Dolphins forward Max Plath has capped a stunning rookie season in the NRL by winning the club's player of the year award.
The 22-year-old shone at lock and hooker in 23 NRL games to claim the Arthur Beetson Medal, and is regarded by Queensland legend Chris Close as a Maroons representative for the 2025 State of Origin series.
Plath is the son of four-time Brisbane premiership winner John Plath and was at the Broncos on a train-and-trial deal at the start of last season before being signed by the Dolphins and playing two NRL games in 2023.
His move paid dividends this year where Plath averaged 42 tackles and 66m per match, with nine of those games played at dummy-half.
Plath was singled out by Wayne Bennett at one early season training session in front of his teammates for his attention to detail, grit and desire. It is also the way he played, with his 33 tackle breaks for the season also showcasing strength and ball running ability.
Such was his form that Plath secured a three-year extension until the end of 2027.
The loss of Queensland forward Tom Gilbert to a season-ending injury was a huge blow for the Dolphins, but if there was a silver lining it was the opportunity that gave Plath to show what he had to offer.
"Max is a great example of someone who made the most of his opportunity," Dolphins CEO Terry Reader told AAP.
"He got a couple of games under his belt in 2023 and then turned up in pre-season and won all our fitness awards.
"When the opportunity presented itself with Tom Gilbert's injury he was not only our most consistent forward but also our best player.
"Max really showed his versatility. We lost our hooker Jeremy Marshall-King to injury and he moved into nine and did just as good a job as at lock. It has been a wonderful year for Max."
The Maroons lost this year's Origin series 2-1 and Close said Plath had the game and mentality to take the next step.
"Max has still got a lot of development that he can find in his game, but with the trajectory he's had since the start of this year I'd think he'd be well and truly in contention in next year's State of Origin series," Close told AAP.
"He is the type of player that would be a great run-on hooker or a great bench player at Origin level.
"He has also got a little bit of nous required when he sees an opening."
Plath scooped the pool at the Dolphins awards night where he took out players' player and best forward of the year. Centre Herbie Farnworth was voted best back, while prop Mark Nicholls (most consistent) and winger Jack Bostock (rookie of year) were others to receive gongs.
