Westpac NSW Blues winger Brian To’o has claimed his second Brad Fittler Medal while Westpac NSW Blues Women’s back-rower Olivia Kernick has continued her outstanding form to win her first Origin Player of the Series Award at the 2025 Brad Fittler Medal in Sydney tonight.
To’o, who claimed his first Brad Fittler Medal in 2023, was presented his medal by True Blue Brad Fittler in front of more than 500 guests in a glittering ceremony at The Star Event Centre, with 21 awards handed out across NSWRL Representative, Major and Junior Representative Competitions, as well as community.
Also in attendance were The Hon. Steve Kamper, MP, Minister for Sport and The Hon. Eleni Petinos MP, Shadow Minister for Sport, NSWRL Chair Carolyn Campbell and the NSWRL Board, NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley, Westpac NSW Blues Women's coach John Strange, NSW Blues and NSW Blues Women players, and club representatives and players.
“The Brad Fittler Medal is always a highlight on the NSWRL calendar as it presents us with an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful contributions that have been made across all our competitions throughout the 2025 season,” Trodden said.
“The awards recognise the tireless efforts our volunteers make at grassroots level, the hard work put in by club officials, and the performances of our officials and players from NSWRL Junior Representatives and Major Competitions, and the elite level in State of Origin.
“I congratulate all the winners tonight on their successful seasons and I also wish all those clubs still involved in finals the very best of luck for this month.”
The Brad Fittler Medal and NSW Blues Women’s Origin Player of the Series are presented to the best players respectively from the Westpac NSW Blues (voted by players) and Westpac NSW Blues Women (voted by coaching staff).
To’o had an outstanding series for the Blues after scoring five tries across three games to move to equal first on the all-time NSW try-scorers list, as well as making seven tackle busts, five line breaks and an average of 241 run metres.
He also claimed The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award where he received more than 50 per cent of the votes from fans.
Prop Payne Haas collected his first True Blue Award, which is determined by the coaching staff, and goes to the player that best displays the values on which the team culture is built.
Kernick has had an impressive 12 months after winning the NRLW Dally M Medal for Player of the Year in 2024, and the Nellie Doherty Medal this year for Player of the Series in the Women’s State of Origin series.
She was in devastating form for the Blues in the 2-1 series win after scoring two tries, making two line breaks, a line break assist and averaging 148 run metres.
Kernick was also a popular choice among fans, also claiming The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award.
Fullback Abbi Church capped off a solid Origin debut series after taking out the NSW Blues Women’s Award (the equivalent of the men’s True Blue Award).
St George Illawarra Dragons back-rower Jacob Halangahu was named the NSW Under 19s Men’s Player of the Year after scoring a try and proving a handful for the defence in the 23-22 loss to Queensland, while Parramatta Eels prop Tess McWilliams was named the NSW Under 19s Women’s Player of the Year for her barnstorming performance in the 26-10 win.
Warriors captain and lock Kalani Going was named The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year after a stellar season for Auckland-based club. As well as helping steer the Warriors to the Minor Premiership, he crossed the line for eight tries, had 56 tackle breaks, six offloads and an average of 114 running metres.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks captain and centre Monique Donovan was named Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year, with the club rallying from finishing in last place in 2024 to be second on the table with two rounds remaining.
The Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award winner was also announced with Dean Bliss from Dungowan Rugby League Football Club accepting the honour.
Bliss was chosen from 12 regional winners and has had a significant impact on Rugby League within Group 4 and Dungowan JRL.
He is the Group 4 JRL President, a trainer for Dungowan JRL, a Northern Region board member and a referee when required. He previously held roles as President for Tamworth District Minor League and Dungowan JRL, with the latter growing from 152 participants in 2022 to 289 today.
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 Matt King (2005) Steve Menzies (2006), Danny Buderus (2008), Paul Gallen (2011), James Tedesco (2018-19, 22), Nathan Cleary (2020), Tom Trbojevic (2021), and Angus Crichton (2024).
The NSW Women’s Origin Player of the Year was first presented in 2015 with winners including Simaina Taufa (2015, 17, 19), Kezie Apps (2016), and Isabelle Kelly (2018, 21-22).
2025 BRAD FITTLER MEDAL AWARD WINNERS
Brad Fittler Medal: Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
True Blue Award: Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award: Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)
NSW Blues Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year: Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)
NSW Blues Women’s Award: Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels)
NSW Under 19s State of Origin Player of the Year: Jacob Halangahu (St George Illawarra Dragons)
NSW Under 19s Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year: Tess McWilliams (Parramatta Eels)
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year: Kalani Going (Warriors)
Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Monique Donovan (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Preston Conn (Melbourne Storm)
Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Player of the Year: Joseph Nohra (Wentworthville Magpies), Taniela Lasalo (Hills Bulls)
Sydney Shield Player of the Year: Tallis Brown (Moorebank Rams)
Men’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Jacob Kernick (Northern Rivers Titans)
Women’s Country Championship Player of the Year: Tiana Anderson (Western Rams)
Tom Nelson Medal for SLE Laurie Daley Cup Player of the Year: Toby Batten (North Coast Bulldogs)
Ron Lanesbury Medal for SLE Andrew Johns Cup Player of the Year: Mason Bartlett (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
Grade Match Official of the Year: Dillan Wells
Junior Representative Match Official of the Year: Salvatore Marigiliano
Ray Stellar Club Person of the Year: Phil Driscoll OAM (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Gordon Lowrie Memorial Community Volunteer of the Year Award: Dean Bliss (Dungowan RLFC, Northern Region)
