NRL players Reece Walsh and David Fifita could finally break through and win The Frownlow Medal in 2023 after helping each other to their second nominations.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Manase Fainu is the most recent recipient.
The Queensland stars reportedly went ‘toe to toe’ in a Queensland nightclub in the final days of 2022. Disappointingly for NRL fans and fellow patrons, the players did not throw a punch, but Walsh sent himself to the sin bin, leaving the bar without force after security separated the pair.
An argument will never be enough to win The Frownlow Medal, so the pair will have to rely on past history. Both have committed scandals in bars. Fifita was accused of assaulting a security guard at a nightclub in Bali in 2019, but was bailed out by the Broncos. He then signed with the Titans. Walsh committed his scandal closer to home, being arrested in Surfers Paradise in 2021 after refusing a move on direction and being found in possession of cocaine.
They will also need to do a lot more than argue if they want to beat the three other nominees. Mac Andrew earned the fastest ever nomination for alleged drink driving on New Year’s Eve, while Bronco TC Robati was charged with alleged violence against women, and Talatau Amone with chasing a tradie across a rooftop with a hammer
It’s barely lunchtime on January 1 and already the competition is fierce.
Will Walsh or Fifita enjoy their best season ever and take home The Frownlow Medal?
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 