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Kelly-Barnes Medallist, Joe Ofahengaue

Wests Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue has claimed the Kelly-Barnes Medal after being voted the club’s 2022 NRL Player of the Year.

Kelly-Barnes Medallist, Joe Ofahengaue
Kelly-Barnes Medallist, Joe Ofahengaue

Ofahengaue was a highly consistent performer across the season, and one of only two players to play all 24 games. 

Playing across a range of positions in the forwards, he averaged 64 minutes per game and ranked in the top 30 players in the competition for total run metres. Ofahengaue was equally effective without the ball, his 882 tackles placing him in the top ten defenders in the league.

The award was presented just hours after the club announced that Ofahengaue had signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him at Wests Tigers until at least the end of 2025.

Last season’s joint winner of the Kelly-Barnes Medal, Daine Laurie, was voted by his teammates as the club’s Players’ Player for 2022.

Daine Laurie, Joe Ofahengaue and Fonua Pole
Daine Laurie, Joe Ofahengaue and Fonua Pole

Laurie enjoyed a stellar start to the season, setting up five tries in his first six appearances.

He suffered a MCL injury in Wests Tigers’ victory over the Rabbitohs in Round 7, but returned in style by registering two try assists and two line breaks in Round 12.

2022 Players' Player Daine Laurie
2022 Players' Player Daine Laurie

He ended the season with an average of 120 running metres per game and a total of 77 tackle busts, placing him in the top 25 players in the competition.

Daine Laurie and event MC Sam Squires
Daine Laurie and event MC Sam Squires

The Rookie of the Year Award went to Fonua Pole who didn’t miss a game after making his NRL debut against the Warriors in Round 16.

2022 Rookie of the Year Fonua Pole
2022 Rookie of the Year Fonua Pole

The club’s nominee for the 2022 Ken Stephen Medal, Luke Garner, was recognised for his outstanding community work with the Wayne Pearce Community Award.

Wayne Pearce Community Award winner Luke Garner
Wayne Pearce Community Award winner Luke Garner

Thomas Freebairn was named Player of the Year in the NSW Cup, capping a stellar season which saw him make his NRL debut in Round 21 against Newcastle.

NSW Cup Player of the Year Thomas Freebairn
NSW Cup Player of the Year Thomas Freebairn

Explosive outside back Junior Pauga – who made his NRL debut last season - was voted as the NSW Cup team’s Players’ Player for 2022.

In the Jersey Flegg Cup, James Valevatu was named the Player of the Year while Tray Lolesio picked up the Players’ Player Award.

Najvada George was named Player of the Year for our premiership-winning Harvey Norman Women’s side, with Keele Browne voted the Players’ Player.

Botille Vette-Welsh presents Najvada George with HNW Player of the Year Award
Botille Vette-Welsh presents Najvada George with HNW Player of the Year Award

Head of Pathways Matthew Betsey and Head of Fan Engagement Rachel Cummins were the joint-winners of the Club Person of the Year Award - both deserved winners for their outstanding commitment and contributions to Wests Tigers.

Harvey Norman Women’s Team Manager Jess Schwartz was named Wests Tigers Woman of the Year for the outstanding work she has done for the women’s game in 2022.

Tim Sheens with new Life Member Scott Prince
Tim Sheens with new Life Member Scott Prince

The club also inducted four new Wests Tigers Life Members, including 2005 premiership heroes Scott Prince and Pat Richards, former Club Person of the Year Paul Tape, and long-time gear steward, Vincent Marando.

Wests Tigers 2022 Kelly-Barnes Awards

Kelly-Barnes Medal — Joe Ofahengaue

NRL Players’ Player — Daine Laurie

NRL Rookie of the Year — Fonua Pole

NSW Cup Player of the Year — Tom Freebairn

NSW Cup Players’ Player — Junior Pauga

Jersey Flegg Player of the Year — James Valevatu

Jersey Flegg Players’ Player — Tray Lolesio      

NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year — Najvada George

NSW Women’s Premiership Players’ Player — Keele Browne

Wayne Pearce Community Award — Luke Garner

Wests Tigers Club Person of the Year — Rachel Cummins & Matt Betsey

Wests Tigers Woman of the Year — Jess Schwartz

Western Suburbs Magpies premiership-winning Harold Matthews team
Western Suburbs Magpies premiership-winning Harold Matthews team

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe has extended his congratulations to all award winners, and all involved with the club in 2022.

“It’s been a difficult season but we cannot ignore that last night’s awards are there to celebrate individual performances across all age groups, as well as celebrate the success of our Premiership-winning Harold Matts team and Harvey Norman team.

Well done to all the award winners, and particularly to Joe on taking out the Kelly-Barnes Medal.

Wests Tigers CEO, Justin Pascoe

“We have made a lot of progress in many areas of the business, but we must continue to strive to be the best we can be both on and off the field in 2023 and beyond.

"Last night represented a closing of one chapter and new beginning for the club.

“To those leaving the club, I want to thank each of you for your contributions, hard work and commitment to this club and wish you the very best of luck with your future pursuits.

"I also want to extend my thanks to all the Wests Tigers staff, volunteers and interns who work so hard day in day out, week in week out for this club.”

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Wests Tigers respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.