St Helens star Jodie Cunningham has missed out on the top individual honour in international women’s rugby league.
The England captain was on the women’s Golden Boot shortlist, but the award unanimously went to Australia half-back Tarryn Aiken.
Cunningham would have become the first English woman to win the award but the St Helens star missed out as Aiken cleaned up, becoming the third Australian to lift the honour since its inception in 2018.
The award, as international player of the year, caps a season in which Aiken helped Australia to victory in the Pacific Cup, Queensland to an historic State of Origin series win and Sydney Roosters to NRLW premiership glory.
The 25-year-old playmaker was also named player of the match in the Grand Final and Pacific Cup final.
The judging panel included ex-Leeds Rhinos and England prop Danika Priim, NRL Hall of Fame member Karyn Murphy and New Zealand dual-code superstar Honey Hireme-Smiler.
Aiken is the first Australian player to win the Golden Boot since Jillaroos and Roosters team-mates Jessica Sergis in 2019 and Isabelle Kelly in 2018.
Australia full-back Tamika Upton and centre Tiana Penitani were also shortlisted for the award, along with Fetu Samoa captain Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala and Kiwi Ferns second-rower Annessa Biddle.
IRL chairman Troy Grant said: “Tarryn has enjoyed a season which most players can only dream of and she shone on the biggest stage at every level of the game, including internationally in the Pacific Cup.
“The standard of women’s rugby league continues to rise at a rapid pace and players like Tarryn are showing the way for the talent emerging behind them.”
Australia coach Brad Donald said: “Tarryn was really impressive at international level after really strong performances in State of Origin and club footy.
“Not only did Tarryn perform consistently at the highest level, she did it with an injury so credit is also due to the performance staff at club, Origin and international level who helped her get through that, as well as the coaches who helped take her game to the next level.
“Tarryn has moved from a half who has been a real threat to one who now owns a game and takes ownership over a team. That has been a real key to her success, I feel.”
