Sydney Roosters second-rower Olivia Kernick has won the 2024 NRLW Dally M Player of the Year and is among 15 NSW Origin stars recognised on Rugby League’s night of nights.
Kernick with 22 points polled two more than Parramatta’s Abbi Church (20) and three more than Gold Coast Titan Lauren Brown (19) after nine rounds of thee NRLW. She has played six Origins after making her debut in 2022.
It was nearly a double NSW and Roosters celebration as fullback James Tedesco was neck-and-neck with Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes for the NRL Player of the Year – locked on 51 points each after Round 24, but the Kiwi international moved ahead by a single point in Round 27.
Tedesco didn't go home empty-handed as he won his fourth Dally M Fullback of the Year.
Tiana Penitani (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) and Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) picked up two awards each as Captains of the Year for their respective NRLW and NRL clubs, along with being named Centres of the Year.
Kernick picked up her third Dally M Second Rower of the Year to also take home two honours.
There will be celebrations in her shared Bondi apartment tonight as flatmates and fellow Roosters and Origin teammates Millie Boyle (Prop of the Year) and Keeley Davis (Hooker of the Year) were also on stage in the Team of the Year at the end-of-season gala dinner at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.
The other positional awards won by NSW players were Isabelle Kelly (Centre), Yasmin Clydsdale (Second Row) and Simaima Taufa (Lock) in the NRLW, alongside Tedesco (Fullback), Zac Lomax and Brian To’o (Wingers), Angus Crichton (Second Row) and Isaah Yeo (Lock).
NSW Under 19s Women’s State of Origin captain Kasey Reh took out the NRLW Rookie of the Year Award, while former Dally M Player of the Year (2022) Nicho Hynes was voted the Ken Stephen Medal winner for his community work this season.
In addition to the player awards, former NSW coach (2008-2010) Craig Bellamy picked up his seventh Coach of the Year award after leading Melbourne Storm to a sixth Minor Premiership and into his 10th NRL Grand Final.
