The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to reveal the Contenders for the two individual 2025 Players’ Champion awards, hand-picked by the RLPA’s player leaders from every NRL and NRLW club.
Contenders are four players from every team eligible to be voted by NRL and NRLW players as their competition’s best player.
With four representatives from every team, these 68 NRL players and 48 NRLW players are now in contention for rugby league’s most prestigious individual honour – The Players’ Champion – as voted by the players.
The individual winners of the Players’ Champion from the NRL and NRLW will be announced on Channel 9, Thursday October 2.
Among the list of Contenders from the NRL is three-time Players’ Champion winner James Tedesco (2017, 2019, 2022). Johnathan Thurston holds the record for most wins of the Players’ Champion award with four (2005, 2013, 2014, 2015), with Tedesco now in the running to tie that record.
Other Contenders include 2024 Players’ Champion Finalists Stephen Crichton and Addin Fonua-Blake, as well as 2020 Players’ Champion Nathan Cleary.
Among the Contenders from the NRLW is reigning Players’ Champion Isabelle Kelly along with former winners Raecene McGregor (2022) and Simaima Taufa (2018). Continuing their rich veins of form like Kelly, 2024 Players’ Champion Finalists Abbi Church, Julia Robinson, Tamika Upton and Olivia Kernick all feature as Contenders for 2025.
“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 Hass
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
