Crichton spent the previous night with halfback Sam Walker watching episodes of Seinfeld, trying to take his mind off the fact he had ruptured his ACL.

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The Brad Fittler Medal complemented Crichton’s Wally Lewis Medal for being the best player in this year’s Origin series, which was won by the Blues.

St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax, Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton and Penrith’s Liam Martin were all standouts for the Blues during their 2-1 triumph over Queensland.

But Crichton was nothing short of outstanding in attack and defence. The moment he palmed off Reuben Cotter in game two in Melbourne after he took exception to a tackle, followed by several Blues laughing in Cotter’s face, became one of the iconic moments of coach Michael Maguire’s first series in charge.

Crichton also collected the people’s choice award, while NSW Sky Blues winger Jaime Chapman completed the same awards’ double. Captain Jake Trbojevic won the True Blue Award.

Debuting for the Blues in 2018, Crichton has gone on to play 14 Origin games. This series alone he ran for 488m, made 61 tackles, 10 offloads and two linebreak assists.

The Brad Fittler Medal was first presented in 2005 with winners including Matt King (2005), Steve Menzies (2006), Danny Buderus (2008), Paul Gallen (2011), James Tedesco (2018-19, 22), Nathan Cleary (2020), Tom Trbojevic (2021), and Brian To’o (2023).

Canberra Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart was named the NSW under-19s player of the year after scoring a try and setting up the match-winner in the 14-10 win over Queensland. Illawarra halfback Kasey Reh was named NSW under-19s womens’ player of the year.

In a good night for the Raiders, halfback Adam Cook was named NSW Cup player of the year. Cook led the competition for try assists (21), was equal first for line break assists (20), and was second for both points scored (150) and goals (69).

2024 Brad Fittler Medal award winners:

• Brad Fittler Medal: Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
• True Blue Award: Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
• The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award: Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
• NSW Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year: Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
• Sky Blues Award: Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights)
• CABE NSW Men’s Under 19s Origin Player of the Year: Chevy Stewart (Canberra Raiders)
• NSW Women’s Under 19s Origin Player of the Year: Kasey Reh (Illawarra Steelers)
• The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year: Adam Cook (Canberra Raiders)
• Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Leilani Wilson (Wentworthville Magpies)
• Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Owen Pattie (Canberra Raiders)
• Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Player of the Year: Craig Garvey (Glebe Dirty Reds)
• Sydney Shield Player of the Year: Jake Watmough (Manly Leagues)
• Men’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Josh Ayers (Monaro Colts)
• Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award: Khalil Kouayder (Greenacre Tigers)