NRL 2024 awards: The best and worst of the NRL this season

The NRL regular season will come to an end this weekend. These are the moments and players who lit up - and stunk up - the 2024 season.

Best recruit

Winner: Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)

Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: Crichton’s impact at the Bulldogs, both on and off the field, has transformed the perennial strugglers into genuine contenders. His leadership is one of his greatest assets, providing the Bulldogs with an identity they have lacked for several years. The Panthers have missed him dearly.

2023 winner: Reece Walsh (Broncos)

Honourable mentions: Spencer Leniu, Herbie Farnworth, Connor Tracey, Bronson Xerri, Kurt Mann.

Best value for money recruit

Winner: Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs)

Bronson Xerri has made a successful return to rugby league this season.Credit: Getty

The verdict: Returned to the NRL after almost four years in the wilderness due to a positive performance enhancing drug test. At $300,000, Xerri has been one of the best centres in the competition and provided the Bulldogs with great value for money.

2023 winner: J’maine Hopgood (Parramatta Eels)

Honourable mention: Connor Tracey, Paul Alamoti, Luke Brooks, Nathan Brown, Kaeo Weekes, Shawn Blore, Kurt Mann

Least value for money signing

Winner: Jayden Sullivan (Wests Tigers)

Jayden Sullivan hasn’t had a happy time at the Wests Tigers.Credit: Getty

The verdict: Sullivan joined the club from the Dragons in the off-season on a deal worth around $2.2 million over four years. Injuries and form have limited him to just nine games this year. The Tigers began actively shopping him to rival clubs in May.

2023 winner: Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs)

Most improved player

Winner: Zac Lomax (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Zac Lomax has been the Dragons’ best player in 2024.Credit: Getty

The verdict: Made the transition from centre to wing this year and has finally realised his potential. Managed to overcome plenty of noise around his future to produce a stretch of form that saw him make his Origin debut.

2023 winner: Wayde Egan (New Zealand Warriors)

Honourable mentions: Mitch Barnett (Warriors), Connor Watson (Roosters), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Terrell May (Roosters)

Rookie of the year

Winner: Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers)

Lachlan Galvin is still only a teenager.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: Made his debut in the opening round and hasn’t looked out of place in the NRL despite being just 18 years of age. Regarded as a superstar of the future, Galvin has been the shining light in another disappointing Tigers campaign.

2023 winner: Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)

Honourable mentions: Sua Fa’alogo (Storm), Blaize Talagi (Eels), Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Jack Bostock (Dolphins) and Ethan Strange (Raiders).

Most underwhelming player

Winner: Reece Walsh

Reece Walsh has struggled to recapture his best form from last season.Credit: Getty

The verdict: Came into the season as the biggest name in the game and was expected to lead the Broncos to grand final glory. Injuries have played their part in his inability to reach those lofty heights, but even in the games he played he didn’t look like the Walsh of ’23.

2023 winner: Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles)

Biggest underachieving team

Winner: Brisbane Broncos

Adam Reynolds and his Brisbane Broncos’ teammates have been left to ponder what went wrong in 2024.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: It’s been nothing short of a disaster for Brisbane this season. They’ve compounded losing the unlosable grand final with a performance that has left coach Kevin Walters fighting to save his job in the early rounds of 2025. Injuries have played a significant role, but it’s not the only factor.

2023 winner: South Sydney Rabbitohs

Honourable mentions: South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors

Biggest overachieving team

Winner: Canterbury Bulldogs

Bulldogs players celebrate a golden point win over Cronulla.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: The Bulldogs have been the feel-good story of the year. They were ridiculed by many for their recruitment in the off-season but have found a defensive hard edge under coach Cameron Ciraldo that has seen them return to finals football for the first time in since 2016.

2023 winner: New Zealand Warriors

Honourable mentions: Dolphins

Second year syndrome award

Winner: Andrew Webster (Warriors)

Andrew Webster and Shaun Johnson.Credit: Getty

The verdict: Won the Dally M coach of the year award last year for his efforts resurrecting the Warriors. Things haven’t gone to script in 2024 with many teams exposing the Warriors as they dropped out of the top four into 13th.

2023 winner: Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs)

Honourable mention: Siua Wong (Roosters)

Coach of the year

Winner: Cameron Ciraldo (Bulldogs)

Cameron Ciraldo has had a huge influence on the Bulldogs.Credit: Kate Geraghty

The verdict: Faced a tough initiation in his first season at the Bulldogs last year. He’s cleaned out the players he believes were hindering him from developing the required culture and replaced them with season pros. Bulldogs fans finally saw what the fuss is all about when it comes to Ciraldo.

