Alani Malupo and Ellie Niki take home best and fairest

A Casuarina Cougar and a Darwin Dragon have been crowned this year’s best male and female players, etching their names in the history books. See all the winners from NTRU’s night of nights.

Ellie Niki and Alani Malupo won 2024's best and fairest.

Casuarina Cougars’ captain Alani Malupo and Darwin Dragons’ weapon Ellie Niki shared the spoils on Sunday as they took out the DRU’s most coveted accolades.

Malupo was the consensus best A-grade player all year, putting together another stellar season at lock to claim the Eric Johnston Medal.

Likewise, it was Dragons’ Ellie Niki who claimed the Women’s Naomi Roberts Best & Fairest Award, following yet another brilliant season from the multi-code star.

Up and comer Angus Cram was honoured with the Junior Referee of the Year & Most Improved Referee, following his NTRRA Junior Referee of the Year Award last season.

Since winning the award last year, Cram has continued his upward trajectory, refereeing the Southern States Championships U14s Final as well as the Queensland Schools Rugby U12s Championship Final.

And community favourite Luigi Andreoli was crowned the Volunteer of the Year after his hands-on support in improving facilities at Rugby Park and increased engagement with the pathway program for both juniors and seniors, further showcased his passion for elevating the rugby experience for all involved.

ALL THE WINNERS

Junior Referee of the Year & Most Improved Referee

– Angus Cram

Referee of the Year

– Robbie Taylor

Volunteer of the Year

– Luigi Andreoli (Casuarina Cougars)

Vince Kelly Regional Achievement Award

– Katherine Roos

Junior Coach of the Year

– Stephen Buba (Casuarina Cougars U13 Boys)

Senior Coach of the Year

– Michael Jennings (University Pirates)

Bo De La Cruz Emerging Talent Award

– Paige McCourt (University Pirates)

Tawera Kerr-Barlow Rising Star Award

– Anthony Paolucci (University Pirates)

NT Bitumen & Asphalt B-grade Men’s Top Try Scorer

– Caleb Niki, 9 tries (Darwin Dragons)

NT Bitumen & Asphalt B-grade Men’s Top Points Scorer

– Hayden Austine, 59 points (Swampdogs)

Dan Panapa Best & Fairest Award (B-grade)

– Anthony Busch (Katherine Roos)

Women’s Top Try Scorer

– Jacinda Summers, 14 tries (Darwin Dragons)

Women’s Top Points Scorer

– Elisa Niki, 89 points (Darwin Dragons)

Naomi Roberts Best & Fairest Award (Women’s)

– Elisa Niki (Darwin Dragons)

XXXX A-grade Men’s Top Try Scorer

– Kanae Gimini, 12 tries (South Darwin Rabbitohs)

XXXX A-grade Men’s Top Point Scorer

– Trey Crowley, 136 points (Casuarina Cougars)

Eric Johnston Medal (A-grade Men’s Best & Fairest)

– Alani Malupo (Casuarina Cougars)

Women’s Team of the Year

1. Jordan Lewis (Darwin Dragons)

2. Brittany Kassman (University Pirates)

3. Sharon Jennings (University Pirates)

4. Laura Luchetti (Casuarina Cougars)

5. Cassiela Wapau (Darwin Dragons)

6. Brielle Felton (Palmerston Crocs)

7. Paige McCourt (University Pirates)

8. Ayesha Kay (Darwin Dragons)

9. Emma Ross (South Darwin Rabbitohs)

10. Elisa Niki (Darwin Dragons)

11. Holly Lovatt (University Pirates)

12. Jacinda Summers (Darwin Dragons)

Men’s Team of the Year

1. Anthony Paolucci (University Pirates)

2. Hosea Fotukava (Casuarina Cougars)

3. Matthew Barker (Palmerston Crocs)

4. Euan Mckillop (Darwin Dragons)

5. Ethan Peters (Swampdogs)

6. Alani Malupo (Casuarina Cougars)

7. Ryan Oakley (University Pirates)

8. Hirini Murfitt (Darwin Dragons)

9. Anthony Busch (Katherine Roos)

10. Ethan Douglas (Palmerston Crocs)

11. Caleb Niki (Darwin Dragons)

12. Vincent Mehn (South Darwin Rabbitohs)

13. Simaika Salaa (Casuarina Cougars)

14. Trey Crowley (Casuarina Cougars)

15. Robert Butcher (University Pirates)