The Rugby League Players Association is pleased to announce Dylan Lucas as the Player of the Month for May, as voted by NRL players.
After a remarkable month, the Newcastle Knights back-rower secured his first RLPA Player of the Month award from his first nomination, finishing ahead of fellow nominees Cameron Munster and Isaiya Katoa.
Lucas is the first Knights player since Kalyn Ponga (August 2023) to claim the RLPA Player of the Month honour.
Lucas’s nomination and win followed a month defined by consistency, work rate and impact on both sides of the ball. The hard-running edge forward played a key role in Newcastle’s undefeated month.
Across four games in May, Lucas finished the month with five tries, three linebreaks and nine tackle breaks, and averaged 126 run metres and 36 tackles per game.
Among his standout performances was Newcastle’s clash against the Parramatta Eels. Lucas produced one of the defining displays of his month when he crossed for two long range tries, ran for 156 metres, and made 46 tackles in a tireless 80-minute effort.
His performances throughout May were a driving force behind Newcastle’s success and ultimately earned the respect of his fellow players in securing the RLPA’s Player of the Month award, as well as being selected to make his State of Origin debut for New South Wales.
The Player of the Month award is announced on Levels Network each month, the top-ranking rugby league podcast hosted by Justin Horo and Willie Mason.
Dylan Lucas Stats for May
Four games
Five tries
Three linebreaks
Nine tackle breaks
An average of 36 tackles per game
An average of 126 run metres per game.
Jamie Buhrer Praises Dylan Lucas
“On behalf of the RLPA, I’d like to congratulate Dylan Lucas on being voted by the players as their Player of the Month for May,” said Jamie Buhrer, the RLPA’s General Manager of Player and Football Operations.
“Dylan put together an outstanding month of football and was instrumental in Newcastle’s success throughout May.
“Dylan’s month was built on everything players respect. He competed hard, got through a mountain of work, and came up with plenty of big moments when his team needed them. I have no doubt that is why he was recognised by the players, as well as NSW coach Laurie Daly.”
