He was overlooked for a Dally M nomination, but Canberra players have hailed hard-working lock Shaun Fensom as their best on-field performer for the second year running.

Fensom was named the back-to-back winner of the Meninga Medal at the Raiders’ gala night in Canberra on Wednesday, just ahead of their sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla on Sunday.

Voted by the players during the regular season, Fensom finished on 25 points, in front of Reece Robinson’s 20, while five-eighth Josh McCrone and skipper David Shillington tied for third place with 13 points apiece.

Coach David Furner said Fensom, who amassed 851 tackles in 2012, was a worthy winner, despite having been ignored by the Dally M judges.

“The Meninga Medal is due recognition for Shaun’s boundless work rate in both attack and defence,” he said, adding that his defensive efforts this year have been “mountainous”.

But as for Furner’s own choice, he was unable to split the difference between McCrone and forward Joel Thompson, decreeing they should share the coach’s award.

Young gun Mark Nicholls was named the club’s rookie of the year.