2023 winner: Andrew Webster (Warriors)

Honurable mentions: Craig Bellamy

Team of the year

Sydney Morning Herald’s 2024 NRL team of the year

James Tedesco (Roosters)
Zac Lomax (Dragons)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs)
Jarome Luai (Panthers)
Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
Mitch Barnett (Warriors)
Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs)
Joe Tapine (Raiders)
Angus Crichton (Roosters)
Eliesa Katoa (Storm)
Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
Connor Watson (Roosters)
Spencer Leniu (Roosters)
Briton Nikora (Sharks)
Tyran Wishart (Storm)

Coach: Cameron Ciraldo (Bulldogs)

2023 team: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Bradman Best, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Addin Fonua-Blake, 11. David Fifita, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Patrick Carrigan. Coach: Andrew Webster.

The Steve Menzies award: Veteran player of the year

Winner: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

Daly Cherry-Evans is still one of the best halfbacks in the NRL.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: At 35 years of age, Cherry-Evans is showing no signs of slowing down. He partnered well with Luke Brooks in a new-look halves combination and has led Manly back to finals football.

2023 winner: Shaun Johnson (Warriors)

The Ray Warren award: ‘That’s not a try, that’s a miracle’ moment of the year

Winner: Xavier Coates (Storm)

Melbourne winger Xavier Coates scored a miracle try with 25 seconds left on the clock to rob the Warriors of victory in a pulsating NRL clash at AAMI Park.Credit: Nine

The verdict: The last-ditch effort from Xavier Coates to win the game against the Warriors will go down as one of the most acrobatic tries in the history of the sport.

2023 winner: Alex Twal (Wests Tigers)

Honourable mention: Dallin Watene Zelezniak scoring the match-winning try in the final seconds of the game against Cronulla off Shaun Johnson’s last pass in the NRL.

The Ivan Cleary award: “Off the bus” moment of the year

Winner: Josh Schuster

The verdict: Injuries and personal issues led to Josh Schuster quitting his lucrative Manly deal less than a year after signing an $800,000-a-season extension. He did not play in the NRL in 2024, quitting after a handful of NSW Cup games. He has since tried to get his head in the right space and has been picked up by South Sydney for next year.

2023 winner: Sam Burgess

The Geoff Toovey award: ‘There needs to be an investigation’ moment of the year

Winner: Jackson Topine

Former Canterbury player Jackson Topine.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: Alarm bells began ringing around NRL clubs when news of Jackson Topine taking the Bulldogs to court over the training methodology being implemented at Canterbury. If Topine wins in court, it’s going to have a monumental impact on the future of the sport.

2023 winner: Ryan Matterson taking a three-game suspension over a fine.

Honourable mention: Ronald Volkman/St George Illawarra Dragons/ New Zealand Warriors/Mario Tartak.

The Daly Cherry-Evans award: Biggest backflip of the year

Winner: David Fifita

David Fifita upset Roosters supremo Nick Politis.Credit: NRL Photos/Getty

The verdict: This was arguably one of the biggest stories of the year. Fifita turned down the three-time reigning premiers Penrith to agree to a deal with the Roosters, only to renege on the deal to stay with the struggling Titans. The snowball effect on the Roosters’ roster management was significant and cost them Sitili Tupouniua.

2023 winner: Wests Tigers and Tim Sheens

Honourable mentions: Luke Keary (backed out of deal with Roosters for next season to retire, before having a change of heart and signing a deal with Catalans in the Super League).

The Cooper Cronk award: ‘The every sinew in my body coming together in one perfect whole’ moment of the year

Winner: Mitchell Moses

Man of the match Mitchell Moses had the game of this life for the Blues at the MCG.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: Moses produced a 10 out of 10 performance in game two of the State of Origin series to lead NSW to victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was lauded as one of the most dominant Origin performances by an individual by some of the game’s greats.

2023 winner: Nathan Cleary (40 metre field goal against Eels to take match to golden point).

The Allan Langer award: Best comeback story of the year

Winner: Angus Crichton

Angus Crichton was very close to completing a move to rugby in 2023.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: Coming back from a near career-ending mental health battle, Crichton went from unwanted to signing a new deal as one of the highest paid backrowers in the competition. He has been one of the best players in the competition, also winning the Wally Lewis Medal for his efforts in Origin.

Honourable mentions: Connor Watson, Bronson Xerri, North Sydney Bears, Tevita Pangai Junior, Matt Burton’s bombs, Brian Smith applying for Eels job.

