Thirroul star Brent Naden capped a standout first season in the Harrigan Cup by claiming the Paul McGregor Medal as Player of the Year at Friday night’s 2026 Illawarra Rugby League Awards.
The Paul McGregor Medal Presentation Evening was held at Steelers on Friday, 25 September, recognising the leading players, teams and achievements from across the 2026 season.
Naden also collected the Frank Smith Trophy as Back of the Year, completing an impressive debut season with the Butchers following his move from the NRL.
The experienced centre made 17 appearances for the blue and white, scoring 11 tries and 48 points to finish third on Thirroul’s points-scoring list.
Faitala-Mariner Named Forward of the Year
Corrimal’s Raymond Faitala-Mariner was awarded the George Grofus Trophy as Forward of the Year following an outstanding first season with the Cougars.
The former NRL forward made an immediate impact at Corrimal after an 11-year career in the National Rugby League and played a key role in the Cougars’ run to the Harrigan Cup Grand Final.
Ryan and Brady Claim Lower Grade Honours
Mt Kembla captain Jack Ryan took the Illawarra Rugby League 2nd Division Player of the Year (Harrigan Shield).
Ryan finished the Shield season sixth for tries scored and second overall for points with 86.
Collegians halfback Daniel Brady was named 2nd Grade Player of the Year (Harrigan Plate), featuring in all 17 matches and finishing with six tries and 42 points.
Humphries Takes Alex Jack Trophy
Thirroul’s Tayler Humphries claimed the Alex Jack Trophy as U18s Player of the Year following an impressive campaign in the Southern Corridor competition.
Humphries played 14 games in the halves for the Butchers, scoring seven tries and finishing as the leading points scorer in the 2026 Southern Corridor U18s Premiership with 124 points.
Walsh and Perugini Recognised
Collegians’ Emma Walsh was named Open Ladies League Tag Player of the Year after starring for the Collie Dogs throughout the season.
Walsh featured in 13 matches, including Collegians’ 28–8 Grand Final victory, where she crossed for two tries.
The Open Women’s Tackle Player of the Year went to Helensburgh halfback and captain Nikki Perugini (pictured below), who finished her season with three tries and 12 points.
Leading Points Scorers Honoured
Dapto second-rower Troy Pieper claimed the IRL News Trophy as Leading Points Scorer in the Harrigan Cup, accumulating 128 points across his 14 regular-season appearances.
Thirroul’s Corey Snelson was the Leading Points Scorer in the Harrigan Plate, recording 82 points across eight regular-season matches.
Humphries collected his second award of the evening as the Leading Points Scorer in the U18s, finishing the regular season with 116 points, including 88 from goals.
Avondale Greyhounds fullback Dylan Riggs was the Leading Points Scorer in the Harrigan Shield, amassing 130 points from 13 regular-season games. His season included a Round 2 masterclass against Windang, when he contributed 22 of Avondale’s 36 points.
Walsh also picked up her second award of the night, taking the Leading Points Scorer award for Open Ladies League Tag after finishing the regular season with 84 points.
Maddaford Tops Try-Scoring List
Thirroul centre Luke Maddaford took home the Jack Royall Trophy as the leading try scorer in the Harrigan Cup, finishing the regular season with 14 tries.
Corrimal claimed the Bob Lowrie Trophy for most tries scored by a club, with the Cougars crossing for 73 tries during their impressive campaign.
The Cougars also collected the Bob Brown Trophy after finishing the Harrigan Cup regular season as Minor Premiers.
The Coastline Printing Trophy for Club Championship went to Thirroul, rounding out a successful awards night for the Butchers after a strong 2026 season across the grades.
Words: Harrison Mellare
Photo credit: Mark Newsham