Nathan Cleary wins the 2026 Players’ Champion

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to announce Nathan Cleary as the 2026 Players’ Champion, presented by Select Cards, as voted by NRL players.

The Penrith Panthers halfback was voted by his NRL peers as their Players’ Champion out of a strong field of 68 Contenders, and ahead of the four other Finalists Erin Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Haumole Olakau’atu, and four-time winner James Tedesco.

Having won The Players’ Champion in 2020, Cleary becomes just the third player to win the player-voted award multiple times.

Receiving the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player in the 2026 State of Origin series, Cleary was also voted the RLPA Player of the Month on three separate occasions this season, as voted by NRL players.

Cleary was announced as The Players’ Champion on Channel 9’s 100% Footy on Monday night.

“On behalf of the RLPA, I congratulate Nathan Cleary on being voted by his peers as their Players’ Champion for 2026,” said Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA.

“Throughout this season, for club and state, Nathan has consistently played at a level even beyond his high standards. To now be a multiple-time winner alongside James Tedesco and Johnathan Thurston is a massive honour and credit to Nathan’s ability, professionalism, relentlessness and toughness.

“The expectations on Nathan are always very high. But in 2026 he showed once again that he can carry that pressure and produce quality performance after quality performance. Defined by his toughness as a halfback, Nathan’s all-round game has been astounding this year. Whether it be setting up tries or linebreaks, or his tactical and attacking kicking game, Nathan has been on another level in 2026.

“We proudly recognise Nathan Cleary as the Players’ Champion for 2026. He is a phenomenal and gifted player, a great leader and a quality human. These are some of the reasons why Nathan is such a respected player across the game and by his peers. Rugby league should be very proud to have him as one of the stars of our game.

“Lastly, I just want to send my thoughts to Nathan and his family after sustaining a brutal injury in the Preliminary Final. I wish you all the best in your recovery and we know you will fight your way back on the playing field as soon as you can.”

Nathan Cleary, the RLPA's player-voted Players' Champion for 2026 — Nathan Cleary, the RLPA’s player-voted Players’ Champion for 2026

Nathan Cleary key stats for 2026:

23 games
Six tries
Two one-point field goals (tied 1st in the league)
1st in the league for total kick metres, total kicks, and total attacking kicks.
29 try assists (2nd in the league)
218 total points (3rd in the league)
25 linebreak assists (3rd in the league)
49 tackle breaks
Wally Lewis Medal winner
Three RLPA Player of the Month awards (March, July, August)

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.