Saturday’s) Red and Green Ball.
Graham has been judged by his peers as the season’s best player, recognition held dear by any sportsperson as it is awarded by their team mates.
Graham is touted by many pundits as the best defensive centre in the game. Known as ‘Stretch’, he has won this award having only played in two-thirds of the regular season games due to facial and thumb injuries during the season.
Graham has scored five tries so far this season and has had eight try assists and eight line breaks. He has made over 300 tackles and run for almost 2400 metres at an average of 140 metres per game.
He is ‘Mr Reliable’ in the Rabbitohs backline, playing left or right side centre, and has become one of the best players not only at the Club, but also in his position across the NRL.
Graham was presented with his award by the Rabbitohs’ most capped player of all time and former team mate, John Sutton. Players all register a vote as to who they thought was the game’s best after each regular season match, with this year’s award coming down to the wire between Graham, captain Cameron Murray and front rower Junior Tatola.
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.
Congratulations to Campbell Graham on winning this season’s Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award.
Previous Winners:
2021 Cody Walker
2020 Cody Walker
2019 Cameron Murray
2018 Sam Burgess
2017 Angus Crichton
2016 Sam Burgess
2015 Greg Inglis
2014 Sam Burgess
2013 Sam Burgess
2012 Greg Inglis
2011 Chris Sandow
2010 Sam Burgess
2009 Luke Stuart
2008 Luke Stuart
Nathan Merritt
2007 Roy Asotasi
2006 Nathan Merritt
2005 Peter Cusack
2004 Ashley Harrison
2003 Luke Stuart
2002 Paul Stringer
Scott Geddes
