Emma Pritchard

Star Wests Tigers fullback Daine Laurie was the proud recipient of the Players’ Player trophy at the clubs Kelly-Barnes Awards Night on September 6.

The former Grafton Ghosts and Lower Clarence Magpies prodigy was voted the winner by his teammates, reflecting his strong performance on the footy field this year following a standout debut season with the NRL club in 2021.

While the Wests Tigers endured a disastrous season this year, winning just four NRL games and finishing with the wooden spoon for the first time in the club’s history, Laurie has fast become a fan favourite, and once again demonstrated his class and talent in 2022.

After setting up five tries during his first six appearances for the club this year, including a superb cut out pass to allow winger David Nofoaluma to score against the Melbourne Storm in Round 1, Laurie was instrumental in the Tigers’ first win of the season against the Parramatta Eels in Round 6.

While an MCL injury forced him to spend a few weeks on the sideline, Laurie made a triumphant return with two line breaks and two try assists in his clubs Round 12 clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

He finished the season with 77 tackle bursts, placing him in the top 25 players in the competition, and made an average of 120m per game.

Laurie is contracted to the Wests Tigers until the end of the 2023 NRL season.