Coates seals career-best season

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 3 Oct 2023, 09:33 PM

Xavier Coates has been awarded his first Cameron Smith Player of the Year Award on Tuesday at Melbourne Storm's presentation night, presented by RedZed, after a stellar 2023 season.

In a thrilling count, the 22-year-old finished on 19 votes, edging out Josh King and first-year Rookie, Will Warbrick, both on 18 votes.

Hooker, Harry Grant, halfback Jahrome Hughes, and 2nd rower Eliesa Katoa concluded the season on 17 votes ahead of play maker Cameron Munster and fullback Nick Meaney on 16.

In his second season in the purple jersey, Coates played in a career best 21 games taking his total to date to 70. Throughout the 2023 campaign, the electrifying winger scored 16 tries, had 11 linebreaks and 59 tacklebreaks. One of his standout games included a hat trick and an impressive 206m gained in the Round 26 win over the Gold Coast Titans which secured the clubs top four finish. Unfortunately, the State of Origin player succumbed to an ankle injury in Round 27 which saw him sidelined for the finals series.

As well as finishing runner-up in the count, Warbrick’s break-through season was further celebrated after taking home the Billy Slater Rookie of the Year Award and the Best Back of the Year. Warbrick’s first season for Storm included 25 appearances and 7 tries; arguably the most impressive was the match-winning try in the dying minutes of the club’s thrilling two-point win over the Sydney Roosters in the Semi Finals, in a display that showcased the 25-year-olds athleticism.

Meanwhile, King’s season saw him recognised as the Best Forward of the year, while Bronson Garlick was dubbed the Most Improved Player for the year after playing a career high 22-games.

As voted by the club’s members and fans, Sua Fa’alogo earnt Try of the Year for his electrifying performance in his debut game in Round 27 against the Brisbane Broncos. His consistency across the season with the Sunshine Coast Falcons saw the Victorian also take out the Cooper Cronk Feeder Club Player of the Year.

Reliable back Nick Meaney was a fan favourite taking home the RedZed Members’ Player of the Year. Rounding out the official awards was Keagan Russell-Smith with the Melbourne Storm Academy Player of the Year Award, Poasi Manu awarded the Under-21’s Darren Bell Medan and Dickie Terepo for the Greg Brentnall Young Achievers Award.