Canberra Raiders NRL captain Joe Tapine and NRLW co-captain Simaima Taufa have once again capped off incredible individual seasons, presented with Meninga Medals as Player of the Year for their respective sides.
The night marked an incredible fourth straight Meninga Medal for Tapine, becoming the first player in Raiders history to win four straight player of the year awards.
For Taufa, it marked her third straight accolade. She was named Player of the Year in the club’s inaugural NRLW season in 2023 before the award was recognised as the Meninga Medal for the first time last year.
Earlier in the evening, there were three special presentations, with club 300 game players Jason Croker (Raider #124), Jarrod Croker (Raider #284) and Josh Papalii (Raider #300) all named Life Members of the club.
Life Membership of the Canberra Raiders has been awarded to just 10 people in the clubs history, with Jason, Jarrod and Josh becoming life members 11, 12 and 13.
Their status as the only three players to have played 300 matches for the Green Machine assured their place amongst the clubs life members.
Corey Horsburgh and Simi Sasagi were dual recipients of the NRL Coaches’ Award after impressive seasons while Savelio Tamale was awarded the Peter Mulholland NRL Rookie of the Year after his breakout season.
Jordyn Preston won the NRLW Coaches’ Award in her first season for the club, with 18-year-old fullback Elise Simpson named the Peter Mulholland NRLW Rookie of the Year after her impressive debut season.
Raiders NRL Wellbeing Manager Andrew Bishop was recognised for his long-standing contribution to the club, receiving the Fred Daly Club Person of the Year.
Pasami Saulo was awarded the NSW Cup Player of the Year, with Xavier Caccioti named the Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.
Canberra Raiders Meninga Medal winners
Meninga Medal (NRL) – Joe Tapine
Meninga Medal (NRLW) – Simaima Taufa
NRL Coaches’ Award – Corey Horsburgh and Simi Sasagi
NRLW Coaches’ Award – Jordyn Preston
Peter Mulholland Rookie of the Year (NRL) – Savelio Tamale
Peter Mulholland Rookie of the Year (NRLW) – Elise Simpson
Fred Daly Club Person of the Year – Andrew Bishop
NSW Cup Player of the Year – Pasami Saulo
Jersey Flegg Player of the Year - Xavier Cacciotti
NSW Cup Coaches’ Award – Noah Martin
Jersey Flegg Coaches’ Award – Jaxon Lavender
Gordon McLucas Junior Representative of the Year (NRL) - Jordan Uta
Gordon McLucas Junior Representative of the Year (NRLW) – Uta Uatisone Poka
Life Members – Jason Croker, Jarrod Croker and Josh Papalii
Canberra Raiders Life Members
Noel Bissett*
Jarrod Croker
Jason Croker
Gerry Edwards*
Don Elphick*
Don Furner Snr*
John McIntyre
Les McIntyre*
Mal Meninga
Josh Papalii
Bill Sullivan
Tony Wood
Monsignor John Woods
*Deceased
