Kemp claims first Impact Player in 2024 Players’ Dream Team

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to announce the 2024 Players’ Dream Team – the best 14 players by their positions – as voted by NRLW players.

The 2024 Players’ Dream Team:

Fullback: Tamika Upton
Wingers: Julia Robinson, Stacey Waaka
Centres: Isabelle Kelly, Annessa Biddle
Five-Eighth: Gayle Broughton
Halfback: Tarryn Aiken
Props: Sarah Togatuki, Ellie Johnston
Hooker: Quincy Dodd
Second Rowers: Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Clydsdale
Lock: Simaima Taufa
Impact: Grace Kemp

This year sees the Impact Player introduced to the Players’ Dream Team for the first time, recognising the contributions and game-changing influence of a player who primarily starts on the interchange for their club team.

The inaugural Impact Player from the NRLW is the Raiders’ Grace Kemp who scored two tries during the 2024 regular season, and averaged 103 running metres with 34 total tackle breaks.

Along with Kemp, the 2024 Players’ Dream Team features six (6) players making their first appearances in the game’s biggest player-voted team of the year: Tamika Upton, Stacey Waaka, Gayle Broughton, Ellie Johnston, and Quincy Dodd.

The minor premiers the Brisbane Broncos (Robinson, Waaka, Broughton), Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Biddle, Johnston, Dodd), and Sydney Roosters (Kelly, Aiken, Kernick) lead the way with three players in the 2024 Players’ Dream Team from the NRLW.

Aiken Claims Most Players’ Dream Team Appearances:

Tarryn Aiken’s selection into the Players’ Dream Team takes her total appearances to three (3) and is the player to now appear in the most Dream Teams from the NRLW.

Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Annessa Biddle, Sarah Togatuki, Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Clydsdale, and Simaima Taufa join the select list of players who have been voted in multiple times (2) by their peers.

Clint Newton Praises 14 NRLW stars in Players’ Dream Team:

“On behalf of the RLPA I’d like to congratulate these 14 players for making the 2024 Players’ Dream Team,” said Clint Newton, the CEO of the RLPA.

“The Players’ Dream Team from the NRLW is always an incredible list of players who have contributed to creating the best domestic women’s competition in our region.

“I would also like to make a special recognition to Grace who has become the first ever NRLW player to be voted the best Impact Player by NRLW players. Grace has been such an impressive player in 2024, and every time she steps onto the field you are confident that she will make an impact.

“Rugby league is the most demanding contact sport in the world, and it is a credit to all 14 of these NRLW players to be recognised by their peers in this Dream Team. On the field they battle through intense rivalries, but they also have a profound mutual respect and authentic admiration for each other’s abilities and performances.”

Most appearances in The Players’ Dream Teams from the NRLW:

• 3 – Tarryn Aiken.
• 2 – Teagan Berry, Millie Boyle, Destiny Brill, Amber Hall, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Annessa Biddle, Sarah Togatuki, Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Clydsdale, Simaima Taufa.

Previous Players’ Dream Teams from the NRLW:

• 2023 Teagan Berry, Jakiya Whitfeld, Mele Hufanga, Shanice Parke, Annessa Biddle, Tarryn Aiken, Ali Brigginshaw, Shannon Mato, Emma Manzelmann, Sarah Togatuki, Yasmin Clydsdale, Otesa Pule, Simaima Taufa
• 2022 Sam Bremner, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Jaime Chapman, Leianne Tufuga, Tarryn Aiken, Raecene McGregor, Millie Boyle, Destiny Brill, Caitlan Johnston, Olivia Kernick, Amber Hall, Keilee Joseph
• 2021 Emma Tonegato, Karina Brown, Jaime Chapman, Shenae Ciesiolka, Teagan Berry, Taliah Fuimaono, Rachael Pearson, Elsie Albert, Lauren Brown, Millie Boyle, Amber Hall, Shaniah Power, Destiny Brill

How the Players’ Dream Team voting works:

• Players are eligible for selection in a position they primarily played for the relevant season. This means a player cannot be eligible for selection in more than one position (excluding Impact Players, who can be eligible for an on-field position as well).
• Each player will be able to nominate a maximum of one player per position, out of the list of eligible players, however, are not able to vote for players on their current team.
• The player/s with the most votes for each position will be selected in the Dream Team.
• Voting is open to all contracted NRLW players.

All The Players’ Awards will be announced on Channel 9 on the following dates:

• October 6: The Players’ Champion (NRL and NRLW)