Clark and Upton named inaugural Players’ Recruit of the Year winners

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is pleased to announce Erin Clark and Tamika Upton as the inaugural winners of the Players’ Recruit of the Year awards.

Erin and Tamika, who were both selected in their respective Players’ Dream Team sides, had standout years at their new clubs.

Tamika was recruited by the Brisbane Broncos for 2025 and returned to the club where she won two NRLW Grand Finals in 2019 and 2020. After winning two more Grand Finals at the Newcastle Knights, Tamika has been outstanding for the Broncos as a key spearhead in their charge towards a first Grand Final appearance since 2020.

Key Stats for Tamika Upton in 2025

Erin was recruited by the New Zealand Warriors in 2025 and returned to the club where he made his NRL debut in 2017. Although he was always highly regarded in his time at the Gold Coast Titans, Erin arguably produced his best-ever season for the Warriors in 2025.

Although Erin had started at lock several times before, he was traditionally a hooker. During his first season back at the Warriors, Erin developed into a powerful ball-playing lock under coach Andrew Webster.

Erin produced such an impressive season that the players selected him at lock in the Players’ Dream Team from the NRL, along with the Players’ Recruit of the Year.

Key Stats for Erin Clark in 2025

• 25 games
• 66 tackle breaks
• 147 average running metres per game
• 34 average tackles per game (95% efficiency)

Clint Newton OAM, the Chief Executive Officer of the RLPA, congratulated both Erin and Tamika for their excellent seasons at their new clubs.

“On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to congratulate Erin and Tamika for being the inaugural winners of the Players’ Recruit of the Year awards,” said Clint Newton.

“We introduced this award in 2025 to highlight the professionalism, leadership, and the relentless commitment players show to their craft, particularly in new environments. Just like Rookies, new Recruits have to learn quickly, be great team members, and be hugely adaptable to the structures and styles of new coaches.

“The level of professionalism required to be a great recruit is often overlooked or not discussed enough. At the RLPA, we wanted to celebrate these players and these attributes, and the selections of Erin and Tamika prove the value of the award.

“Tamika has performed consistently for years and success follows her everywhere. To maintain the level of performance she does week in and week out is a credit to Tamika’s ability and skill, but also her mental strengths.

“Erin had a number of great seasons at the Gold Coast Titans but elected to move back home to New Zealand in 2025. What followed was one of the best seasons by a lock in recent memory.

“Erin has put his name up there with the great locks of the modern era, particularly those still playing like Isaah Yeo, Patrick Carrigan, and Cameron Murray. And that is all the more amazing considering Erin really only established himself as an NRL lock during the 2025 season.”

The other Recruit of the Year finalists (those receiving the highest votes among eligible players) were Rima Butler, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, and Tayla Preston from the NRLW and Gehamat Shibasaki, Terrell May, and Addin Fonua-Blake from the NRL.