Props are supposed to stick they're heads in the darkest places on a rugby field, but they're never supposed to win the big awards.
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Allan Alaalatoa, however, has quickly established he's not like most front-rowers and his rise was marked by winning the ACT Brumbies' top award on Friday night.
Alaalatoa became the first prop in Brumbies history to win the Brett Robinson players' player award at the club's end of season function.
The 25-year-old played 16 of the Brumbies' 18 games this year, averaging 66 minutes in what many regard as the toughest position on the field.
The 25-year-old has already played 75 Super Rugby games and has signed a contract to stay at the Brumbies until at least the end of 2023.
So while it's taken 23 years for a front-rower to win the Brett Robinson award, the big men might not have to wait long for their second.
"He was very good this year," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
"He was outstanding in every game he played in, the central part of a dominant scrum, lineout and maul. His numbers around his involvements in attack and defence were unbelievable this year.
BRUMBIES NEWS
"He was a part of our leadership group this year for the first time and we certainly saw signs of him stepping up. He doesn't talk a lot, or rant and rave.
"But when he does talk they're really valid points and need to be raised. That's where we started to see his development this year.
"The Brett Robinson is the players' player award. The role that Allan plays within in our team is a massive one. Some people might not always appreciate what a tighthead prop does, but this shoes he's held in extremely high regard by our players and staff."
Alaalatoa won the Brumbies' main award while Tevita Kuridrani and Rory Arnold were recognised as the best back and forward respectively.
"It's not a fluke for Tevita, he turned up on day one in November of last year at a lighter weight than he finished the 2018 season in," McKellar said.
"He was fit, his speed and footwork was up compared to previous years. That's a credit to his preparation, it leads to performance.
"Rory was right up there in the votes from the players. He's been consistent over two years, no rocks and diamonds. That edge and mongrel in his game ... you can't coach that. He brings it in bucket loads. He's respected and probably feared a little bit [by opponents]."
The Brumbies also said goodbye to several departing players, including Arnold, Christian Lealiifano, David Pocock, Sam Carter and Henry Speight.
McKellar is working to add new recruits to the roster, with hulking 120 kilogram, 2014 centimetre Queensland lock Callum MacDonald on the radar to replace Arnold in the second row.
The Brumbies also announced a newly-created award, which doubles as a tribute to Christian Lealiifano's contribution to the club for the past 12 years.
The "Christian Lealiifano spirit of rugby" award was won by Lealiifano in his final year in Australian rugby.
Tayla Stanford won the Helen Taylor Super W player of the year prize, while Brooke Gilroy was named the team's rising star.
Jahrome Brown won the Brumbies' rookie of the year prize, which is named in honour of Shawn Mackay, and Wests club rugby legend Craig Robberds won the Garry Quinlivan service to rugby award in his final season as a John I Dent Cup coach.
BRETT ROBINSON AWARDS
Brett Robinson players' player: Allan Alaalatoa
Helen Taylor Super W player of the year: Tayla Stanford
Christian Lealiifano spirit of rugby: Christian Lealiifano
Best forward: Rory Arnold
Best back: Tevita Kuridrani
Shawn Mackay outstanding young talent: Jahrome Brown
Super W most outstanding young talent: Brooke Gilroy
Supporter's Super W choice: Georgia O'Neill
Supporter's Super Rugby choice: Christian Lealiifano
Garry Quinlivan service to rugby: Craig Robberds
Engagement award: Andy Muirhead
Best under-20s player: Noah Lolesio