Heighington top Tiger

Tough second-rower Chris Heighington has won the West Tigers Player of the Year award after a stellar 2008 season.

Heighington played all 24 matches for the Tigers, as well as earning his first City Origin and PM's XIII representative jerseys.

The 26-year-old has been a model of consistency for the club and has now played 69 games straight for the club.

"It is a tremendous honour to receive this award," Heighington said.

"I just try to do my very best each week for the team. It is nice to be acknowledged for my efforts."

"I really love playing at the Wests Tigers and under coach Tim Sheens. It is a terrific club to be at. It was disappointing for everyone not to have made the finals again this season after the success of 2005 but I can assure supporters that we will be giving it our all and more to make the play-offs next season."

Sheens praised his star and said he was a special player.

"Chris was just outstanding in every game this year for us," he said.

"It mirrors his attitude to training. He always gives 120 per cent every time he takes the field, whether it be to play or to train."

In other awards, prop Bryce Gibbs won the Best Defensive Player while Heighington, Chris Lawrence and John Morris received the Ironmen Awards for playing every game in 2008.

The Wests Tigers Members' Player of The Year Award was presented to captain and full-back Brett Hodgson.