NSW Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has picked up the Brad Fittler Medal for the second time in his career, honouring his work in the sky blue as the state's MVP for the 2026 State of Origin series.
Cleary orchestrated an upset 2-1 series win in front of 50,000 boisterous Queensland fans in the decider in Brisbane in July, etching his name in Origin folklore.
It saw him claim the Wally Lewis Medal on the ground, which is the MVP award for either state, and finished this year's series with three tries, three try assists, two line breaks, five tackle busts and 60 average running metres.
Cleary was honoured with the award at a Blues event in Sydney on Monday night, delivered by departing Blues coach Laurie Daley.
It marks the second time he's collected the NSW award, with the Panthers halfback collecting the prize in 2020 after his efforts for the state.
Meanwhile, second rower Hudson Young collected the True Blue crown, which is given to the player who demonstrates the strong values of culture in the NSW Blues jersey.
Newcastle Knights hooker Diesel Hagan earned the title of Under 19s Men's Player of the Year and promises to be a breakout star in the Hunter when he gets his chance in the top grade.
Cleary's Panthers teammate Jaxen Edgar was named NSW Cup Player of the Year as the club promises a strong finals campaign, sitting first on the ladder with 16 wins and five losses.
The reserve grade side sits in the strongest position in the regular season since their title win in 2022.
Yasmin Meakes won her first women's Origin Player of the Series Award for the Blues for her outstanding campaign before this year's NRLW competition.
“The Brad Fittler Medal is a night where we celebrate the achievements of our administrators, officials, volunteers and players for the 2026 season,” NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said.
“This year has already been a memorable and successful season for NSWRL, with our men's and women's Origin teams both claiming their respective series, and participation records broken for a fourth consecutive season.
“I congratulate all the winners tonight for the positive contributions they have made in 2026 and wish all the teams still in the running for a premiership the best of luck for the finals.”
The Blues will welcome former assistant Matt King as the head coach of the Blues in 2027.
Both states will experience an unfamiliar build-up to the Origin series next year.
Game 2 will be hosted at Auckland's Eden Park, marking the first time the historic Origin fixture is played professionally overseas.
