Cameron Smith has been crowned Melbourne Storm’s Player of the Year for the seventh time in his career.
Smith took out the award with over 800 people in attendance at Crown Palladium on Tuesday night.
Thirteen years after winning his first Player of the Year award, this latest accolade is a testament to the remarkable durability and consistency of the future immortal.
It caps off what has been a remarkable 2017 season for the Storm skipper who has tasted the ultimate team and individual success.
After guiding the Club to its second consecutive Minor Premiership, the champion hooker was at his masterful best on Sunday night as he led Melbourne to an incredible 34-6 Grand Final victory over the Cowboys.
His latest premiership ring will enter his ever-growing trophy cabinet, along with the 2017 Dally Player of the Year, Hooker of the Year and Captain of the Year honours.
The 34-year-old has also spent much of the season etching his name onto just about every page of the NRL record books.
Last month Smith surpassed Darren Lockyer for most games played in NRL history and also now holds the records for; most points in premiership history, most wins in premiership history, most games as an NRL captain, most points as a forward and the first player to kick 1,000 premiership goals.
With another year still to run on his current contract at Storm, Smith is proving to only get better with age.
The Storm Player of the Year awards were presented by Kennedy, a premium brand specialising in the curation of the world’s finest timepieces and jewellery.
The 2017 premiership team was also presented on stage with the Provan-Summons trophy and a series of special tribute packages played throughout the night to celebrate Sunday night’s Grand Final victory.
In other awards on the night, Will Chambers was named Best Back for the first time in his career following a dominant season on Storm’s right edge while three-time Storm Player of the Year Jesse Bromwich took out his fourth Best Forward award.
After 323 stellar games in the purple jersey, departing legend Cooper Cronk received the revered Michael Moore Trophy as the 2017 Club Person of the Year.
Storm also honoured the champion halfback by unveiling the Cooper Cronk medal, which will now be awarded annually to the Storm Feeder Player of the Year. Brodie Croft became the first to receive the medal following his outstanding year with Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup.
Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi was also awarded life membership after 10 years of outstanding service to the Club.
A breakout season for Curtis Scott was fittingly acknowledged with the Rookie of the Year honour while Felise Kaufusi was named Storm’s Most Improved after playing every game of the 2017 season.
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2017 Award winners:
Kennedy Player of the Year - Cameron Smith
Quit B Fit Best Back - Will Chambers
Quit B Fit Best Forward - Jesse Bromwich
Michael Moore Trophy - Cooper Cronk
Life member inductee - Frank Ponnisi
Suzuki Members Player of the Year - Cameron Smith
Quit B Fit Most Improved - Felise Kaufusi
Kaikura Land Sales Rookie of The Year - Curtis Scott
Best Try – Kenny Bromwich, Qualifying Final v Eels
Cooper Cronk Medal (Feeder Club POTY) - Brodie Croft
Under 20's Best Forward - Louis Geraghty
Under 20's Best Back - Jesse Arthurs
Under 20's Darren Bell Medal - Harry Grant
Greg Brentnall Trophy (Young Achievers Award) - Jordin Leiu
Chairman's Award - Daniel Giese
Player of the Year winners:
2017 - Cameron Smith
2016 - Jesse Bromwich
2015 - Jesse Bromwich
2014 - Jesse Bromwich
2013 - Cameron Smith
2012 - Cameron Smith
2011 - Cameron Smith
2010 - Ryan Hinchcliffe
2009 - Billy Slater
2008 - Billy Slater
2007 - Cameron Smith
2006 - Cameron Smith
2005 - Cameron Smith
2004 - Matt Orford
2003 - Robbie Kearns
2002 - Rodney Howe
2001 - Richard Swain
2000 - Rodney Howe
1999 - Brett Kimmorley
1998 - Robbie Kearns
