Wests Tigers vice-captain Elijah Taylor has tonight been awarded the Kelly-Barnes Award for the 2017 Wests Tigers NRL Player of the Year.
Taylor was presented with the honour at the Club’s Presentation Night this evening, which was held in front of more than 400 guests at Le Montage in Lilyfield.
The 27-year-old, who recently extended his contact at Wests Tigers until the end of 2020, also took out the Members’ Player of the Year Award following a superb season.
Playing his first full season at Wests Tigers, Taylor was a standout for Ivan Cleary’s side throughout the year — averaging more than 42 tackles per game while also contributing five tries, four linebreaks and a try-assist. Despite missing three games with a shoulder injury, Taylor still finished fifth in the NRL for most tackles made this year with 891.
Taylor took out the top award as one of five finalists that included captain Aaron Woods, David Nofoaluma, Kevin Naiqama and James Tedesco.
Wests Tigers would like to congratulate Elijah on winning the Kelly-Barnes Award!
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NRL PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Elijah Taylor
Date of Birth — 27th February, 1990
Position — Lock, Second Row, Hooker
Junior Club — Patea Rugby Club (Rugby Union), Otahuhu Leopards
Rep. Honours — 10 Tests for New Zealand (2011-13)
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2016 — Mitchell Moses
2015 — James Tedesco
2014 — Aaron Woods
2013 — Liam Fulton
2012 — Aaron Woods
2011 — Gareth Ellis
2010 — Gareth Ellis
2009 — Gareth Ellis
