The history of the Paul Broughton Medal

Named after Gold Coast Titans inaugural chairman and rugby league icon Paul Broughton, the ‘Player of the Year’ recognises outstanding individual playing performances round by round throughout the regular NRL season. 

Forward enforcer Luke Bailey holds the honour as the most awarded player, having won the medal in 2007, 2010 and 2011.

Bailey shared the medal in the Titans' inaugural season with current Gold Coast General Manager of Football Anthony Laffranchi.

Captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is the defending champion, holding off former winner Moeaki Fotuaika and winger Corey Thompson to claim the medal in 2021.

Fotuaika has been the most consistent Titan in the last three years, finishing runner up twice and winning once.

The prop won the award as a teenager in 2019, storming to victory and holding off a raft of experienced team-mates.  In 2020, he finished second to centre Brian Kelly.

Anthony Don is the only winger to win the medal, with Titans leading try scorer claiming the award in 2017.

History shows that forwards traditionally poll well, with eight from the pack claiming the gong (Bailey, Laffranchi, Nate Myles, Greg Bird, Luke Douglas, Ryan James, Fotuaika and Fa'asuamaleaui), while two hookers have also won (Nathan Friend and Beau Falloon).

Kelly became just the third member of the backline to claim best and fairest honours, joining Don and Preston Campbell (2008) in the history books.

Who will win in 2022? 

Can Fa'asuamaleaui become the first back-to-back winner since fellow captain Luke Bailey in 2010/11 or will the club see a new champion emerge with AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Beau Fermor among the final four in the running.

Keep up-to-date with the night via the Titans' live blog here.

Past winners