Mitch Cornish will be aiming to break Tuggeranong Bushranger hearts twice in a week as the former NRL playmaker sets his sights on a fairytale homecoming.
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Cornish won the Les McIntyre Medal at a function on Wednesday night, named the best and fairest player in the Canberra Raiders Cup in his comeback season.
His leapfrogged Tuggeranong's Josh Mitchell with a last-round man of the match effort and can rub salt in the wounds if he can lead Goulburn to a preliminary final win against the Bushrangers on Sunday.
Cornish played 20 NRL games in stints with the Raiders, Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters.
The Roosters wanted the 26-year-old to be Cooper Cronk's understudy this season, but Cornish opted to return to his rugby league roots and link with his brothers at Goulburn.
"Mitch is such a great guy to have around," said Goulburn coach Adam Kyle.
"He's very welcoming, friendly and always happy to help around the club. He's been consistent throughout the year.
"I'm a very lucky coach to have three [former] NRL players in my side. Really blessed."
Cornish won the top individual prize after leading Goulburn back to the finals for the first time in four years.
Tuggeranong hooker Mitchell led the medal count by one votes going into the last round of the regular season.
But Cornish starred in an 80-0 rout against Gungahlin, claimed three votes and jumped ahead of Mitchell.
It wasn't all heartbreak for Tuggeranong, though, with Jarrad Teka winning the coach of the year prize.
Teka returned to the Bushrangers this season after a stint with the Yass Magpies and has the job of ending a form slump to book a grand final ticket.
The winner of the Bushrangers-Goulburn showdown at Gungahlin will play the Queanbeyan Blues in the grand final next weekend.
"It's a home away from home for me. We've been hanging in there in a lot of games and I think that shows the character of our team," Teka said.
"We've had a lot of blokes injured ... it's put us under a bit of pressure but we've been defending really well against most teams.
"Our depth will be tested. But if we get our fair share of possession, we'll give it a shake. Goulburn's a good side, they've got a great spine. They're very smart and clinical. But I think we're up for it."
Yass Magpies halfback Hollie Massey won the Maree Bush Medal for her outstanding Katrina Fanning Shield season, while Harden Hawkettes star Emma James won her third consecutive best and fairest award for the George Took Shield ladies league tag.
MCINTYRE MEDAL NIGHT
Les McIntyre Medal: Mitch Cornish
Don Furner Senior coach of the year: Jarrad Teka
Katrina Fanning Shield best and fairest: Hollie Massey
Canberra ladies league tag: Sarah Carter
Gavin Miller Medal for George Tooke Shield: Chris Thorley
George Tooke Shield ladies league tag: Emma James
Noel Bissett trophy for outstanding referee: Evan Bayliss
Rookie of the year: Seb Kris
Representative player of the year: Josh Stuckey
Raiders Cup club champions: Goulburn Bulldogs
George Tooke Shield club champions: North Canberra Bears