The NSW Cup award: Best NRL player to feature in reserve grade

Winner: Connor Watson

Connor Watson made his Origin debut this year.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: This could have also been given to Crichton, who started the year in NSW Cup, but there needs to be some recognition of what Connor Watson did in 2024 coming back from a serious knee injury. He, too, started the year in NSW Cup.

2023 winner: Greg Marzhew

Honourable mentions: Angus Crichton

The Manly Pride award: Biggest jersey scandal of the year

Winner: St George Illawarra ‘Dargons’

Jack Bird could be on his way out of the Dragons.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: We thought it would be hard to top the Wests Tigers using American soldiers on the front of their ANZAC jersey last year, but the Dragons - or ‘Dargons’ - spelling the club’s own name wrong on Jack Bird’s commemorative 150th game jersey is a ripper.

2023 winner: Wests Tigers

The Jamie Goddard award: Best involvement in a melee

Winner: Haumole Olakau’atu

Haumole Olakau’atu became involved in a melee as a 19th manCredit: Nine

The verdict: The ‘Just when you thought you’d seen it all in Origin’, the NSW Blues 19th man joins in a sideline melee while wearing a blazer and dress pants. He was banished from the field of play, denied the opportunity to lift the shield and was suspended.

Honourable mentions: Patrick Carrigan v Adam Reynolds

The Gyngell-Packer award: Best feud of the year

Winner: Braith Anasta v Latrell Mitchell

Braith Anasta and Latrell Mitchell.Credit: Marija Ercegovac

The verdict: What began as a nice night out at popular Surry Hills restaurant, Chin Chin, ended in Mitchell asking Anasta outside. It ended up in the news the following morning thanks to Danny Weidler. Mitchell has had a year to forget both on the field and off the field apart from one starring cameo in Origin. His heated street side argument with the NRL 360 host about his views on Fox Sports was one of the highest rating stories of the year.

Honourable mentions: Anthony Mundine v Latrell Mitchell, Nick Politis v Isaac Moses, Jack Hetherington v Reed Mahoney

The Phil Gould award: ‘No, no, no, no, no’ moment of the year

Winner: Fox Sports 1 in America.

Alex Johnston and Richard Kennar celebrate during their clash with the Roosters in Vegas.Credit: Getty

The verdict: For all the hype heading into Las Vegas about capturing the American audience, it couldn’t have got off to a worse start. Americans missed the first 17 minutes of the Manly-Rabbitohs game, with Fox Sports 1 deciding to stick with the college basketball game between Georgetown Hoyas and Xavier Musketeers that had gone into overtime.

2023 winner: Tom Trbojevic and Damien Cook (Origin)

The Oshay Olay award: The ‘regret what you said’ moment of the year

Winner: Kevin Walters

Kevin Walters on the red carpet in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty

The verdict: After Brisbane’s round 25 win over Parramatta, the Broncos coach was asked about his team’s slim finals hopes. He told journalists in the post-match press conference: “There is no ‘if’ here, we’re going to make the finals”. A week later their season ended in a horrible outing against the Dolphins.

2023 winner: Lee Hagipantelis (Assurances over Tim Sheens’ future as Tigers coach).

The Anthony Mundine award: Most controversial quote of the year

Winner: Michael Maguire

Michael Maguire addresses the media during this year’s Origin series.Credit: SMH

The verdict: No one could have ever predicted Maguire winning this award given his history of clichés and dull press conferences, but the NSW coach’s gamble leading into Origin II proved to be a success. His claims that Queenslanders were “living in glasshouses” ignited the Origin series and appeared to get in the head of his counterpart, Billy Slater.

2023 winner: Phil Gould (attack on Joseph Suaalii leaving rugby league).

The Gorden Tallis award: Player who most wanted out of their club

Winner: Zac Lomax

Zac Lomax of the Dragons looks dejected against the Dolphins.Credit: Zain Mohammed/NRL Photos

The verdict: Demanded to leave the Dragons to join the Eels next year. Most of the talk around his reasoning revolved around his positional switch from centre to wing, but his discontent with the Dragons began under ex-coach Anthony Griffin the previous year.

2023 winner: Ben Hunt

Honourable mention: Lachlan Galvin, David Nofoaluma, John Bateman, Blaize Talagi, Stefano Utoikamanu

The Isaac Moses award: Most controversial contract clause of the year

Winner: Stefano Utoikamanu

Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: It’s the most talked about clause in history. An option in Utoikamanu’s favour that saw him become a free agent if he didn’t play two Origin games this year or feature in finals football. The Tigers tried to get ahead of a potential exit by offering him a five year, $4 million deal. In the end he took two less years and less money per season to join the Storm in 2025. He was booed by the Tigers faithful for his defection.

