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 Sydney Roosters Contenders for the 2025 Players’ Champion (NRL)
James Tedesco (2017, 2019, 2022 Players’ Champion)
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Naufahu Whyte
Robert Toia
The Sydney Roosters Contenders for the 2025 Players’ Champion (NRLW)
Isabelle Kelly (2024 Players’ Champion)
Olivia Kernick
Rima Butler
Taina Naividi
Players’ Champion winners from the NRL:
• 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:
• 2024 Isabelle Kelly
• 2023 Teagan Berry
• 2022 Raecene McGregor
• 2021 Emma Verran
• 2020 Hannah Southwell
• 2019 Jessica Sergis
• 2018 Simaima Taufa
