He made more tackles than any other player in the NRL and was a constant presence in the middle of the Sharks ruck, with hooker Blayke Brailey rewarded for his outstanding 2023 season by being named the 2023 Porter Gallen Medalist – Sharks Ponitfex Jewelers Player of the Year.
In making a total of 1057 tackles on the year, the 80kg Brailey putting his body on the line against much bigger opponents, then when added to his silky service and skill from dummy half, it was no surprise he caught the eye of Origin coach Brad Fittler by being called into camp ahead of game two.
It also comes as no shock that the Aquinas Colts Junior has taken out the Sharks most prestigious individual award as the Porter-Gallen Medal winner for season 2023.
Braley was singled out for the major award ahead of the five final nominees who included Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Cameron McInnes and Briton Nikora.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon made the Player of the Year announcement, with club legend Paul Gallen on hand to present Brailey with the medal bearing his name and that of Cronulla’s first captain Monty Porter.
And to go along with the main prize, his efforts didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates, with Brailey recognised by his peers by also being voted the Sharks Tommy Bishop Player’s Player.
Brailey accepted the Player’s Player award from Neil Bishop, representing Tommy and the Bishop family, at the annual presentation event held in front of 330 players, staff, officials, sponsors and guests at Doltone House in Sylvania.
Other award winners on the night included Members Player of the Year Will Kennedy, Tom Hazelton was announced as the Steve Rogers Rookie of the Year and Sam Stonestreet the NRL Education Excellence Award.
Toby Rudolf, the Sharks nominee for the NRL’s Ken Stephen Medal, shared the Sharks Have Heart Community Award with the NRLW’s Jada Taylor and the Club’s Sports Scientist and Innovation Manager Jess Adams was a popular recipient of the Andrew Ettingshausen Club Person of the Year award.
The Sharks NRLW awards were also presented on the night following the first year in the elite level women’s competition for the Cronulla club (CLICK HERE for a full wrap of NRLW awards), while Jersey Flegg awards went to De La Salle junior Noah Lester as the Greg Pierce Player’s Player and to Blake Hosking from the Engadine Dragons as the Gavin Miller Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.
Miller was in attendance to present Hosking with his award.
Young outside back Kristian Dixon was the Jersey Flegg Education Excellence Award winner.
While in recognition of their resilience throughout 2023, Brailey, along with Briton Nikora, Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien were acknowledged as Sharks ‘Iron Men’ after playing in all 25 NRL games this season.
See following the full list of award winners from the Porter Gallen Medal Night.
Porter-Gallen Medal Night - Award Winners
Porter Gallen Medal – Pontifex Player of the Year
Blayke Brailey
Porter Gallen Medal Nominees
Blayke Brailey, Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Cameron McInnes, Briton Nikora
Steve Rogers Rookie of the Year
Tom Hazelton
Members Player of the Year
Will Kennedy
Tommy Bishop Player's Player
Blayke Brailey
Andrew Ettingshausen Club Person of the Year
Jess Adams
Iron Man Award
Blayke Brailey, Briton Nikora, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien
NRLW Player of the Year
Tiana Penitani
NRLW Player's Player
Annessa Biddle
NRLW Rookie of the Year
Annessa Biddle
Sharks Have Heart Community Award
NRL – Toby Rudolf
NRLW – Jada Taylor
Jersey Flegg Greg Pierce Players Player
Noah Lester
Jersey Flegg Gavin Miller Player of the Year
Blake Hosking
NRL Education Excellence Award
Sam Stonestreet
Jersey Flegg Education Excellence Award
Kristian Dixon
NRLW Education Excellence Award
Andie Robinson
