The Broader Game: Dally M medal set for standalone event

The 2021 female Dally M medallist for the rescheduled season will be announced on Thursday, April 7, with the NRL set to hold its first-ever women's awards ceremony in Sandstone Point.

Live updates from the event will be available on NRL.com and the NRL's social media platforms throughout the historic night as the best player for the 2021 season is revealed.

The Dally M medal is awarded to the player of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership based on a 3-2-1 voting system throughout the season.

Past winners include Broncos halfback Ali Brigginshaw (2020), Roosters star Jess Sergis (2019) and Titans captain Brittany Breayley-Nati (2018).

Meanwhile, five players have been shortlisted for the RLPA’s Players’ Champion award, which will be crowned during Channel Nine’s live NRLW grand final coverage on April 10.

Elsie Albert (Dragons), Millie Boyle (Broncos), Evania Pelite (Titans), Emma Tonegato (Dragons), and Botille Vette-Welsh (Eels) are in contention for the honour after finishing in the top five voted players for the 2021 NRLW season.

The Players’ Champion is player-voted and open to all 2021 NRLW players, with each player voting via a 3-2-1 system. They could not vote for their teammates as part of the process.

Previous winners of The Players’ Champion include Hannah Southwell (2020), Jessica Sergis (2019) and Simaima Taufa (2018).

Bremner makes successful return

Former Jillaroos star Sam Bremner pulled the boots on again last week in a trial game for Cronulla ahead of the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership starting on April 23. 

Bremner, who hasn't played a senior game since October, 2020, after the birth of her second child, scored a try in the Sharks' big win.

The 30-year-old will ease her way back through the state competition before pushing for selection in Origin and the second NRLW season scheduled for later this year.

 

Leading try-scorers race on

The race to become the 2021 (rescheduled) top try scorer is officially on with five players locked on four tries and another five locked on three for the season.

Broncos trio Emily Bass, Shenae Ciesiolka and Hagiga Mosby join Dragons wingers Teagan Berry and Madison Bartlett at the top.

Mosby has been left out of this weekend's semi-finals clash against the Roosters with Julia Robinson's return from a cheekbone injury.

Tamika Upton holds the record for most tries in an NRLW season with five in four games.

Vette-Welsh finds humour in ACL pain

Injured Parramatta fullback Botille Vette-Welsh confirmed on Tuesday her year was over on the footy field after scans confirmed a ruptured ACL injury.

Vette-Welsh faces 6-9 months on the sideline, effectively ruling her out of State of Origin, the second NRLW season and World Cup in November.

The 25-year-old was among the star performers in the NRLW this season, averaging 192 metres in four outings for the Eels before injuring her knee.

She took to Instagram on Tuesday with a light-hearted meme involving Chris Rock and Will Smith's Oscar moment to relate to the incident.

Kiwi Fern crowned Knights' best

Newcastle prop Annetta Nu'uausala has taken out the player of the year and players' player award for the side's inaugural NRLW season.

Nu'uausala won the double at the club's first-ever awards night on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old was a shining light for the side during a winless campaign, averaging 91 running metres with 14 tackle busts, 97 tackles and five offloads. 

Former Rooster joins England squad

Courtney Hill, the former Brisbane Heat state cricketer who played for the Roosters at the NRL Nines in 2020, has been added to England's World Cup squad.

Hill qualifies for England under the residency eligibility rule after the 35-year-old moved to the UK with to be with her partner Lauren in 2018. 

Meanwhile, Broncos forward Roxy Murdoch, who was originally in England's performance squad for the World Cup, is understood to have pledged her allegiances to New Zealand for the tournament.