Four Rabbitohs Named as Contenders for 2025 Players’ Champion

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has today confirmed the contenders for the prestigious 2025 Players’ Champion award, with four South Sydney Rabbitohs players nominated by their peers.

Contenders are four players from every team, eligible to be voted by NRL and NRLW players as their competition’s best performer. Jye Gray, Jai Arrow, Tallis Duncan, and Keaon Koloamatangi have been recognised as the Rabbitohs’ representatives in this year’s process, putting them in the running for one of rugby league’s most respected honours.

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.

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.

The 68 Contenders for the 2025 Players’ Champion (NRL)

Brisbane Broncos
Payne Haas
Kotoni Staggs
Patrick Carrigan
Gehamat Shibasaki

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Jacob Preston
Stephen Crichton
Matt Burton
Max King

North Queensland Cowboys
Tom Dearden
Coen Hess
Scott Drinkwater
Jaxon Purdue

The Dolphins
Herbie Farnworth
Isaiya Katoa
Kurt Donoghoe
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

St George Illawarra Dragons
Clint Gutherson
Jaydn Su’A
Damien Cook
Moses Suli

Parramatta Eels
Jack Williams
Isaiah Iongi
Zac Lomax
Mitchell Moses

Newcastle Knights
Dane Gagai
Dylan Lucas
Fletcher Sharpe
Bradman Best

Penrith Panthers
Dylan Edwards
Nathan Cleary (2020 Players’ Champion)
Isaah Yeo
Mitch Kenny

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jye Gray
Jai Arrow
Tallis Duncan
Keaon Koloamatangi

Canberra Raiders
Tom Starling
Ethan Strange
Joseph Tapine
Kaeo Weekes

Sydney Roosters
James Tedesco (2017, 2019, 2022 Players’ Champion)
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Naufahu Whyte
Robert Toia

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Toluta’u Koula
Reuben Garrick
Ethan Bullemor
Daly Cherry-Evans

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Addin Fonua-Blake
Blayke Brailey
William Kennedy
Ronaldo Mulitalo

Melbourne Storm
Xavier Coates
Eliesa Katoa
Harry Grant
Trent Loiero

Gold Coast Titans
AJ Brimson
Jayden Campbell
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Beau Fermor

New Zealand Warriors
Erin Clark
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Jackson Ford
Wayde Egan

Wests Tigers
Jahream Bula
Terrell May
Jarome Luai
Adam Doueihi