The Rugby League Players’ Association is pleased to announce Zahara Temara as the inaugural winner of the NRLW Player of the Month award and Shaun Johnson as the NRL winner for July, as voted by the players.
Temara has made a blistering start to her career in green. The RLPA Delegate and the Canberra Raiders co-captain, became the first NRLW player to score 100 points.
Johnson continued his brilliant season in July. He played a pivotal role in his Warriors side winning all three of their games, with four try assists to his name.
The NRLW nominees included the Gold Coast Titans Shannon Mato and Evania Pelite, and Raiders co-captain Simaima Taufa. A nomination panel of former players selected the nominees: Channel Nine’s Allana Ferguson, Krystal Rota and Kody House.
The other NRL nominees were Harry Grant, Kalyn Ponga, Adam Reynolds, and Isaah Yeo. A nomination panel of former players selected the nominees: Dene Halatau, James Graham, and Channel Nine’s Andrew Johns.
All NRL and NRLW players were eligible to vote for their respective POTM awards.
RLPA CEO Clint Newton praised Temara and Johnson for their recognition by their peers as the Players of the Month:
“On behalf of the RLPA I would like to congratulate Zahara and Shaun for this outstanding honour. To be named by your peers as the best player in the competition for the month is high praise in two competitions stacked with incredible talent and quality performances every game.
“Zahara has been a remarkable player in the NRLW for many seasons now, and she has hit the ground running at her new club the Raiders. To see her continue to flourish in her career and be recognised this way makes us all proud and privileged to have her play our great game.
“Shaun is in peak form this season, leading the Warriors with his sensational performances. He has been such an unbelievable player for so long, and to see him playing such good rugby league, and with a huge smile on his face, shows just how lucky we are to be able to sit back and watch him.”
“The players have voted two deserving players as their Players of the Month, and we also congratulate their fellow nominees Shannon, Evania, Simaima, Harry, Kalyn, Adam and Isaah.”
