League: Ben Matulino named Warriors Player of the Year

Ben Matulino joins former captain Steve Price and current skipper Simon Mannering as the only other players who have won the award multiple times. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors prop Ben Matulino was rewarded for an outstanding NRL season by claiming the Player of the Year Award for the second time in four years at the club's 21st Annual Awards at the SkyCity Convention Centre tonight.

The 27-year-old joins former captain Steve Price (2006 and 2007) and current skipper Simon Mannering (2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014) as the only other players who have won the award multiple times.

Mannering was again a finalist, along with halfback Shaun Johnson, who missed the last six games of the season through injury.

Matulino, first named player of the year in 2012, appeared in 21 matches and missed only three games due to suspension.

He topped the Warriors' lists for most runs (349 for an average of 16.6 a game) and for most metres gained (3245 for an average of 154.5 a game).

In the last game of the season against the Bulldogs he carried the ball 194 metres from 17 runs while he topped 150 metres 12 times with a best of 222 metres against the Titans in round 15.

He was also the club's most prolific off loader with 53, ranking him second among all players in the NRL, while he made 566 tackles averaging 27 a game.

"It was a really tough decision choosing between Ben, Simon and Shaun for the award," said Warriors coach Andrew McFadden.

"In a season that provided its challenges they all made huge efforts for the team but in the end Ben won through. He impressed with the consistent quality of his performances and his durability.

"He's certainly up there with the best few props in the game today and just gets better and better every year."

Utility Tui Lolohea beat out competition from Solomone Kata, Albert Vete and Sam Lisone to claim the NRL Rookie of the Year award.

Also announced tonight were the two premier awards for the club's New South Wales Cup side, with John Palavi winning the NSW Cup Player of the Year, and halfback Mason Lino taking out the NSW Cup Rookie of the Year award.

While the Junior Warriors had their awards evening last Wednesday the winners of the two main accolades were acknowledged tonight. NYC Player of the Year and Sonny Fai Medal winner Bunty Afoa was presented with his award as was NYC Rookie of the Year Ata Hingano.

2015 Warriors Awards

Warriors 100-game Award - Shaun Johnson
NRL Record 10 tries in 10 Seasons - Manu Vatuvei
Legacy Award - Sam Rapira
People's Choice Award - Shaun Johnson
Club Person of the Year - Albert Vete
NYC Rookie of the Year - Ata Hingano
NSW Cup Rookie of the Year Award - Mason Lino
NRL Rookie of the Year - Tui Lolohea
NYC Player of the Year - Bunty Afoa
NSW Cup Player of the Year - John Palavi
NRL Player of the Year - Ben Matulino