Ahead of Melbourne Storm’s night of nights - the 2014 Player of the Year Awards, melbournestorm.com.au previews the major honours and leading candidates.
Reflecting on 2014 and the year that was, a number of awards will be handed out recognising the achievements of the playing group. The night will culminate with the year’s top honour as the 2014 Melbourne Storm Player of the Year is crowned.
2014 Player of the Year Awards
Player of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Most Improved Player
Best Forward
Best Back
U20s Darren Bell Medal (Player of the Year)
U20s Best Forward
U20s Best Back
Greg Brentnall Young Achievers Award
Michael Moore Clubperson of the Year
Suzuki Members’ Player of the Year
Chairman’s Award
On Friday night, the 17th Melbourne Storm Player of the Year will be crowned. Who is in line to take out the prestigious award? melbournestorm.com.au takes a look at a list of potential candidates.
Ryan Hinchcliffe
One of Melbourne’s most reliable performers, Ryan Hinchcliffe played every game for Melbourne in 2014 turning in yet another consistent season.
Having missed just three matches over the last three years, the versatile forward once again played a number of different roles for Craig Bellamy’s side when required, with his level of performance rarely dipping. The 30-year old finished second at the Club for tackles made during the year.
Cooper Cronk
Despite missing six matches due to injury throughout 2014, Cooper Cronk enjoyed another strong year for Melbourne. The halfback was at his creative and influential best in attack, finishing the season with a Club high 25 try assists from 19 games.
One of the competition’s best playmakers, Cronk finished inside the league’s top five for both try and linebreak assists, highlighting his quality with the ball in hand. His ice cool temperament was on show from the start of the year, sealing victory in his first match of the season with two field goals against the Panthers in Round 2.
Jesse Bromwich
Jesse Bromwich’s outstanding 2014 saw the New Zealand international become an integral part of Craig Bellamy’s line-up as he continues to develop into one of the game’s premier front-rowers.
The 25-year old missed one match for the season (his first since 2012) and led Storm in a number of categories including runs made and offloads. Bromwich’s reliable ball security coupled with his brute strength continually caused havoc for opposition defences and provided Melbourne with plenty of go forward in attack.
