Annessa the RLPA Rookie of the Year

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sun 24 Sep 2023, 01:01 PM

With over 100 rookies taking the field for the first time this season, Sharks winger Annessa Biddle has beat out a strong list of candidates in being named the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) NRLW Rookie of the Year for 2023.

Biddle took out the women’s rookie award with Tigers fullback Jahream Bula winning the men’s with the award voted on by their fellow players.

Biddle was voted best rookie ahead of the Finalists Sheridan Gallagher (Knights), Grace Kemp (Raiders), Chantay Kiria Ratu (Titans) and Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Raiders).

For the men’s award, Bula beat out a group of Finalists which included Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Sunia Turuva (Panthers), Zac Hosking (Panthers) and Will Warbrick (Storm).

Lina Caccamo, the RLPA’s GM of Elite Women and International Relations, congratulated Annessa on being voted Rookie of the Year by the NRLW players.

“With four new NRLW teams and the longest season to date, it meant that the field for Rookie of the Year in 2023 was the most competitive ever. On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to congratulate Annessa for this incredible recognition from her peers in such a tough field to pick from,” Caccamo said.

“To be named Rookie of the Year by your peers is an extraordinary acknowledgement for Annessa. We look forward to watching her continue to grow as a player and person. She is a phenomenal talent and has a very bright future as an elite NRLW player.

“There were 102 players who debuted in the 2023 NRLW season alone, so to be voted in the top five in a field of over 100 rookies is a testament to their qualities as players.”

Tiana Penitani, captain of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and an RLPA Delegate, praised her teammate.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Annessa. We knew she was going to be a special talent from the first few weeks of pre-season. She’s such a hard worker and the most humble human,” Penitani said.

“To receive this award in a season where there were so many incredibly talented rookies is a reflection of how amazing Annessa is and what a bright future she has ahead of her.”

Biddle was named the Sharks NRLW Players Player, as well as the Rookie of the Year in what was her first season at the club. She began the year on the wing and finished in the centres, scoring two tries in the Sharks record-breaking win over the Eels in their last match.

Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA, congratulated both Biddle and Bula on their Rookie of the Year awards.

“The RLPA would like to congratulate Annessa and Jahream for being honoured as the Players’ Rookie of the Year winners. As with any year, the players had to choose between an excellent crop of rookies.

“The quality of players coming through the ranks of both competitions is exciting and proves the strength of our pathways. Both Annessa and Jahream thoroughly deserve to join an esteemed honour roll for the Players’ Rookie of the Year. It’s not easy coming into arguably the most intense competitions in the world as a rookie, so to stand out the way Annessa and Jahream have is a strong demonstration of who they are as people and players.

“Given the first-class list of previous Players’ Rookie of the Year winners, I have no doubt we will see both Annessa and Jahream continue to have wonderful careers as their prodigious talents are continually developed and fostered.”

About The Rookie of the Year voting:

● Voting (in their applicable competition) is open to all contracted NRL & NRLW players, with each

player selecting one (1) opposition player from their competition.

● Players are not penalised for any suspensions and/or fines received during the course of the season.

● Players cannot vote for their teammates

● The player with the most number of votes is awarded the Players’ Rookie of the Year.

Previous winners of The Rookie of the Year:

● 2022 Gayle Broughton & Jeremiah Nanai

● 2021 Destiny Brill & Reece Walsh

● 2020 Harry Grant

● 2019 Payne Haas

● 2018 Victor Radley