Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has become the first player to win Australian rugby's top honour for a third time, achieving the feat in just his fifth season of professional rugby.
Israel Folau in action against the All Blacks Photo: Photosport
The NSW Waratahs' No.15, who also represented Australia in rugby league and played for AFL side Greater Western Sydney, was the first man to win the John Eales medal in three-successive years.
He polled 260 votes from his colleagues over the past 12 months, finishing 94 clear of inside centre Kurtley Beale (166), who only played seven of the 15 Tests over that period.
Folau enjoyed a prolific 2017 campaign, after breaking an 11-Test try drought.
He bagged Wallaby records of most tries in a calendar year (12 in ten matches) and most try doubles in a Test season (four).
First-five Bernard Foley, the only man to start all 15 Tests, was third on 132 followed by Michael Hooper and another backrower, Sean McMahon, 129.
Folau had previously been one of four men to win the Wallabies' player of the year award twice, along with captain and flanker Michael Hooper, lock Nathan Sharpe and flanker George Smith.
"I didn't expect it, Hoops (Hooper) is always a standout for me, he does all the hard work," Folau said.
"I'm a little bit lucky in the sense that KB (Beale) didn't play on the spring tour last year."