Ellis bags third straight title

Gareth Ellis has been named as Wests Tigers‘ Player of the Year for an unprecedented third season in a row.

Ellis, 30, picked up the award at the club’s prestigious annual Grand Final luncheon after a vote by team mates.

It has been a title he has collected every year since moving to the club from Leeds Rhinos at the end of the 2008 season.

“I’m pretty overwhelmed to be honest. I missed a few games this year but I just can’t say thank you enough for the award, particularly the boys who obviously voted for me,’’ Ellis said.

“It has been a fantastic year. The boys are a pleasure to play with week in, week out. We did fall short again this year but hopefully we can look forward to a real strong 2012 and we can have a good go again.”

Unlike the two previous seasons, Ellis endured several spells on the sideline as he struggled to shake off ankle and groin injuries.

Meanwhile, barnstorming Prop Keith Galloway picked up the Noel Kelly Medal for Best Forward with superstar five-eighth Benji Marshall collecting the Keith Barnes Medal for Best Back.

Young forward Aaron Woods was named Rookie of the Year.

The Tigers were heavily favoured to take out the 2011 NRL Premiership but were dumped out of the competition at the semi-final stage after a shock defeat to the New Zealand Warriors.