League: Bird, Bennett among winners at awards

Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.
Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.
Cronulla star Jack Bird has capped off a stellar NRL season by taking out the Dally M Rookie of the year award.

Bird was key in the Sharks' top eight finish this year and beat Manly's Tom Trbojevic, Melbourne's Cameron Munster and Warrior Tuimoala Lolohea to take out the award.

Bird was lured to the shire from St George Illawarra ahead of the 2015 season and played 23 games and scored eight tries. The 20-year-old was rewarded for his good early season form by earning a berth with NSW Country for their annual representative clash with City.

"It was a good season for the Sharks especially where we came from, to go from last to first ," Bird said.

"It was a remarkable year for us."

Bird said senior players in the Sharks side such as skipper Paul Gallen and hooker Michael Ennis had helped his development.

"Mick Ennis and Gal are good blokes, they bash me around at training but it doesn't really work," he said.

Team of the Year

The Dally M team of the year, spearheaded by Cowboys halfback and Dally M Player of the Year , featured two Kiwis in Roosters fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo. Other players chosen were winger Semi Radradra (Eels), centre James Roberts (Titans), five-eighth Blake Austin (Raiders), prop Aaron Woods (Tigers), hooker Michael Ennis (Sharks) and second-rower Josh Jackson (Bulldogs).

Other winners

Wayne Bennett was named coach of the year after taking the Brisbane Broncos to the Grand Final upon his return to the club, while Broncos lock Corey Parker was named representative player of the year. Ashley Taylor won Under-20s player of the year, while Jenni Sue Hoepper was awarded Women's player of the year.

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