Gold Coast Titans fullback Keano Kini has been crowned the 2024 Paul Broughton medallist, with the 20-year-old claiming his first club championship in just his second year of NRL football.
Kini held off former winners Brian Kelly and Moeaki Fotuaika, capping a remarkable season that saw him grab his opportunity in the Titans starting side.
Kelly was voted the winner of the Players’ Player award.
Named after Gold Coast Titans inaugural chairman and rugby league icon Paul Broughton OAM, Kini was presented the award by Bev Broughton on behalf of her late husband at tonight’s ceremony at The Star Gold Coast.
Titans coach Des Hasler says Kini is a worthy winner.
“I want to congratulate all of the award winners who have earned their recognition tonight,” he said.
“Keano and Brian in particular both had great seasons.
“It speaks to a bright future here at the Titans.”
Kini becomes just the fourth backline player in the history of the award to claim the medal, joining Kelly, Anthony Don and Preston Campbell.
It was a fast finish for Kini, with a purple patch of late season form seeing him poll 12 out of a possible 15 votes between Rounds 20 to 25.
Across 16 NRL games this season, Kini averaged 212 running metres including breaking the club record for run metres for the second time this year – notching up a whopping 346 against the Dragons in Round 24.
The young fullback would have been among the favourites for the NRL’s Rookie of the Year award but played one too many games in 2023 ruling him ineligible (Kini played six games in 2023, five games is the cutoff for Rookie of the Year eligibility).
A graduate of the Future Titans program and partner school Palm Beach Currumbin State High, the Auckland-born Kini will be among the favourites to be picked for New Zealand for the end-of-year Pacific Championships.
Josiah Pahulu was recognised for his impressive debut year, winning the Rookie of the Year award, while Titans Members voted Jayden Campbell and NRLW fullback Evania Pelite as their Members’ MVPs.
The NRLW Rookie of the Year, Players' Player and Player of the Year will be awarded at the end of their season.
2024 Gold Coast Titans Award Winners
- Outstanding Achievement Award: Cameron Stallard
- Wellbeing & Education Award: Ben Liyou
- Netball Sapphire Series Player of the Year: Shenae Grant
- Ruby Series Player of the Year: Dellwyn Fiso
- “The Preston” Award: Jaime Chapman
- Leagueability IDRL Player of the Year: Dylan Bourke
- Leagueability PDRL Player of the Year: Drew Robinson
- Leagueability All Abilities Player of the Year: Christiaan Cornet
- Members' NRL MVP: Jayden Campbell
- Members' NRLW MVP: Evania Pelite
- NRL Rookie of the Year: Josiah Pahulu
- NRL Players' Player: Brian Kelly
- Paul Broughton Medal: Keano Kini
