MANLY bound front rower Tyson Andrews received the club's highest individual honour last Friday night when he was awarded the Harvey World Travel Player of the Year.
160 sponsors and guests assembled at Souths Leagues Club to not only acknowledge the individual achievements of players, but to continue celebrating the clubs maiden Intrust Super Cup victory.
In a breakout year for Andrews, he stamped himself as a player of the future; and after relocating to Mackay four years ago, he has done it the hard way.
Initially signed with Wests Tigers in the local Mackay competition, Andrews proved his worth in his second year by earning a contract with the Cutters.
His stellar performances in Queenslands premier competition across two seasons saw NRL scouts knocking and mid-year he secured a two-year deal starting in 2014 with grand finalists the Manly Sea Eagles.
Andrews was full of praise for the Cutters who have given him the platform to excel and get one step closer to living his dream of playing in the NRL.
I have loved my time in Mackay, Andrews said. The Cutters took a chance on me and for that I am very grateful. It is sad to go, but to leave the club with a premiership is very satisfying.
In addressing the audience, head coach Kim Williams said it was in the middle part of the year that Andrews really stood up.
There were about five games in a row through the middle part of the year where Tyson polled maximum votes from the staff, Williams said.
It was a close run race with both Chris Gesch and Bureta Faraimo nominated, but Tyson thoroughly deserves the award.
While narrowly missing the top gong, winger Faraimo capped of his best year by claiming the Players Player award.
Faraimo has one week left in Mackay before heading to England to compete in the Rugby League World Cup as part of the USA Tomahawks squad.
My dad is American Samoan so I qualify for the USA. I cannot wait to get over there and test myself against the best in the world. It has been a great year at the Cutters and this trip really tops it off, Faraimo said.
Full List of Award Winners:
Player of the Year: Tyson Andrews
Players Player: Bureta Faraimo
Sponsors Player of the Year: Jardine Bobongie
Rookie of the Year: Karl Davies
Under 18 Player of the Year: Malik Cotter
Under 16 Player of the Year: Mosese Uluiviti
Club Person of the Year: Chris Fraser