Sky Blues dominate major awards
The Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues are looking to present a strong squad for the Ampol State of Origin match in Canberra after scooping the pool in two major awards this week.
Ahead of the 2022 NRLW Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday 10 April, the Dally M Awards for the Telstra Women’s Premiership (postponed season 2021) were presented at a gala function in Brisbane.
NSW-eligible players Millie Boyle (Brisbane Broncos) and Emma Tonegato (St George Illawarra Dragons) won two of the four player awards, while newly appointed Sky Blues assistant coach and rookie Dragons NRL coach Jamie Soward was named Dally M Coach of the Year.
Boyle and Tonegato became the first joint winners of the Player of the Year – there have been two sets of joint winners in the men’s game in 2014 and 2016.
“Both Emma and Millie have been standouts this season and should be congratulated on this honour, becoming the first ever dual winners of the Dally M Female Player of the Year award – in a season of firsts,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
Boyle, who has played all four Women’s State of Origin games for NSW, acknowledged the bond she and Tonegato now had. The Dragons fullback has played for the Jillaroos (2013) but not yet for the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues, after a break from league to play union for Australia at two Olympic Games (2016 and 2020).
"It's really special, it's such a prestigious medal and has so much history in Rugby League," Boyle said.
"To be able to honour that in the women's game and to also be alongside someone of the calibre and strength of Emma Tonegato is amazing.
"She's done so much for her team and helped lead them to the grand final. To be able to stand alongside her and be recognised for this achievement is very special to me."
Tonegato was also awarded the Dally M Tackle of the Year for her try-saving cover defence of Roosters centre Jess Sergis in Round Five.
The plaudits for NSW-eligible players didn’t stop there.
The RLPA (Rugby League Players Association) also announced its 2021 “Dream Team”, which like the men’s is voted for by their peers. Each player votes for a single player from each of the fullback, wing, centre, five-eighth, halfback, backrow, prop and hooker positions to create the winning 13.
From the list compiled, Tonegato (fullback) and Boyle (prop) join centre Jamie Chapman; winger Teagan Berry; five-eighth Taliah Fuimano; and halfback Rachel Pearson as the six NSW-eligible players from the Players’ Dream Team.
Chapman and Berry were members of the winning NSW U19s side last year.
NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder will be naming a 25-member Origin squad in the week following Sunday’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final. She and Soward will refine the squad further after the 14 May NSW Country-City game.
The 2022 Ampol Women’s State of Origin will be played at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Friday 24 June.
Here are the full list of award winners this week:
The RLPA 2021 Players’ Dream Team:*
1. Emma Tonegato (Dragons)
2. Karina Brown (Titans)
3. Jaime Chapman (Dragons)
4. Shenae Ciesiolka (Broncos)
5. Teagan Berry (Dragons)
6. Taliah Fuimaono (Dragons)
7. Rachael Pearson (Dragons)
8. Elsie Albert (Dragons)
9. Lauren Brown (Broncos)
10. Millie Boyle (Broncos)
11. Amber Hall (Broncos)
12. Shaniah Power (Titans)
13. Destiny Brill (Titans)
The 2021 Season Dally M Awards:
Dally M Female Player of the Year – Emma Tonegato (Dragons) and Millie Boyle (Broncos)
Captain of the Year – Brittany Breayley-Nati (Titans)
Coach of the Year – Jamie Soward (Dragons)
Try of the Year – Shaniah Power (Titans)
Tackle of the Year – Emma Tonegato (Dragons)
(*The RLPA Players’ Champion, also voted on by peers, will be announced at half-time in Sunday’s NRLW Grand Final.)
