Players pick Owen and Galvin as their best Rookies

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to announce Rory Owen and Lachlan Galvin as the Players’ 2024 Rookie of the Year winners from the NRLW and NRL competitions.

Parramatta Eels centre Rory Owen made her debut in Round 1 of the 2024 NRLW season, making an immediate impact by scoring against the eventual minor premiers the Brisbane Broncos. Playing every game at starting centre for the Eels, Rory finished the regular season with five tries, seven linebreaks, and averaged 109 running metres per game.

Wests Tigers five-eighth Lachlan Galvin made his debut in Round 2 of the NRL season. By the end of the regular season, Lachlan had played 21 games for the Tigers, scored four tries, 16 try assists and averaged 130 running metres per game.

Lachlan’s Players’ Rookie of the Year win means a Wests Tigers player has won the award in consecutive years, following Jahream Bula’s player-voted win in 2023. Harry Grant also won the Players’ Rookie of the Year while playing for the Wests Tigers in 2020.

“On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to congratulate Rory and Lachlan on being voted by their peers as the Players’ Rookie of the Year winners for 2024,” said Clint Newton, the CEO of the RLPA.

“Entering, arguably, the most demanding elite competition like the NRLW or NRL is a long way from ever being described as easy, particularly at the young ages of 20 and 18 that Rory and Lachlan did, respectively. Seeing young talent burst onto the scene excites fans, team-mates and even opposition players, and Rory and Lachlan have both made a huge impact in their rookie seasons.

“We believe Rory and Lachlan have huge futures at the elite level or rugby league and this recognition from their playing peers proves how bright those futures are.

“I would also like to congratulate the Players’ Rookie of the Year finalists and all rookies for their contributions in continuing to grow and progress the NRL and NRLW competitions with two more groundbreaking seasons.”

Rory’s teammate and RLPA Delegate Abbi Church praised Rory’s for her impressive rookie season.

“I’m so incredibly proud of Rory. She didn’t come from a rugby league background but has certainly cemented her name in the game,” said Abbi.

“She has worked so hard this season and to see her efforts recognised by this Rookie of the Year award is amazing and very well deserved.

“Rory is certainly a special talent on the field, but an even better person that always brightens the room with her bubbly personality. We knew from day one that Rory was going to have a remarkable career, and I believe that the NRLW has not yet seen what Rory is truly capable of.”

Lachlan Galvin’s captain and RLPA Delegate Api Koroisau praised the youngsters debut season in the NRL and his Players’ Rookie of the Year award win.

“Lachlan has done so well in a year that was very difficult overall for the team. He is such a tough kid and no matter what happened he kept turning up week after week and game after game,” said Api Koroisau.

“It is great to see his talent and performances be recognised by players from other teams with this Rookie of the Year award. I could not be prouder of him as a captain, teammate and friend. To see Jahream win this same award last year and Lachlan this year, we are happy to see a bright future with these great young players at our club.”

Finalists for the 2024 Players’ Rookie of the Year:

The top five most-voted players from the NRL and NRLW competitions out of all the eligible players:

NRL Finalists

Lachlan Galvin
Sua Fa’alogo
Kayal Iro
Max Plath
Lehi Hopoate

NRLW Finalists

Rory Owen
Stacey Waaka
Kasey Reh
Tenika Willison
Georgia Hannaway

Previous Winners of the Players’ Rookie of the Year:

• 2023 Annessa Biddle & Jahream Bula
• 2022 Gayle Broughton & Jeremiah Nanai
• 2021 Destiny Brill & Reece Walsh
• 2020 Harry Grant
• 2019 Payne Haas
• 2018 Victor Radley
• 2017 Nick Cotric
• 2016 Cody Walker
• 2015 Cameron Munster
• 2014 Luke Brooks
• 2013 George Burgess
• 2012 Josh Mansour & Adam Reynolds
• 2011 Daly Cherry-Evans
• 2010 Trent Hodkinson
• 2009 Josh Dugan
• 2008 David Williams
• 2007 Michael Jennings
• 2006 Darius Boyd
• 2005 Ben Smith
• 2004 Sonny-Bill Williams

How the Players’ Rookie of the Year voting works:

• Voting (in their applicable competition) is open to all contracted NRL & NRLW players, with each player selecting one (1) opposition player from their competition.
• Rookies must have played less than five (5) NRL games or less than three (3) NRLW games to be eligible for voting.
• Players are not penalised for any suspensions and/or fines received during the course of the season. 
• Players cannot vote for their teammates.
• The player with the most number of votes is awarded the Players’ Rookie of the Year.

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

• September 30: Players’ Dream Team from the NRLW
• October 6: The Players’ Champion (NRL and NRLW)

Rory Owen wins the RLPA Players’ 2024 Rookie of the Year