NRL: Tigers' Ellis completes player of the year three-peat

Gareth Ellis of the Tigers is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

England international Gareth Ellis has been named Wests Tigers' player of the year for an unprecedented third consecutive NRL season.

It continues an outstanding run in which the impressive second-rower has picked up the honour, voted on by the players, every year since joining the club from Leeds at the end of 2008.

Ellis edged out last year's golden boot winner Benji Marshall and captain Robbie Farah for the honour, though Marshall was named the club's best back of 2011.

"I'm pretty overwhelmed to be honest," Ellis, who played 18 games in 2011, said.

"I missed a few games this year but I just can't say thank you enough for the award, particularly the boys who obviously voted for me.

"It has been a fantastic year ... We did fall short again this year but hopefully we can look forward to a real strong 2012 and we can have a good go again."

Aaron Woods was named rookie of the year after a strong season in which he played 24 games, while popular centre Blake Ayshford won the members' player of the year and prop Keith Galloway walked away with the 'best forward' gong.

- AAP