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Crosscode superstar’s statement; incredible comeback stuns — NRLW Dally M State of Play
Raiders coach fumes over Bunker decision | 05:52The 2026 NRLW season will finish with an intriguing Grand Final rematch, brimming with established superstars. Get the expert take on NRL Grand Final Day with FOX LEAGUE’s extensive coverage, plus full and mini replays available post-game on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo?
While many of the veteran Broncos, and Roosters, delivered big performances this season, new contenders emerged all across the competition as players to watch. From a skilful, and speedy, rugby recruit, to a new second-row powerhouse, who are the top players in the running across every position for the 2026 NRLW team of the year?
Tamika Upton , Sheridan Gallagher , Abbi Church , Lucy Spain Terrific Tamika will once again make a charge for not just fullback of the year, but another possible NRLW Dally M player of the year award. Leading the NRLW Dally M voting before it closed, the Broncos number one remains as lethal as ever, combining with new Broncos half, Jesse Southwell, to torment defenders from everywhere.
Sheridan Gallagher has made the fullback spot her own at the Raiders, with the positional change at her new club seeing her lead run metres across the entire competition. Gallagher also proved to be a key factor in the Raiders’ finals push this season.
Abbi Church once again impressed with her relentless tenacity in a struggling Eels outfit, while young Knights star, Lucy Spain, showed signs of brilliance reminiscent of Upton, and a natural speed likely to be on highlight reels for seasons to come. Mackenzie Wiki , Jayme Fressard Mercedez Taulelei-Siala , Brydie Parker , Julia Robinson* Carrying a famous rugby league name, Mackenzie Wiki has more than lived up to expectations.
A powerful runner of the ball, Wiki was often putting the finishing touches on Canberra’s best attacking raids this season. Joining Wiki in the RLPA selected wingers of the year, is try-scoring Rooster, Byrdie Parker.
However, fellow Roosters winger Jayme Fressard also makes a case for taking out honours in this position. Fressard missed games with injury, yet still powered her way across the line for 12 tries, fourth overall in the competition. Julia Robinson remains a formidable attacking, and defensive weapon, however has shuffled between centre and winger this year while Mercedez Taulelei-Siala led the way for Newcastle in try scoring efforts this season.
Jess Sergis , Rory Owen , Jaime Chapman , Stacey Waaka , Isabelle Kelly In an already decorated career, Jessica Sergis has uncovered another gear in 2026, edging past fellow superstar Rooster, Isabelle Kelly. In a competition where the centre position is stacked with many of the best players in the league, Sergis has still managed to stand out, racing away for 17 tries — the most in the competition.
Rory Owen proved once again to be a shining light for Parramatta, with her impressive footwork continuing to dazzle defenders. Jaime Chapman was in the thick of all the Titans excellence in 2026, not just scoring tries but helping set them up, and often setting a standard in the Gold Coast defensive line, coming in with some big tackles.
Meanwhile, in a disappointing Warriors season, the returning rugby recruit, Stacey Waaka, remained in top form. Shuffling from wing to centre, Waaka was a stand out in every game she played this season, scoring some of the best NRLW tries of the year, taking the best carries, excelling under the high ball, and setting up fellow Warriors to score. FIVE-EIGHTHWhile the Broncos may have ended the Titans campaign, it’s hard to understate Tegan Levi’s impact on the competition this season.
Partnering superbly with Lauren Brown, Levi was an absolute menace to every defensive line in the NRLW. Whether breaking the line with pure speed, or putting pinpoint grubber kicks through for a try, Levi left a huge impact on every game she played. Levi’s effort areas were also key as she put in big numbers across every facet of the game, before providing the flashiest of finishing touches.
Meanwhile, the often unsung Roosters star, Jocelyn Kelleher, continued to rack up more points in her lead as highest point scorer in the history of the competition. An imposing boot, not just with goal kicking, but with towering bombs, Kelleher has also proven effective taking on the line herself for a try if not setting them up. Veteran Bronco, Ali Brigginshaw, was badly missed while suspended for three games this season, her impact clear to see across the Broncos results.
Brigginshaw’s welcomed return helped see the Premiers push past the Titans into another Grand Final. Tarryn Aiken , Jesse Southwell , Zehara Temara , Lauren Brown , Rosie Kelly , Raecene McGregor After an ACL injury on the eve of the finals last season, Tarryn Aiken’s return for the Roosters has not skipped a beat in 2026. The crafty halfback also making a case for player of the year, amongst a stacked race for halfback of the year.
Aiken’s passing game, game management, and darting runs continue to have the tri-colours firing on the front foot. The Broncos welcomed former Knight, Jesse Southwell, into halfback, and she has looked right at home. A playmaker some have picked as the most skilful in the game, Southwell’s combination with Upton has been superb, while she also continues to deliver one of the most complete kicking games in the NRLW.
Zehara Temara proved a steady guide for the finals bound Raiders, Lauren Brown’s top tier kicking game was key for the high-flying Titans, and Raecene McGregor’s first half of the season had her winding back the clock, and setting up the Tigers for a far greater year. Rosie Kelly also emerged as a special halves talent to keep an eye on, having a hand in the Cowboys best moments this season.
HOOKER Contenders: Quincy Dodd , Jada Ferguson , Olivia Higgins , Keeley Nizza It’s no secret the Cronulla Sharks struggled to find their way in 2026, but if there was a consistent shining light, it was Quincy Dodd. A tackling machine, Dodd threw herself into every challenge in a tough year.
Jada Ferguson and Keely Nizza continued the impressive service for their respective Grand Final bound teams, while Olivia Higgins emerged as a stand out number nine, linking well with key Knights to land a finals spot. Contenders: Millie Elliott , Sarah Togatuki , Laikha Clarke Chelsea Lenarduzzi Returning after having a baby, Millie Elliott is a key reason the Roosters are undefeated heading into the 2026 Grand Final.
Her powerful run metres, and match experience, see Elliott as a crucial piece of the Roosters premiership hopes. After announcing her retirement after this season, Elliott will leave at the very top of her game. Sarah Togatuki’s presence in the middle of the Tigers pack proved crucial in the side rising from the bottom of the ladder to a finals spot. A strong workhorse, Togatuki was a stand out in the front row.
Chelsea Lenarduzzi, having played every year of the competition, has also wound back the clock to be an imposing force for the Broncos. No-nonsense Laikha Clarke was yet another Titans success story, showing impressive footwork for a front-rower.
SECOND ROWAnother reason the Titans finished in second spot this year, was the great success of the positional change for Evania Isa’ako. Taking on an unusual change along with navigating the return after having a baby, Isa’ako efforts have been outstanding. Shaylee Bent was a crucial new addition to the Wests Tigers team this season, adding a strong attacking option on the edges.
Meanwhile, the ever present Romy Teitzel continues to get under the skin of the opposition, fighting for ever metre. Contenders: Olivia Kernick , Sienna Lofipo , Holli Wheeler , Simaima Taufua Former NRLW Dally M player of the year, Liv Kernick, is still one of the most influential players of the competition at her best.
She has once again delivered some of the greatest offloads in the NRLW, and proved again capable of the big hits that have the opposition on the back foot. Seinna Lofipo had a cruel end to a wonderful year, breaking her jaw in the Titans Preliminary final, while Simaima Taufua’s suspension proved costly for the Raiders in their finals campaign, such is her impact.
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