Awards season in the NRL has arrived for 2024 with new names being crowned and recognised at club events.
Jahrome Hughes has enjoyed a career-best year for Melbourne and claimed his club award after picking up the Dally M Medal.
Lachlan Galvin is set to become the second consecutive rookie to be named the Wests Tigers' Player of the Year after Jahream Bula scooped the award last season.
Meanwhile, Payne Haas will be in search of an unprecedented sixth consecutive Paul Morgan Medal at Brisbane.
The Sporting News will compile every club's award winners below for the 2024 NRL season.
MORE: Which players are leaving the Rabbitohs? | Which players are leaving the Broncos?
BRISBANE BRONCOS – PAUL MORGAN MEDAL
2024 WINNER: PAT CARRIGAN
Other awards:
Player's Player: Pat Carrigan
NRL Rookie of the Year: Blake Mozer
Most consistent: Corey Jensen
Best Back: Kotoni Staggs
Best Forward: Pat Carrigan
Who won last year's award?
Payne Haas was handed an incredible fifth consecutive Paul Morgan Medal as the Broncos surged into the grand final off the back of some powerful displays from the front rower.
Who is Paul Morgan?
Paul 'Porky' Morgan, who died in 2001, represented Queensland as a player but is best remembered as the co-founder of the Broncos.
CANBERRA RAIDERS – MAL MENINGA MEDAL
2024 WINNER: JOE TAPINE
Other awards:
NRL Coaches’ Award – Kaeo Weekes
Peter Mulholland Rookie of the Year – Ethan Strange
Fred Daly Club Person of the Year – Josh Papalii
Who won last year's award?
Joe Tapine claimed his second Mal Meninga Medal in a row after an impressive year for the Raiders, who qualified for the finals with an eighth-place finish.
Who is Mal Meninga?
You may have heard of him. Mal Meninga is the current Kangaroos coach and an Immortal. He was a fairly handy player and dabbled a little bit in the Origin arena as well as Queensland’s coach.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS – DR GEORGE PEPONIS AWARD
2024 WINNER: VILIAME KIKAU
Other awards:
Players’ Player of the Year: Jacob Kiraz
Steve Mortimer Medal – Bulldogs 2024 Rookie of the Year: Bailey Hayward
Carroll & O’Dea Bulldogs 2024 Members Player of the Year: Stephen Crichton
Les Johns Medal for Clubperson of the Year: Stephen Crichton
2024 Bulldogs Coaches Award & Community Service Award: Toby Sexton
Who won last year's award?
Jacob Preston enjoyed a stellar rookie season in 2023 as he was crowned the club's Player of the Year during Cameron Ciraldo's first campaign in charge.
Who is Dr George Peponis?
George Peponis is a Bulldogs legend and former captain, having played 132 career games and won the NSWRFL premiership with the club. On top of this, he captained New South Wales and represented Australia on eight occasions. Post-football, Peponis has served as Chairman of the Bulldogs and Blues.
CRONULLA SHARKS – PORTER-GALLEN MEDAL
2024 WINNER: BLAYKE BRAILEY
Other awards:
Steve Rogers Rookie of the Year: Kayal Iro
Members' Player of the Year: Daniel Atkinson & Tiana Penitani
Tommy Bishop Players' Player: Jesse Ramien
Iron Man Award: Blayke Brailey
Who won last year's award?
Blayke Brailey was handed the award following an impressive season as the Sharks qualified for the finals in sixth place. His 2024 season saw him go back-to-back.
Who is Monty Porter?
Monty Porter was the inaugural captain of the Cronulla Sharks' NSWRL side. Prior to his career with Cronulla, Porter played as a forward for Western Suburbs and St. George.
Who is Paul Gallen?
Paul Gallen spent his entire NRL career in the Shire, clocking 348 appearances for the club with the crowning moment arriving in 2016 when he lifted the premiership. A NSW and Australian representative, Gallen went on to forge a successful career in boxing after his retirement from the game.
DOLPHINS - ARTHUR BEETSON MEDAL
2024 WINNER: MAX PLATH
Other awards:
Adventure Kings Fan-Voted MVP: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Rookie of the Year: Jack Bostock
Best Forward: Max Plath
Best Back: Herbie Farnworth
Most Consistent: Mark Nicholls
Players' Player: Max Plath
Who won last year's award?
Jamayne Isaako won the Player of the Year award during the club's inaugural season in the NRL.
Who is Arthur Beetson?
