History of the Paul Broughton Medal

It's the highest individual honour for a Titans NRL player and again on Tuesday night, the player of the year will be awarded the Paul Broughton Medal.

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

Judged by the coaching staff, a 3-2-1 vote is awarded at the conclusion of each weekly fixture and the player with the highest number of votes at season's end is bestowed with the prestigious honour.

Bev Broughton will present the medal named after her late husband at the Titans awards function to recognise performances across the 2024 season.

Moeaki Fotuaika is the defending champion, with the forward enforcer a two-time winner of the award.

After another strong year, Fotuaika could equal former captain Luke Bailey as the only three-time club champion.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has claimed two medals, but a season ending injury in 2024 means he will have to wait 12-months to try and join Bailey's mark.

Brian Kelly is the only other current member of the squad to claim a Broughton Medal, winning back in 2020.

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

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).