Canberra Raiders forward Joseph Tapine has capped off a huge 2022 season, by winning his first Meninga Medal as the club’s best player this season.
Tapine’s win in this year’s count was emphatic, with the New Zealand international securing 44 points in the final tally, 22 points clear of 2020 Meninga Medal winner Jack Wighton in second place who finished with 22 votes.
Tapine: It means a lot
Hudson Young took home the NRL Coaches’ award for the season, with the dynamic Raiders back rower also securing 19 points to finish third in the Meninga Medal tally.
After starting the season at halfback for the injured Jamal Fogarty, Brad Schneider was named the Raiders rookie of the year for 2022, after playing 11 matches in his first full season in the NRL after making his debut last year in one appearance.
This year’s rookie of the year held extra significance, as the award was renamed the Peter Mulholland rookie of the year, as a mark of respect for the club’s former Head of Recruitment and Development Peter Mulholland, who sadly passed away late last year.
It was also a first for the Fred Daly Club Person of the year, with Kate Gallegos named the first female winner of the award in club history. Kate, who has worked tirelessly for the club since 2007 as Sponsorship Manager, secured the award for her continued hard work and effort across the Canberra Raiders club.
Earlier in the evening the club paid tribute to the late Chairman Dr Allan Hawke AC, with a moving tribute to open the event, with the Raiders NRL squad and staff also attending his memorial service earlier in the day to form a guard of honour in respect for Dr Hawke.
There was also a special presentation during the night when Monsignor John Woods became just the 10th official life member in club history, for his contribution to the club as Chaplain and pastoral mentor, a role he’s held since 1986.
In the Canberra Raiders lower grade awards the NSW Cup player’s player was awarded to Peter Hola, with Ata Mariota taking home the coaches’ award. Jersey Flegg player of the year was Steven Numambo, with Loghan Lewis winning the coaches’ award.
The Geoff Caldwell welfare and education award went to Harley Smith-Shields, with the club’s Gordon McLucas Junior Representative player of the year awarded to Michael Asomua, who represented the NSW under 19’s this season.
2022 Meninga Medal Winners
Meninga Medal – Joseph Tapine
Meninga Medal Top Five
44 – Joseph Tapine
22 – Jack Wighton
19 – Hudson Young
14 – Adam Elliott
13 – Josh Papalii
NRL Coaches’ award – Hudson Young
Peter Mulholland NRL Rookie of the Year – Brad Schneider
Fred Daly Club Person of the Year – Kate Gallegos
Geoff Caldwell Welfare & Education award – Harley Smith-Shields
Gordon McLucas Junior Representative of the Year – Michael Asomua
NSW Cup Player of the Year – Peter Hola
NSW Cup Coaches’ award – Ata Mariota
Jersey Flegg Player of the Year – Steven Numambo
Jersey Flegg Coaches’ award – Loghan Lewis