The legendary Arthur Beetson enjoyed a stellar playing career which saw him feature for the likes of Redcliffe, Eastern Suburbs and Balmain, while also appearing for NSW, QLD and the Kangaroos. The Immortal made history as the first Indigenous Australian to captain a major national side, before going on to have a successful career in coaching.
GOLD COAST TITANS – PAUL BROUGHTON MEDAL
2024 WINNER: KEANO KINI
Other awards:
Members' NRL MVP: Jayden Campbell
NRL Rookie of the Year: Josiah Pahulu
NRL Players' Player: Brian Kelly
Who won last year's award?
Moeaki Fotuaika picked up the award in 2023 after consistently being one of the club's best throughout a difficult campaign that saw Justin Holbrook axed as head coach midway through the year.
Who is Paul Broughton?
Paul Broughton is a former chairman of the Gold Coast Titans and was integral in their foundation and inclusion in the NRL. He is also a former rugby league player and coach, perhaps best remembered for coaching Balmain during the 1970s.
MANLY SEA EAGLES – ROY BULL AWARD
2024 WINNER: TOM TRBOJEVIC
Other awards:
NRL Players’ Player Award: Tom Trbojevic
Ken Arthurson Rising Star Award: Lehi Hopoate
Menzies Medal for the Play of the Year: Jake Trbojevic
Gordon Willoughby Medallion: Daly Cherry-Evans
Manly Mentality Award: Tommy Talau
NRL Doug Daley Club Person of the Year Award: Lachlan Croker
Who won last year's award?
Daly Cherry-Evans claimed the award during what proved to be a disappointing season for the Sea Eagles during Anthony Seibold's first season in charge.
Who is Roy Bull?
Roy Bull was one of the foundation members of the Sea Eagles, having played 13 years for the club since its inception in 1947. He played 182 games for Manly up until his retirement and was the club's first international when he toured New Zealand in 1949.
MELBOURNE STORM - CAMERON SMITH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2024 WINNER: JAHROME HUGHES
Other awards:
Most Improved Player: Trent Loiero
Rookie of the Year: Jack Howarth
Members Player of the Year: Jahrome Hughes
Club Person of the Year: Ross Patison
Best Forward of the Year Award: Harry Grant
Best Back of the Year Award: Will Warbrick
Player of the Year: Jahrome Hughes
Who won last year's award?
Xavier Coates earned the award after bagging 16 tries in 21 appearances for the Storm.
Who is Cameron Smith?
Where to start? Cameron Smith is considered to be one of the greatest to ever strap on the boots after an incredibly decorated career which saw him play over 400 games, win numerous premierships, claim two Dally M Medals and captain his club, state and country.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS – DANNY BUDERUS MEDAL
2024 WINNER: DANE GAGAI
Other awards:
NRL Players' Player: Dane Gagai
Gladiator of the Year: Dane Gagai
NRL Rookie of the Year: Fletcher Sharpe
Community Player of the Year: Dylan Lucas
Knight in Shining Armour: Tyson Frizell
Who won last year's award?
Kalyn Ponga unsurprisingly won the award in the Hunter after a dazzling second half to the campaign which saw him storm to the Dally M Medal.
Who is Danny Buderus?
Danny Buderus is widely regarded as one of the greatest Newcastle players of all time. A NSW and Australian representative player, Buderus played hooker in the Knights' 2001 Grand Final win. He's also one of only three Knights players to win the Dally M Medal.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS – SIMON MANNERING MEDAL
2024 WINNER: MITCH BARNETT
Other awards:
One New Zealand People’s Choice award: Mitch Barnett
NRL Players' Player of the Year: Addin Fonua-Blake
NRL Clubman of the Year: Luke Metcalf
NRL Rookie of the Year: Jacob Laban
Who won last year's award?
Shaun Johnson scooped the award off the back of a career resurgence which almost culminated in a Dally M Medal win.
Who is Simon Mannering?
Simon Mannering is the most-capped Warrior of all time, chalking up 301 appearances for the club between 2005 and 2018. Mannering captained the team in their 2011 NRL Grand Final loss and appeared for the New Zealand international team on 45 occasions - the fourth most of any player.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS – PAUL BOWMAN MEDAL
2024 WINNER: TOM DEARDEN
Other awards:
Club Person of the Year: Coen Hess
NRL Rookie of the Year: Jaxon Purdue
Townsville Bulletin Fan Choice NRL Player of the Year: Tom Dearden
Cowboys Way Award: Jake Granville
Who won last year's award?
Scott Drinkwater claimed the award off the back of a productive personal year for the fullback as he registered 11 tries and 25 assists in 21 appearances.
