PRICEY HONOURED BY MAROONS AWARDS

STEVE Price admits he was shocked to be handed the Peter Jackson Memorial Trophy this year.

Despite not taking part in the Maroons' record fifth consecutive win in 2010 due to a chronic heel injury, Price was never going to walk away without some recognition of his remarkable contribution to Queensland's rugby league success.

The veteran of 28 Origin matches was forced to announce his retirement midway through the Origin campaign due to his niggling injury, but there could be no more fitting recipient of the Jackson Memorial Trophy.

For one, lovable FOGS larrikin Jackson, who sadly passed away in 1997, would have wanted the honour for Price.

The pair first crossed paths 16 years ago, when Price was a shy, headgear-wearing young forward who had arrived at Canterbury from Toowoomba to chase his NRL dream.

Waiting for him was Jacko, who was officially the Bulldogs' skills coach and, unofficially, the club's social events organiser.

“I wasn't aware I had won the award actually,” Price said. “Mum texted me and told me I'd won it.

“It's a huge honour for me, just for what it represents. I was fortunate enough to be coached by Pete at the Bulldogs, he was a tremendous character and person, and it means so much to be given an award in his name.”

Maroons fans will miss Price's wholehearted efforts, but the Warriors prop will not be lost to the game in Queensland.

While he will continue to live in Auckland for the next few years to support wife Jo, who is studying, Price has been enlisted to help FOGS via their ARTIE education program.

“It’s a great environment to be involved in and being a FOG you’re always a part of the Queensland family,” Price said.

“I’ll be doing some stuff with the ARTIE program. I’ll do eight appearances with them next year in places like Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba and Mackay.

“I’ll be encouraging kids to be well behaved at school and I’m excited to be able to use my success in the game to help the next generation.

“If there’s anything I can do for the FOGS, I’d love to be a part of it.”

Despite not featuring in this year's series, Price says he bows out with no regrets.

“It would have been nice to be there this year but it wasn't to be,” he said.

“It was hard watching the Origin games back in New Zealand but it made me appreciate the great times I've had.

“The thing that makes me most proud is how hard it is to play one Origin game, let alone 20-odd. You don't realise just how much Origin means until it's taken away from you.”

The “20-odd” Origin games that Price refers to also made him eligible for another exclusive award – the Tosser Turner Medal, to recognise reaching the milestone of 20 games for the Maroons.

“Pricey’s 28 Origin games for Queensland since 1998 is an incredible achievement and fitting reward for a bloke who played such a big part in Queensland’s revival under Mal,” FOGS Executive Chairman Gene Miles said.

“And the Peter Jackson award is a well deserved recognition of his contribution to the cause.”