2026 Ken Thornett Medal and NRLW Player of the Year
The Parramatta Eels celebrated the 2026 season last night, hosting the annual Ken Thornett Medal and NRLW Player of the Year Awards on the hallowed field at CommBank Stadium.
Jack Williams claimed the Ken Thornett Medal for a second consecutive year, sharing the honour with Brian Kelly, while Abbi Church was named NRLW Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Church also took out the Blue & Gold Army NRLW Award for a fourth consecutive year, with Williams receiving the members’ NRL Award.
Saxon Pryke and Jasmin Morrissey were recognised as the NRL and NRLW Rookies of the Year, while Ryley Smith and Freedom Crichton Ropati were named NSW Cup and NSW Women’s Premiership Players of the Year respectively.
The Club also celebrated players who made their NRL and NRLW debuts and reached milestones during 2026, while farewelling those departing at season’s end.
Players joined Chairman, Matthew Beach in congratulating departing CEO, Jim Sarantinos on his efforts during his 10-year tenure providing a legacy for the Club to build on in the future.
A special moment of the evening came as NRL and NRLW players paid their respect by performing a passionate Ka Mate Māori haka to honour outgoing NSW Cup coach and club Hall of Fame honouree, Nathan Cayless.
The evening provided a fitting opportunity for the Eels family to acknowledge the 2026 season and look ahead to what’s next for the Blue and Gold.
The Parramatta Eels congratulate the following awardees:
Ken Thornett Medal: Brian Kelly and Jack Williams
Nathan Hindmarsh NRL Players' Player Award: Jack Williams
Jack Gibson NRL Coaches Award: Jack Williams
Eric Grothe NRL Rookie of the Year: Saxon Pryke
Blue & Gold Army NRL Award: Jack Williams
Ray Price NRL Community Award: Josh Addo-Carr
NRLW Player of the Year: Abbi Church
NRLW Players’ Player: Abbi Church
NRLW Coaches Award: Rory Owen
NRLW Rookie of the Year: Jasmin Morrissey
Blue & Gold Army NRLW Award: Abbi Church
NRLW Community Award: Martha Mataele
Bob O’Reilly NSW Cup Player of the Year: Ryley Smith
Geoff Gerard NSW Cup Coaches Award: Tyrese Lokeni
NSW Cup Players’ Player: Ryley Smith
NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Freedom Crichton Ropati
NSW Women’s Premiership Coaches Award: Jessica Kennedy
NSW Women’s Premiership Players’ Player: Freedom Crichton Ropati
Steve Ella Jersey Flegg Player of the Year: Siamani Leuluai
Brett Kenny Jersey Flegg Coaches’ Award: Max Popo
Jersey Flegg Players’ Player: Siamani Leuluai
Michael Cronin Club Person of the Year: Laura Davidson