Honourable mention: Adam O’Brien’s top 12 clause

The ‘weak-gutted dog’ award: Biggest sledge of the year

Winner: Nate Myles

Queensland assistant coach Nate Myles sledges Joseph Suaalii after he was sent off in game one.Credit: Channel Nine

The verdict: The Queensland assistant coach told Joseph Suaalii: “I hope you f----- enjoyed your debut” as the NSW centre made his way off Accor Stadium after a high shot that knocked out Reece Walsh inside seven minutes in game one of the series.

2023 winner: Rod Churchill (Attack on Latrell Mitchell)

The Arizona award: Worst cover-up attempt of the year

Winner: Wests Tigers

John Bateman left to Warrington mid season.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: It was sold as a strategic salary cap move, but there’s more to the release of John Bateman to the Super League than just money. He had his nose out of joint at the club and let his feelings be known. He still has two years to run on his deal on big money. He has no intention of playing for the Tigers again but you can be assured he won’t be walking away without a pay day.

2023 winner: Reece Walsh and the Broncos (The reason given for Walsh’s abuse of the referee).

The Des Hasler award: Best secret meeting of the year

Winner: Parramatta Eels and Wayne Bennett

Brad Arthur and Wayne BennettCredit: Getty

The verdict: The Eels managed to keep a 19-day pursuit of Wayne Bennett a closely guarded secret. When they eventually pulled the trigger on incumbent Brad Arthur, club powerbrokers revealed their failed pursuit of Bennett, including trips to meet the super coach at his Queensland farm.

2023 winner: The Gold Coast Titans and Des Hasler

Honourable mention: James Fisher-Harris and the Warriors

The Phil Gould II award: Worst secret meeting of the year

Winner: NRL players at the US Consulate

Latrell Mitchell leaves the US Consulate with permission to travel to play in Las Vegas.Credit: Sam Mooy

The verdict: All NRL players with chequered histories had to line up outside the US consulate in Sydney to gain entry into the States for the historic Las Vegas double header. They included Reece Walsh, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Luke Brooks and Latrell Mitchell.

Honourable mention: Wayne Bennett and South Sydney Rabbitohs, Zac Lomax and Brad Arthur, Shane Richardson and Super League clubs

The Russell Crowe award: Movie scene moment of the year

Winner: Taylan May

Taylan May (centre) walks into the board meeting flanked by his legal team earlier this month.Credit: Steven Siewert

The verdict: Vision of a freshly-inked Taylan May walking 300 metres into the Panthers boardroom to stare down club powerbrokers with an entourage of lawyers looked like something out of Suits. May was issued a show-cause notice by the Panthers, who have since parted ways with the outside back just a few months after signing a two-year extension.

The Walking Dead award: Person who was gone before they began

Winner: David Nofoaluma

David Nofoaluma felt his departure from Wests Tigers was a positive for both parties.Credit: Getty

The verdict: Nofoaluma’s acceptance of a $300,000 payout ended an ugly standoff between the Wests Tigers and its greatest tryscorer. Nofoaluma missed a number of training sessions in response to perceived mistreatment of the club. There was no coming back from complaints he made to the RLPA about coach Benji Marshall.

Honourable mentions: Jason Demetriou

2023 winner: Anthony Griffin

The sombrero award: Player signing that didn’t quite add up

Winner: Lewis Dodd and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

South Sydney-bound halfback Lewis Dodd.Credit: Getty

The verdict: The Rabbitohs, pressed for room in their salary cap, flew overseas without a head coach in position and signed St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd on a deal worth around $600,000. They then tapped Lachlan Ilias, who is on a contract worth close to $500,000 next year and haven’t been able to move him on. They had to release veteran Damien Cook as well.

2023 winner: Jack Wighton and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Buddy Franklin award: Best leap of the year

Winner: Zac Lomax in Origin

Zac Lomax soars over Murray Taulagi to score his first try of the night.Credit: Getty Images

The verdict: Lomax produced a moment at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that even the Victorians stood up and applauded, pulling off a ‘speccy’ over the top of Murray Taulagi.

2023 winner: Lindsay Collins (Origin)

The James Graham award: Best gesture to help a club

Winner: Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

Tom Trbojevic leaves the field after suffering a hamstring injury.Credit: NRL Photos

The verdict: James Graham once volunteered to take a pay cut to keep Josh Reynolds at the Bulldogs. Tom Trbojevic’s offer to Manly to take a $750,000 pay cut was as selfless as we’ve seen in the NRL. The governing body rejected the plan to have it removed from the salary cap in a bid to spend money on other players.

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