The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is pleased to announce the 68 Contenders for the 2024 Players’ Champion (NRL) award, as selected by the RLPA’s player leaders from every club.
Featuring four players from every NRL club, the 68 Contenders are now eligible to be voted for by NRL players to win the individual Players’ Champion award, rugby league’s biggest and most prestigious player-voted award.
The individual winner of the Players’ Champion from the NRL will be announced on Grand Final Day, October 6.
Among the list of Contenders are previous Players’ Champion winners Tom Trbojevic (2021) and three-time 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.
“On behalf of the RLPA, I’d like to congratulate these 68 players on being Contenders for the individual and illustrious Players’ Champion award,” said Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA.
“The Players’ Champion is the biggest and most significant player-voted award in rugby league, and becoming a Players’ Champion comes with incredible respect that is sealed in the history of the game.
“The 2024 season has been another tremendous year where the players have, like always, gone above and beyond what is expected, performing at such an elite level in the world’s hardest and most physical team sport. To be selected by your club’s leaders as one of the four Contenders to be eligible for the individual Players’ Champion is a huge acknowledgement to a players’ commitment and contributions during a long and entertaining season.
“It is now up to the rest of the NRL playing group to select their Players’ Champion, in what will be a significant recognition for that player from the people he plays against every week.”
The RLPA is also pleased to announce the extension of The Players’ Awards presenting partnership with the game’s broadcaster Channel 9. The presenting partnership between the RLPA and Channel 9 will now enter its fifth consecutive season of celebrating the game’s biggest player-voted awards.
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.
- 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 players are then eligible to receive Players’ Champion votes from their NRL peers in the end-of-season poll.
- Voting is open to all contracted NRL 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 follow dates:
- September 15: Dennis Tutty Awards (NRL and NRLW)
- September 23: Players’ Dream Team from the NRL
- September 29: Players’ Rookie of the Year (NRL and NRLW)
- September 30: Players’ Dream Team from the NRLW
- October 6: The Players’ Champion (NRL and NRLW)
The 68 Contenders for the 2024 Players’ Champion (NRL)
Brisbane Broncos
- Kotoni Staggs
- Corey Jensen
- Patrick Carrigan
- Ezra Mam
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Stephen Crichton
- Connor Tracey
- Jacob Kiraz
- Matt Burton
North Queensland Cowboys
- Tom Dearden
- Reece Robson
- Reuben Cotter
- Jeremiah Nanai
The Dolphins
- Max Plath
- Herbie Farnworth
- Isaiya Katoa
- Jamayne Isaako
St George Illawarra Dragons
- Ben Hunt
- Zac Lomax
- Jaydn Su'A
- Jacob Liddle
Parramatta Eels
- Clint Gutherson
- Dylan Brown
- Mitch Moses
- Blaize Talagi
Newcastle Knights
- Dane Gagai
- Tyson Frizell
- Adam Elliott
- Kai Pearce-Paul
Penrith Panthers
- Dylan Edwards
- Jarome Luai
- Isaah Yeo
- Mitch Kenny
South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Jack Wighton
- Jye Gray
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- Cody Walker
Canberra Raiders
- Josh Papali’i
- Joseph Tapine
- Hudson Young
- Jordan Rapana
Sydney Roosters
- Angus Crichton
- James Tedesco
- Joseph Manu
- Sam Walker
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
- Tom Trbojevic
- Haumole Olakau’atu
- Taniela Paseka
- Daly Cherry-Evans
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
- Cameron McInnes
- Jesse Ramien
- Siosifa Talakai
- Kayal Iro
Melbourne Storm
- Jahrome Hughes
- Eliesa Katoa
- Trent Loiero
- Harry Grant
Gold Coast Titans
- Keano Kini
- Kieran Foran
- Erin Clark
- Beau Fermor
Warriors
- Mitchell Barnett
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Te Maire Martin
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Wests Tigers
- Fonua Pole
- Samuela Fainu
- Lachlan Galvin
- Apisau Koroisau
Players’ Champion winners from the NRL:
- 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
