Powerhouse Kiwi forward Jason Taumalolo was the runaway winner of the 2017 Kiwileaguecentral.com NZ Player of Year award, as voted by our fans over the 26 Rounds of the NRL season.
The Otahuhu Leopards junior was selected as one of the top four Kiwi performers in 16 out of a possible 22 weeks, claiming top honours on seven occasions, to cruise to victory 19 points ahead of nearest chasers, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Simon Mannering (29 points).
One year on from winning the Dally M Medal, 24-year-old Taumalolo has enjoyed another stellar season for the North Queensland Cowboys, averaging 203 metres per game along with 23 tackles.
Rounding out the top five in NZ Player of the Year voting was Manly enforcer Martin Taupau (28 points) and Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana (24 points).
Final 2017 NZ Player of the Year standings as voted by our fans
Jason Taumalolo – 48 points
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – 29 points
Simon Mannering – 29 points
Martin Taupau – 28 points
Jordan Rapana – 24 points
(Photo: cowboys.com.au).
