Golden Boot labelled ‘a farce’ amid Super League player nomination

NRL commentator Andrew Voss has labelled the Golden Boot ‘a farce’ after seeing who has been shortlisted for the award. A total of 17 players have been nominated for the award by the IRL (International Rugby League), with key men from a number of nations being recognised.

The award is given to the top performer on the international scene over a calendar year, with all 17 players being in action for their countries over the last few weeks. Among the nominees are Herbie Farnworth, Harry Smith and George Williams, who all shone as England beat Samoa 2-0 in a Test series on home soil.

Shaun Wane’s side dominated a team made up of high profile NRL talent, with Farnworth and Williams touching down in both games, while Wigan Warriors’ Harry Smith looked more than comfortable at international level, too.

Salford Red Devils’ Nene Macdonald and Leigh Leopards man Lachlan Lam have also been given the nod for their showings in the colours of Papua New Guinea. However, Esan Marsters has also been nominated after playing two Tests for Cook Islands.

Cook Islands lost to both Fiji and PNG convincingly, but, Marsters has still been included on the shortlist, which also features four Australia players and three men from Tonga as the two nations prepare to go head to head on Sunday in the Pacific Championships final.

Of course, the award used to recognise the best player in the world, with the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith winning it on more than one occasion, while Ellery Hanley, Gary Schofield, Andrew Farrell and Kevin Sinfield have also got their hands on it.

And, the very sight of some players on the 2024 nominations list was enough to upset Voss, who let his feelings about the Golden Boot known.

“The Golden Boot is now a participation award,” he said while speaking on SEN radio. “I make no apologies for saying this. Taane Milne for Fiji, Esan Marsters for Cook Islands have been nominated. The premise is the best player in the world. You don’t have to put everyone in. It’s a farce.”

The winner of the award will be decided by a panel of Darren Lockyer, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva, with an announcement to be made in early December.