Westpac NSW Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has claimed his second Brad Fittler Medal and Westpac NSW Blues Women’s back-rower Yasmin Meakes also won her first NSW Women’s Origin Player of the Series Award at the 2026 Brad Fittler Medal in Sydney tonight.
Cleary, who claimed his first Brad Fittler Medal in 2020, was presented his medal by 2026 Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley in front of more than 600 guests in a glittering ceremony at The Star Event Centre, where 21 awards were handed out across NSWRL Representative, Major and Junior Representative Competitions, as well as community.
Also in attendance were NSWRL Chair Carolyn Campbell and the NSWRL Board, NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, recently appointed Westpac NSW Blues coach Matt King, Westpac NSW Blues Women’s coach John Strange, NSW Blues and NSW Blues Women players, True Blues, club representatives and players.
“The Brad Fittler Medal is a night where we celebrate the achievements of our administrators, officials, volunteers and players for the 2026 season,” Trodden said.
“This year has already been a memorable and successful season for NSWRL, with our men’s and women’s Origin teams both claiming their respective series, and participation records broken for a fourth consecutive season.
“I congratulate all the winners tonight for the positive contributions they have made in 2026 and wish all the teams still in the running for a premiership the best of luck for the finals.”
Cleary had an outstanding series for the Westpac NSW Blues and was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for being the best player from either state after guiding the Blues to a 2-1 series win, including a dominant performance in the decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. He finished the series with three tries, three try assists, two line breaks, five tackle busts and 60 average running metres.
Cleary also claimed The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award where he received more than 50 per cent of the votes from fans.
Back-rower Hudson Young collected his first True Blue Award which is awarded to the player who embodies the team's core values of trust, resilience, and culture. Young had a strong series after scoring two tries, running for an average of 117 metres and bending his back for 115 tackles.
Meakes was equally as impressive for the Westpac NSW Blues Women’s Origin team after claiming the Katrina Fanning AO Medal for being the best player from either state in the Blues’ historic 3-0 series win against Queensland. She played every minute of all three games, made five tackle busts, five offloads, ran for 69m, and made 79 tackles including a try-saver in Game One in Newcastle.
It is the second time Meakes has been recognised at the Brad Fittler Medal after she collected the NSW Women’s Origin Award in 2024, which honours a player who displays exceptional performance, commitment, and standard during the Women's Origin series.
Prop Ellie Johnston was the recipient of the NSW Women’s Origin Award this year after a strong series where she led the team up front. She scored a crucial try in Game One, made seven tackle busts, produced three offloads, ran for 107m and made 68 tackles.
Halfback Jesse Southwell came out on top in a close race for The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award, after a strong series where she landed a decisive field goal in Game One and came up with a try-saving tackle in Game Two.
Newcastle Knights hooker Diesel Hagan was named the GIO NSW Under 19s Men’s Player of the Year, while Sydney Roosters centre Anastasia Leatupue was named the Westpac NSW Under 19s Women’s Player of the Year.
Penrith Panthers fullback Jaxen Edgar was named The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year after helping guide the club into their strongest position to win the premiership since their last title in 2022. As well as helping steer the Panthers to the Minor Premiership, he has crossed the line for 16 tries, had 68 tackle busts, six try assists, 11 line breaks and ran for an average of 117m.
Newcastle Knights hooker Charley Lahmert was named the NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year after a strong season where she scored six tries on the way to helping the club claim the Minor Premiership.
The Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award winner, presented by Westpac, was also announced with Kevin Whitford from South Coast awarded the honour.
Whitford, who was chosen from eight regional winners, holds many roles in Group 7 and has been at the forefront of growth in the region, as well as helping to raise the standards of player and crowd behaviour in the competitions.
The Brad Fittler Medal night recognises and celebrates the achievements of players across all NSWRL teams and competitions, from Origin to seniors, juniors and women, as well as the contributions of match officials, club administrators and volunteers.
The Brad Fittler Medal was first presented in 2005 with winners including King (2005), Steve Menzies (2006), Danny Buderus (2008), Paul Gallen (2011), James Tedesco (2018-19, 22), Tom Trbojevic (2021), and Brian To’o (2023, 2025).
The NSW Women’s Origin Player of the Year was first presented in 2015 with winners including Simaima Taufa (2015, 17, 19), Kezie Apps (2016), and Isabelle Kelly (2018, 21-22).
2026 BRAD FITTLER MEDAL AWARD WINNERS
Brad Fittler Medal (presented by Westpac): Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
True Blue Award (presented by Westpac): Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos)
NSW Blues Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year (presented by Westpac): Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights)
NSW Blues Women’s Award (presented by Westpac): Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
NSW Under 19s State of Origin Player of the Match (presented by GIO): Diesel Hagan (Newcastle Knights)
NSW Under 19s Women’s State of Origin Player of the Match (presented by Westpac): Anastasia Leatupue (Sydney Roosters)
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year (presented by Transport for NSW): Jaxen Edgar (Penrith Panthers)
NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Charley Lahmert (Newcastle Knights)
Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Eden Hodges (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Player of the Year (presented by Leagues Clubs Australia): Joe Lovodua (Ryde-Eastwood Hawks)
Sydney Shield Player of the Year: Ryan Jeffery (Mounties)
Men’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Luke Huth (Newcastle Rebels)
Women’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Jayda Cohen (Northern Tigers)
Tom Nelson Medal for SLE Laurie Daley Cup Player of the Year: Cohen Aitken (Northern Rivers Titans)
Ron Lanesbury Medal for SLE Andrew Johns Cup Player of the Year: Joel Trevethan (Monaro Colts)
Grade Referee of the Year (presented by McDonald’s): Kieren Irons
Junior Representative Referee of the Year (presented by McDonald’s): Liam O’Brien
Ray Stellar Club Person of the Year (presented by Hyundai): Nyke “Aaron” Zammit (Glebe Dirty Reds) and Mark Madden (North Sydney Bears)
Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award (presented by Westpac): Kevin Whitford (Milton Ulladulla)
