Reds backrower Harry Wilson has been rewarded for his impressive Super Rugby Pacific season, claiming his maiden Stan Pilecki Medal.
The award is named after Queensland Rugby stalwart Stan Pileck, polling 281 votes to hold off Tate McDermott (241) and Fraser McReight (171).
Wilson led the competition for carries (202) along with finishing in the top ten for metres carried (1,036), offloads (17) and tackles (158).
The 22-year-old was proud to join the likes of Taniela Tupou, John Eales, Chris Latham and Toutai Kefu in winning the award.
“It’s a huge honour to win such a prestigious award,” Wilson said. “It’s something you don’t try and go in as a player and win but to get the honour is pretty special.
“It’s pretty special to join some awesome Rugby names on that list.
“There’s a few of my heroes up there so it means a lot to myself, my friends and family because they put a lot into me when I was a youngster so to see that pay is pretty special.
“I felt like I have improved a lot as a footy player and that is evident with this award I guess but it’s great to play around this group and team which I love doing.”
Flyhalf Lawson Creighton was named the Reds Rookie of the Year after stepping up in James O'Connor's absence.
Creighton was thrust into the starting role against the Kiwi sides, scoring 38 points across 14 games in his debut season.
Lock Ryan Smith was also recognised for his efforts, handed the Spirit of the Reds Award after claiming Rookie of the Year last year.
"I'm so happy for Lawson. He's 24 in his first year of Super Rugby which is pretty cool and he's gone from strength to strength coming off the bench," Wilson said on his Brothers teammates.
"He's such a loveable bloke so to see someone like that win an award is pretty cool.
"(Ryan) Smithy is the heartbeat of our team. We all love him and he brings energy and competes every training session, every game.
"He's someone we all love playing with and for."
2022 Queensland Reds award winners
- Pilecki Medal – Harry Wilson
- Rookie of the Year – Lawson Creighton
- Spirit of the Reds – Ryan Smith
Pilecki Medal Count
- Harry Wilson (281 votes)
- Tate McDermott (241 votes)
- Fraser McReight (171 votes)
- Hamish Stewart (132 votes)
- Seru Uru (130 votes)
- Ryan Smith (126 votes)
- Jock Campbell (123 votes)
- Josh Flook (114 votes)
- Hunter Paisami (98 votes)
- James O’Connor (95 votes)