Who is Paul Bowman?
One of the club's foundation players, Paul Bowman played his entire NRL career with the Cowboys. He chalked up 203 first grade appearances and played in their 2005 Grand Final-losing side.
PARRAMATTA EELS – KEN THORNETT MEDAL
2024 WINNER: REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD
Other awards:
Nathan Hindmarsh NRL Players’ Player: Clint Gutherson
Jack Gibson NRL Coaches Award: Clint Gutherson
Eric Grothe Snr NRL Rookie of the Year: Blaize Talagi
Who won last year's award?
Clint Gutherson enjoyed one of the best years of his career in 2023 despite the Eels failing to qualify for the finals. The fullback finished with 19 tries and 14 assists for the campaign.
Who is Ken Thornett?
Ken Thornett was a dual code star, making his name for the Eels during the 1960s. The 'King of Parramatta' played 136 first-grade games for the club, helping transform the Eels from a struggling team into a competitive side. He was named one of the greatest 100 players in the first 100 years of rugby league.
PENRITH PANTHERS – MERV CARTWRIGHT MEDAL
2024 WINNER: ISAAH YEO
Other awards:
Award for Courage and Determination: Mitch Kenny
Members Player of the Year: Isaah Yeo
Rookie of the Year: Liam Henry
Club Person of the Year: Matt Eisenhuth
Who won last year's award?
Isaah Yeo was as dependable as ever for the reigning premiers in 2023 as they eased their way to a third-straight premiership with the lock constantly among the team's best on-field performers.
Who is Merv Cartwright?
The Cartwright name almost needs no introduction when it comes to Penrith. Merv was a key figure in getting the Panthers first entered into the NSWRL competition in 1997 and was eventually named the club's first secretary. Merv Cartwright is the father of David, Michael, Cliff and John, who all wore the Penrith jersey, whilst his grandson's Jed and Bryce have also played for the Panthers.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS – GEORGE PIGGINS MEDAL
2024 WINNER: JACK WIGHTON
Other awards:
Jack Rayner Players’ Player: Jack Wighton
Bob McCarthy Club Person of the Year: Ben Lovett
John Sattler Rookie of the Year: Jye Gray
Who won last year's award?
Campbell Graham was a standout for the Bunnies in 2023 as he constantly got the side off to good starts in their sets with his strong carries out of yardage, while also offering plenty of threat in attack.
Who is George Piggins?
George Piggins played 118 games for Souths during the 1960s and 70s and went on to coach the club during the late 1980s. However, he is perhaps best remembered for his role in helping the Rabbitohs return to the NRL following the Super League War.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS - PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2024 WINNER: JAYDN SU'A
Other awards:
Club Person of the Year: Ben Murdoch-Masila
Red V Members Player of the Year Award: Zac Lomax
Immortals Trophy: Tom Eisenhuth
Geoff Selby Memorial Trophy for NRL Emerging Talent: Lyhkan King-Togia
Who won last year's award?
Blake Lawrie was an ever-present in the Dragons' pack during a troubled year for the club. The prop averaged a career-high 135 run metres per game, while also leading the way in defence.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS – JACK GIBSON MEDAL
2024 WINNER: JAMES TEDESCO
Who won last year's award?
Lindsay Collins experienced his most consistent season to date since debuting for the Chooks in 2017. The forward became a leader of the pack during his 25 appearances as he averaged 112 run metres per game.
Who is Jack Gibson?
Few names in rugby league are as recognisable as Jack Gibson. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest coaches in Australian rugby league history, guiding the Roosters to two premiership wins and Parramatta to three. In 2008, he was named the coach of the Australian Rugby League's Team of the Century, while this year he was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
WESTS TIGERS – KELLY-BARNES MEDAL
2024 WINNER: TBC
Who won last year's award?
Jahream Bula burst onto the scene in 2023 with some eye-catching displays at fullback for the wooden spooners. After debuting in Round 8, he made the No.1 jersey his own to finish with five tries and eight assists from 18 appearances.
Who are Noel Kelly and Keith Barnes?
Keith Barnes, AKA Golden Boots, was a Test fullback who starred for Balmain for 194 games before going on to coach the Tigers 46 times. In 2007 he was inducted in the Hall of Fame. In 2009, he had a stand at Leichhardt Oval named after him.
Noel Kelly is also a member of the Hall of Fame but comes from the Western Suburbs Magpies. Kelly played 111 times for the Magpies from 1961-69 and coached 85 times from 1966-69.
