2023 Players’ Champion Finalists Announced

The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) is pleased to announce the 2023 Players’ Champion Finalists  – outlining the five Contenders from the NRL and NRLW who polled the most overall votes for the player-voted individual honours.

The five Finalists for the 2023 Players’ Champion from the NRL:

Addin Fonua-Blake (NZ Warriors)
Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors)
Adam Reynolds (Brisbane Broncos)
Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)

The five Finalists for the 2023 Players’ Champion from the NRLW are:

Tarryn Aiken (Sydney Roosters)
Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Zahara Temara (Canberra Raiders)
Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers)
Tamika Upton (Newcastle Knights)

All Finalists from the NRL and NRLW are in line to claim their first-ever Players’ Champion accolade, meaning two new names will be etched onto the Players’ Champion honour roll in 2023.

Reece Walsh becomes a Players’ Champion Finalist for the first time, two years after he claimed the Players’ Rookie of the Year in 2021. After his last appearances in 2021 and 2019, Payne Haas is a Finalist for the third time.

The winners of both the 2023 Players’ Champion awards from the NRL and NRLW competitions will be announced during Channel Nine’s Grand Final coverage on October 1.

Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA, congratulated the Finalists for The Players’ Champion awards:

“To earn acknowledgment from your peers as one of the top five performers in the NRL and NRLW seasons is remarkable, and a clear illustration of your status among your fellow players. The RLPA congratulates these ten outstanding players for the recognition they’ve received from the playing group as Finalists. Their exceptional contributions to the game during the 2023 seasons have genuinely set them apart. 

“All ten of these players would be worthy recipients of the esteemed Players’ Champion honour. We eagerly await the announcement of the two players crowned The Players’ Champion for the NRL and NRLW, which will be announced during Channel Nine’s Grand Final coverage on October 1st.”

Johnathan Thurston has won the most Players’ Champion awards, winning the award four times in 2005, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

The RLPA is excited to also announce the Finalists for the Players’ Rookie of the Year from the NRL and NRLW competitions. The two winners will be announced this Sunday September 24 on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

The Players’ Rookie of the Year Finalists (NRL):

Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)
Zac Hosking (Penrith Panthers)
Jacob Preston (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers)
Will Warbrick (Melbourne Storm) 

The Players’ Rookie of the Year Finalists (NRLW):

Annessa Biddle (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Sheridan Gallagher (Newcastle Knights)
Grace Kemp (Canberra Raiders)
Chantay Kiria Ratu (Gold Coast Titans)
Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Canberra Raiders)

About The Players’ Champion voting:

• Voting (in their applicable competition) is open to all contracted NRL and NRLW players, with each player selecting opposition players using a 3/2/1 format. 
• Players can vote from a list of four Contenders from each club who are nominated by their Delegates and an RLPA Working Group
• Players are not penalised for any suspensions and/or fines received during the course of the season. 
• Players cannot vote for their teammates or themselves.
• The player with the most number of votes is awarded The Players’ Champion.

Previous winners of The Players’ Champion

• 2022 James Tedesco (3) & Raecene McGregor
• 2021 Tom Trbojevic & Emma Tonegato
• 2020 Nathan Cleary & Hannah Southwell
• 2019 James Tedesco (2) & Jessica Sergis
• 2018 Kalyn Ponga
• 2017 James Tedesco
• 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
• 2004 Danny Buderus

The Players’ Awards schedule announced on Channel 9:

• September 24: Players’ Rookie of the Year (NRL & NRLW)
• September 28: Players’ Dream Team (NRLW)
• October 1: The Players’ Champion (NRL & NRLW)