Liam Martin and Isabelle Kelly Triumph on NRL Grand Final Day

Westpac NSW Origin stars Liam Martin and Isabelle Kelly have achieved significant honors on NRL Grand Final Day at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Both players collected prestigious awards and their premiership rings, marking a memorable day in the rugby league calendar.

Martin, representing the Penrith Panthers, was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal, recognizing him as the Player of the Match in the Grand Final where the Panthers secured a 14-6 victory over Melbourne Storm. Martin’s achievement marks him as the first forward from his club to receive this accolade in the last four years, joining previous recipients Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards. Addressing the crowd, Martin said, “Wow … this is surreal,” expressing admiration for the Melbourne Storm and gratitude towards his teammates.

On the field, Martin delivered an impressive performance by scoring one of the Panthers’ three tries, executing a line-break, two tackle-busts, and three offloads, as well as making 45 tackles. His efforts played a pivotal role in Penrith Panthers’ triumph over their formidable opponents.

Earlier in the day, Sydney Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly was named the 2024 Players’ Champion, a recognition voted by NRL Women’s players. This award came prior to her leading the Roosters to a thrilling 32-28 victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Throughout the season, Kelly showcased consistent performance, recording three tries, four try assists, and nine line-breaks across 11 games, while averaging 198 metres per game. Although she has previously won two Nellie Doherty Medals, this marks her inaugural RLPA Players’ Champion honor.

Meanwhile, in the men’s category, Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes added the RLPA’s Players’ Champion title to his recently awarded Dally M Player of the Year. Hughes was chosen over notable contenders, including Westpac NSW Blues players Angus Crichton, Stephen Crichton, and James Tedesco, who were among the finalists.