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August 31, 2026 \u2014 10:30pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Nathan Cleary collected his second Brad Fittler Medal on Monday night for his inspirational efforts during NSW\u2019s come-from-behind Origin series victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n After watching his younger brother Jett make his NRL debut<\/a> for the Warriors on Sunday, Cleary\u2019s celebrations continued back in Sydney, where he was joined by some of the biggest stars in the game, as well as coach Laurie Daley and his successor as Blues coach, Matt King<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Penrith halfback won his first Brad Fittler Medal, awarded to NSW\u2019s player of the series, in 2020. This year\u2019s gong could well turn out to be the second leg of a medal treble after Cleary was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for the best player from either state during NSW\u2019s 2-1 series triumph.<\/p>\n Cleary is also a leading contender for the Dally M, the winner of which is named in grand final week. If all goes to plan, a fifth premiership with the Panthers could even follow.<\/p>\n James Tedesco achieved that feat in his all-conquering 2019 season, when he steered the Blues to Origin glory, won the Wally Lewis, Dally M, and helped the Roosters to the premiership.<\/p>\n Standing on stage at The Star, Cleary said: \u201cThe first game was pretty epic, the second a disaster and the third a dream come true. I still have to pinch myself, and it\u2019s lifelong memories you never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n Back-rower Yasmin Meakes was named NSW\u2019s Women\u2019s Origin Player of the Series.<\/p>\n After a match-winning performance in game one, Cleary produced one of his worst defensive efforts in the second half of the game two loss in Melbourne, but bounced back to deliver a phenomenal display<\/a> in the decider at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n The winners …<\/p>\n 2026 BRAD FITTLER MEDAL AWARD WINNERS<\/p>\n Brad Fittler Medal (presented by Westpac): Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)<\/p>\n True Blue Award (presented by Westpac): Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)<\/p>\n The Daily Telegraph People\u2019s Choice Award: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos)<\/p>\n NSW Blues Women\u2019s State of Origin Player of the Year (presented by Westpac): Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights)<\/p>\n NSW Blues Women\u2019s Award (presented by Westpac): Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)<\/p>\n NSW Under 19s State of Origin Player of the Match (presented by GIO): Diesel Hagan (Newcastle Knights)<\/p>\n NSW Under 19s Women\u2019s State of Origin Player of the Match (presented by Westpac): Anastasia Leatupue (Sydney Roosters)<\/p>\n The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year (presented by Transport for NSW): Jaxen Edgar (Penrith Panthers)<\/p>\n NSW Women\u2019s Premiership Player of the Year: Charley Lahmert (Newcastle Knights)<\/p>\n Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Eden Hodges (St George Illawarra Dragons)<\/p>\n Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Player of the Year (presented by Leagues Clubs Australia): Joe Lovodua (Ryde-Eastwood Hawks)<\/p>\n Sydney Shield Player of the Year: Ryan Jeffery (Mounties)<\/p>\n Men\u2019s Country Championship Player of the Year: Luke Huth (Newcastle Rebels)<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Country Championship Player of the Year: Jayda Cohen (Northern Tigers)<\/p>\n Tom Nelson Medal for SLE Laurie Daley Cup Player of the Year: Cohen Aitken (Northern Rivers Titans)<\/p>\n Ron Lanesbury Medal for SLE Andrew Johns Cup Player of the Year: Joel Trevethan (Monaro Colts)<\/p>\n Grade Referee of the Year (presented by McDonald\u2019s): Kieren Irons<\/p>\n Junior Representative Referee of the Year (presented by McDonald\u2019s): Liam O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n Ray Stellar Club Person of the Year (presented by Hyundai): Nyke \u201cAaron\u201d Zammit (Glebe Dirty Reds) and Mark Madden (North Sydney Bears)<\/p>\n Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award (presented by Westpac): Kevin Whitford (Milton Ulladulla)<\/p>\n The 28-year-old finished the series with three tries, three try assists, two line breaks, five tackle busts and 60 average running metres.<\/p>\n Speaking in the sheds after the Origin III win, Cleary said: \u201cThis is really nice, I\u2019ll enjoy this moment with such a special group, but it doesn\u2019t mean anything really. I want to keep getting better and keep going.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat drives me every day is to get the most out of my potential.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said, rugby league is a game you never complete, there are always areas you can get better at, always games you play bad, then you play good, it\u2019s up and down. It keeps bringing us back. I\u2019ll keep riding that journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Back-rower Hudson Young collected his first True Blue Award, awarded to the player who embodies the team\u2019s core values of trust, resilience, and culture.<\/p>\n Related Article The Canberra hitman had a strong series after scoring two tries, running for an average of 117 metres and bending his back for 115 tackles.<\/p>\n NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden praised outgoing coach Daley and took one final aim at the \u201cridiculous criticism that came his way this year, and [that Daley] protected his team from it\u201d.<\/p>\n Meakes was excellent for the womens\u2019 team during their historic 3-0 series clean sweep. She played every minute of all three games, made five tackle busts, five offloads, ran for 69m, and made 79 tackles including a try-saver in Game One in Newcastle.<\/p>\n The Brad Fittler Medal was first presented in 2005, with winners including King (2005), Steve Menzies (2006), Danny Buderus (2008), Paul Gallen (2011), James Tedesco (2018-19, 22), Tom Trbojevic (2021), and Brian To\u2019o (2023, 2025).<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Laurie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b7124a6060ac6688f2aba21eaa812a6a5062c286.jpeg\")
Laurie Daley gives Nathan Cleary one last hug before parting company at Sydney airport after the Origin series win.Steven Siewert<\/p>\n![\"Nathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6d30a5bb49a75db6481c8a40edd2f8d03179780d.jpeg\")
Nathan Cleary and the Blues celebrate at fulltime after winning game three and the series.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jarome](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788188060_248_659ecae0cc16d994b5aa30586459aaa3577eae3d.jpeg\")
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