Contenders locked in for player-voted 2026 Players’ Champion awards

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to reveal the Contenders for the two individual 2026 Players’ Champion awards, presented by Select Cards.

Hand-picked by the RLPA’s player leaders from every NRL and NRLW club, the Contenders are four players from every team who are now eligible to receive votes from NRL and NRLW players to be crowned their competition’s best player.

With four representatives from every team, the 68 NRL players and 48 NRLW players are now in contention for rugby league’s most prestigious individual player-voted honour, The Players’ Champion presented by Select Cards.

The individual winners of the Players’ Champion presented by Select Cards from the NRL and NRLW will be announced on Channel 9, Monday September 28.

Among the list of Contenders from the NRL is four-time Players’ Champion James Tedesco (2017, 2019, 2022, 2024). At four apiece, Tedesco and Johnathan Thurston (2005, 2013, 2014, 2015) share the record for the most Players’ Champion wins.

Other Contenders include 2020 Players’ Champion Nathan Cleary and 2024 Players’ Champion Jahrome Hughes.

Among the Contenders from the NRLW is reigning Players’ Champion Tamika Upton along with former winners Raecene McGregor (2022), Simaima Taufa (2018), Jessica Sergis (2019), and Isabelle Kelly (2024). All five players are in contention to be the first-ever two-time winner of The Players’ Champion from the NRLW.

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

“To be recognised in this way is a significant honour. Every Contender has first been selected by the player leaders within their own club, reflecting the positive impact they have made on their teammates through their performances over the season.

“The Players’ Champion presented by Select Cards carries enormous prestige because it is decided by the players themselves. Players understand better than anyone the relentless standards required to perform consistently at the elite level, the challenges that need to be overcome, and how an individual contributes to a team.

“The 2026 NRL and NRLW seasons have again demonstrated the extraordinary quality of our playing group. Across both competitions, players continue to raise the standard through their skill, toughness, professionalism and commitment to their clubs and teammates.

“The final decision now belongs to the players across the NRL and NRLW. To ultimately be voted The Players’ Champion by those you compete against every week is one of the greatest endorsements and signs of respect a player can receive.”

The RLPA is also pleased to confirm the renewal of The Players’ Champion awards broadcast partnership with the game’s host broadcaster, Channel 9, for the seventh consecutive year.

About The Players’ Champion voting:

• The Contenders’ list comprises 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 highest 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 9 on Freddie and the Eighth: Dennis Tutty Award (NRL and NRLW)
• September 14 on 100% Footy: Rookie of the Year (NRL)
• September 16 on Freddie and the Eighth: Rookie of the Year (NRLW)
• September 21 on 100% Footy: Dream Team (NRL)
• September 23 on Freddie and the Eighth: Dream Team (NRLW)
• September 28 on 100% Footy: Players’ Champion (NRL and NRLW)

The 68 Contenders for the 2026 Players’ Champion (NRL)

Brisbane Broncos

Xavier Willison

Patrick Carrigan

Billy Walters

Kotoni Staggs

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Enari Tuala

Lachlan Galvin

Sitili Tupouniua

Jacob Preston

North Queensland Cowboys

Scott Drinkwater

Reuben Cotter

Jaxon Purdue

Heilum Luki

The Dolphins

Kurt Donoghoe

Herbie Farnworth

Selwyn Cobbo

Thomas Gilbert

St George Illawarra Dragons

Hamish Stewart

Ryan Couchman

Damien Cook

Dylan Egan

Parramatta Eels

Jack Williams

Brian Kelly

Ronald Volkman

Kitione Kautoga

Newcastle Knights

Phoenix Crossland

Mat Croker

Fletcher Sharpe

Greg Marzhew

Penrith Panthers

Dylan Edwards

Nathan Cleary (2020 Players’ Champion)

Thomas Jenkins

Moses Leota

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Cam Murray

Cody Walker

Keaon Koloamatangi

Tallis Duncan

Canberra Raiders

Simi Sasagi

Kaeo Weekes

Joseph Tapine

Zac Hosking

Sydney Roosters

James Tedesco (2017, 2019, 2022, 2024 Players’ Champion)

Naufahu Whyte

Sam Walker

Mark Nawaqanitawase

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Haumole Olakau’atu

Taniela Paseka

Toluta’u Koula

Ben Trbojevic

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Braydon Trindall

William Kennedy

Blayke Brailey

Teig Wilton

Melbourne Storm

Sualauvi Fa’alogo

Stefano Utoikamanu

Jahrome Hughes (2024 Players’ Champion)

Harry Grant

Gold Coast Titans

Phillip Sami

Keano Kini

Jayden Campbell

Jojo Fifita

New Zealand Warriors

Wayde Egan

James Fisher-Harris

Erin Clark

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Wests Tigers

Alex Twal

Adam Doueihi

Api Koroisau

Fonua Pole

The 48 Contenders for the 2026 Players’ Champion (NRLW)

Brisbane Broncos

Tamika Upton (2025 Players’ Champion)

Chelsea Lenarduzzi 

Jesse Southwell 

Shannon Mato

North Queensland Cowboys

Makenzie Weale

Francesca Goldthorp

Abigail Roache

Bree Chester 

St George Illawarra Dragons 

Brooke Anderson 

Maria Paseka 

Kasey Reh 

Montana Clifford

Parramatta Eels

Abbi Church 

Lindsay Tui

Rory Owen 

Elsie Albert

Newcastle Knights

Sidney Taylor 

Lucy Spain 

Olivia Higgins 

Kirra Dibb 

Wests Tigers

Faythe Manera

Raecene McGregor (2022 Players’ Champion)

Sarah Togatuki

Shaylee Bent

Gold Coast Titans

Sienna Lofipo 

Laikha Clarke 

Georgia Hale

Teagan Levi

New Zealand Warriors

Shakira Baker 

Apii Nicholls 

Stacey Waaka 

Harata Butler 

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Georgia Ravics

Quincy Dodd 

Georgia Hannaway

Manilita Takapautolo

Canberra Raiders

Leianne Tufuga

Zahara Temara

Chanté Temara

Simaima Taufa (2018 Players’ Champion)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Alexis Tauaneai 

Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa

Monica Tagoai 

Tamika Jones 

Sydney Roosters

Jessica Sergis (2019 Players’ Champion)

Isabelle Kelly (2024 Players’ Champion)

Olivia Kernick 

Millie Elliott 

Players’ Champion winners from the NRL:

• 2025 James Tedesco (4)
• 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

Players’ Champion winners from the NRLW:

• 2025 Tamika Upton
• 2024 Isabelle Kelly
• 2023 Teagan Berry
• 2022 Raecene McGregor
• 2021 Emma Verran
• 2020 Hannah Southwell
• 2019 Jessica Sergis
• 2018 Simaima Taufa