Albert wins top honour at Eels NRLW awards night

Elsie Albert wins top honour at NRLW Awards Night

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 2 Oct 2024, 07:18 PM

Elsie Albert was named Parramatta's Player of the Year as the Eels celebrated the success of their Women at the 2024 NRLW Awards Night.

The Eels enjoyed their most successful NRLW season to date in 2024, winning five of nine games under new coach Steve Georgallis.

Elsie Albert was rewarded for her incredible campaign by winning the NRLW Player of the Year Award. She made a triumphant return from injury this year, leading Parramatta from the front in all nine NRLW games.

The Papua New Guinean prop averaged 127 run metres, 18 tackles and five tackle breaks per game, while recording an enormous tackle efficiency of 93%. She also scored two tries, both in her match-winning performance against the Titans in Round 7.

Abbi Church won the Blue & Gold Army Award for a second consecutive season, and was also named Players' Player. The hard-working fullback hit new heights in 2024, excelling for the Eels in both attack and defence. She led the team for run metres with 158 per game, and made a number of crucial defensive plays.

Rachael Pearson earned the Coaches Award, capping off her fantastic year. The halfback's game management and elite kicking came to the fore as she recorded eight try assists, five forced dropouts, three 40/30s and 22 goals. She stood tall for the away victories against Brisbane and Canberra.

Rory Owen won the Eels' newly-introduced NRLW Rookie of the Year Award, days after re-signing with the Club. In her first season of rugby league and in elite sport altogether, the athletic centre took the NRLW by storm. She crossed the line five times in nine games, scoring crucially in wins over the Broncos, Titans and Raiders.

Mahalia Murphy completed the NRLW winners list as she earned the Community Award in recognition of her efforts away from the football field. The Eels Captain hosts community training sessions in Western Sydney, and volunteers as a personal trainer for Indigenous health initiatives.

The NRLW Awards Night also celebrated Parramatta's inaugural Harvey Norman Women's Premiership team. The Eels joined NSW's elite competition this season to complete their Female pathway system from the junior league to NRLW level.

Losalio Sita Payne was named the Eels' first HNWP Player of the Year, while Ryshe Fa'amausili won the Coaches Award.

The Eels congratulate each of the NRLW Awards Night winners, as well as the players, coaches and staff who contributed to the Women's program in 2024.