The Brisbane Broncos have bid a fond farewell to 12 players from their premiership-winning NRL and NRLW squads at the club’s presentation night on Thursday, with Payne Haas snaring the men’s player of the year award over Reece Walsh.
Many would have expected Walsh to be crowned the Broncos’ player of the year after leading Brisbane to their first men’s premiership in 19 years.
However Haas undoubtedly had the better season overall, and was phenomenal for the entire year. Walsh finished the year with a staggering run of form over the last two-and-a-half months, including one of the greatest grand final performances we’ve ever seen.
But he made a slow start to 2025 compared to Haas, who was immense right throughout the campaign. Haas is now the only player in Broncos’ history to win the Paul Morgan Medal as men’s player of the year six times.
The front-rower also won the forward of the year and players’ player awards, while Walsh and Kotoni Staggs were joint-winners of the back of the year gong. Ben Talty was crowned rookie of the year after a stunning display following his mid-year switch from the North Sydney Bears in NSW Cup. And Pat Carrigan was voted the club’s most consistent.
As for the NRLW squad, superstar fullback Tamika Upton almost completed a clean-sweep of the awards. Dally M medallist Upton won player of the year, back of the year and players’ player, while Julia Robinson won most consistent.
