Tedesco Creates History with Fifth Consecutive Jack Gibson Medal

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Thu 15 Sep 2022, 09:52 PM

Sydney Roosters Captain James Tedesco has created history by becoming the first player to claim the Roosters’ most coveted award – the Jack Gibson Medal – for a record fifth time.

In each and every season in the Red, White and Blue since arriving at the Club in 2018, Tedesco has claimed the Jack Gibson Medal – usurping former player and coach Craig Fitzgibbon by becoming the sole player to be awarded on five consecutive occasions.

Season 2022 featured plenty of personal milestones for the courageous Captain, which included his 100th game for the Club, his 100th first-grade try as well as his 200th appearance in the NRL.

Just days prior, he became the first player to claim the Brad Fittler Medal as the NSW Blues’ Player of the Series for a third time, while also creating further history by making a clean sweep of awards that saw him take home the True Blue Award and The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award.

Throughout the season, Tedesco played in all but one of the Roosters’ 25 matches, scoring 13 tries, making 12 try assists and 17 linebreaks while averaging 212 metres per match, culminating in a competition-high 169 tackle breaks.

Sydney Roosters Members and supporters also considered Tedesco as the Roosters’ best of 2022 as he took home the Red Rooster Members Player of the Year Award, with Joseph Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves voted second and third place respectively.

Suaalii Claims Steggles Try of the Year and Harry Phipps Rising Star Award

Joseph Suaalii has claimed the Steggles Try of the Year for his sensational soaring effort against the Parramatta Eels in Magic Round, in what would eventually be the match-winning play for the Roosters in their 31-24 win.

In his second season in first grade, the 19-year-old has also been awarded the Harry Phipps Rising Star Award, which saw him play in 19 matches – including his first finals appearance – forming a strong combination on the right edge alongside fellow namesake Joseph Manu.

Suaalii finished 2022 by scoring 15 tries, making 16 linebreaks and 64 tackle breaks along with an impressive 138 running metres per game, which also saw him rewarded with selection in the NSW Blues’ squad throughout the 2022 State of Origin series.

Angus Crichton Wins Roosters Our Community Award

The Sydney Roosters’ 2022 Ken Stephen Medal nominee Angus Crichton has been awarded the Roosters Our Community Award for his selfless work in the Indigenous community.

Crichton has been instrumental in forging a relationship between the Sydney Roosters and Ronald McDonald House, which has seen him generously volunteer his time both in person and via FaceTime throughout periods of covid-19 protocols.

Passionate about proactively making a positive impact on the Indigenous Community, Crichton’s official charity – The First People Project – was launched to give young Indigenous boys a mentoring program whilst boarding in Sydney high schools.

An eager participant in all community-based initiatives and events, Crichton has also spent numerous hours embracing events such as Eastern Suburbs School Community Carnivals, the School to Work Campaign and Boots for Brighter Futures.

Manu Takes Out James Mathews Clubman of the Year

As voted by his peers, Joseph Manu has been awarded the James Mathews Clubman of the Year for 2022 for his extensive contributions both on and off the field throughout the year.

The 26-year-old centre was a key leader of the side in his seventh season at the Club, finding himself in numerous positions throughout the year while mentoring a number of younger squad members.

His leadership was on show as he forged a strong partnership with youngster Joseph Suaalii on the right edge, with the pair combining for 26 tries – nearly one-quarter of the Roosters’ total tally.

Manu made his presence known in all 24 regular season matches, juggling responsibilities across the field in the centres, at fullback and even at five-eighth, proving to be a threat with every run and consistently stringing together impressive performances.

Siua Wong Nets Chris Sykes Junior Representative Player of the Year Award

Young backrower Siua Wong has been awarded the Chris Sykes Junior Representative Player of the Year Award following his incredible meteoric rise in 2022.

Starting in the Club’s SG Ball (under 19s) team, Wong was instrumental in the side’s dominance throughout the season, which culminated in winning the Minor Premiership and reaching the 2022 SG Ball Grand Final.

Following the end of the junior representative season, Wong progressed to the Jersey Flegg Cup (under 21s), another side that claimed the Minor Premiership after a stellar season, before graduating to the North Sydney Bears NSW Cup team.

Despite still being in his teens, Wong stood up in the reserve grade competition, making 10 appearances – including the Bears’ two finals appearances - scoring three tries and averaging 113 metres per match.

Arthur Beetson Jersey Flegg Player of the Year Awarded to Jacob Preston

Captain Jacob Preston has taken home the Arthur Beetson Jersey Flegg Player of the Year Award for a stellar 2022 season.

The young second rower not only played a significant role in propelling the Jersey Flegg side to the Minor Premiership, with ten tries to his name but was also rewarded for his form with 12 matches in the NSW Cup for North Sydney, scoring seven tries and averaging 96 metres per game.

He will lead out the side this Saturday afternoon against the Penrith Panthers in their bid to become the first Sydney Roosters outfit to reach the Jersey Flegg Grand Final since 2004.

Club Physiotherapist Claims Barry Van Heekeran “Mocca” Award

Club Physiotherapist Adam Bentley has been awarded the Barry Van Heekeran “Mocca” Award for his tireless efforts throughout season 2022, which saw him go above and beyond in his duties of assisting in the performance and rehabilitation of the NRL squad.