Eight Sharks in running for RLPA Players' Champion awards

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Wed 10 Sep 2025, 12:25 PM

Eight Sharks stars have been named among the Contenders for the 2025 RLPA Players' Champion awards, the most prestigious peer-voted individual honours for the NRL and NRLW.

Blayke Brailey, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Addin Fonua-Blake and Will Kennedy are in the running for the coveted NRL gong, while Emma Verran, Brooke Anderson, Quincy Dodd and Talei Holmes make up Cronulla's NRLW contingent.

With four representatives from every men's and women's team, 68 NRL players and 48 NRLW players are now in contention to earn the title of The Players' Champion – as voted by the players via the Rugby League Players Association.

The individual winners of the Players' Champion from the NRL and NRLW will be announced on Channel 9, Thursday October 2.

"On behalf of the RLPA, I want to congratulate all 68 NRL players and 48 NRLW players who have been named as Contenders for The Players' Champion award,” said Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA.

"The Players' Champion remains the most prestigious and respected player-voted honour in rugby league. To be recognised by your peers as The Players' Champion is to earn a place in the game's history and the respect of those who compete against you every single week of the season.

"Being chosen by your club's leadership group as one of its four Contenders is an enormous acknowledgement of a player's contribution, resilience and consistency throughout a long and competitive season.

"The 2025 NRL and NRLW seasons have once again showcased the incredible standards set by our players. Week in and week out, they perform in the toughest and most demanding team sport in the world, pushing themselves beyond expectation. In response to the players' performances, the fans have voted with their feet and eyes in one of the most successful NRL and NRLW seasons ever.

"It is now over to the playing group across the NRL and NRLW to decide who will be crowned The Players' Champion – recognition that carries unmatched weight because it comes directly from the players themselves."

The RLPA is also pleased to confirm the renewal of The Players' Awards presenting partnership with the game's host broadcaster, Channel 9.

The partnership will now extend into its sixth consecutive year, continuing to celebrate the game's most significant player-voted honours with the 2025 edition of The Players' Awards set to be the biggest to date.

About The Players' Champion voting

The Contenders' list is composed of four players from each club who are nominated to be eligible for The Players' Champion individual award.
In the NRL competition, RLPA Delegates put forward three Contenders from their own teams before an RLPA Working Group panel (made up of current and former NRL players) nominates a fourth and final player from each team.
In total, 68 NRL players and 48 NRLW players are then eligible to receive Players' Champion votes from their peers in the end-of-season poll.
Voting is open to all contracted NRL and NRLW players, with each player voting for opposition Contenders using a 3/2/1 format. Players cannot vote for their teammates.
Players are not penalised for any suspensions and/or fines received during the course of the season.
The player with the most number of votes across all teams is awarded The Players' Champion.

All The Players' Awards will be announced on Channel 9 on the following dates

September 10: Dennis Tutty Awards from the NRL and NRLW
September 15: Players' Rookie of the Year from the NRL
September 17: Players' Rookie of the Year from the NRLW
September 22: Players' Dream Team from the NRL
September 24: Players' Dream Team from the NRLW
October 2: The Players' Champion from the NRL and NRLW

The 68 Contenders for the 2025 Players' Champion (NRL)

Brisbane Broncos
Payne Haas
Kotoni Staggs
Patrick Carrigan
Gehamat Shibasaki

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Jacob Preston
Stephen Crichton
Matt Burton
Max King

North Queensland Cowboys
Tom Dearden
Coen Hess
Scott Drinkwater
Jaxon Purdue

The Dolphins
Herbie Farnworth
Isaiya Katoa
Kurt Donoghoe
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

St George Illawarra Dragons
Clint Gutherson
Jaydn Su'A
Damien Cook
Moses Suli

Parramatta Eels
Jack Williams
Isaiah Iongi
Zac Lomax
Mitchell Moses

Newcastle Knights
Dane Gagai
Dylan Lucas
Fletcher Sharpe
Bradman Best

Penrith Panthers
Dylan Edwards
Nathan Cleary (2020 Players' Champion)
Isaah Yeo
Mitch Kenny

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jye Grey
Jai Arrow
Tallis Duncan
Keaon Koloamatangi

Canberra Raiders
Tom Starling
Ethan Strange
Joseph Tapine
Kaeo Weekes

Sydney Roosters
James Tedesco (2017, 2019, 2022 Players' Champion)
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Naufahu Whyte
Robert Toia

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Toluta'u Koula
Reuben Garrick
Ethan Bullemor
Daly Cherry-Evans

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Addin Fonua-Blake
Blayke Brailey
William Kennedy
Ronaldo Mulitalo

Melbourne Storm
Xavier Coates
Eliesa Katoa
Harry Grant
Trent Loiero

Gold Coast Titans
AJ Brimson
Jayden Campbell
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Beau Fermor

New Zealand Warriors
Erin Clark
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Jackson Ford
Wayde Egan

Wests Tigers
Jahream Bula
Terrell May
Jarome Luai
Adam Doueihi

The 48 Contenders for the 2025 Players' Champion (NRLW)

Brisbane Broncos
Tamika Upton
Keilee Joseph
Julia Robinson
Jada Ferguson

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Andie Robinson
Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Ash Quinlan
Alexis Tauaneai

North Queensland Cowboys
Essay Banu
Emma Manzelmann
Francesca Goldthorp
Bree Chester

St George Illawarra Dragons
Keele Browne
Ella Koster
Madi Mulhall
Trinity Tauaneai

Parramatta Eels
Abbi Church
Martha Mataele
Rueben Cherrington
Elsie Albert

Newcastle Knights
Yasmin Clydsdale
Sheridan Gallagher
Olivia Higgins
Jesse Southwell

Canberra Raiders
Leianne Tufuga
Chanté Temara
Chloe Saunders
Simaima Taufa (2018 Players' Champion)

Sydney Roosters
Isabelle Kelly (2024 Players' Champion)
Olivia Kernick
Rima Butler
Taina Naividi

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Emma Verran (2021 Players' Champion)
Talei Holmes
Brooke Anderson
Quincy Dodd

Gold Coast Titans
Jessika Elliston
Sarina Masaga
Sienna Lofipo
Georgia Hale

New Zealand Warriors
Payton Takimoana
Apii Nicholls
Patricia Maliepo
Tysha Ikenasio

Wests Tigers
Kezie Apps
Sarah Togatuki
Emily Bass
Caitlin Turnbull

Players' Champion winners from the NRL

2024 Jahrome Hughes
2023 Shaun Johnson
2022 James Tedesco (3)
2021 Tom Trbojevic
2020 Nathan Cleary
2019 James Tedesco (2)
2018 Kalyn Ponga
2017 James Tedesco (1)
2016 Jason Taumalolo
2015 Johnathan Thurston (4)
2014 Johnathan Thurston (3)
2013 Johnathan Thurston (2)
2012 Ben Barba
2011 Akuila Uate
2010 Darius Boyd
2009 Jarryd Hayne
2008 Braith Anasta & Petero Civoniceva
2007 Matt Bowen
2006 Ben Kennedy
2005 Johnathan Thurston (1)
2004 Danny Buderus