Harry Grant‘s Golden Boot award has sparked backlash around the NRL world, with fans questioning how the Kangaroos hooker won it ahead of teammate Cameron Munster or New Zealand’s Dylan Brown. The award recognises the year’s best players in Test footy, with Grant taking it out after his displays in Australia’s Ashes clean sweep in England, and Julia Robinson claiming the women’s award after her standout displays in the Pacific Cup for the Jillaroos.
Brisbane centre Robinson scored seven tries in four games for Australia this year and was unanimously voted international player of the year in the women’s game. But the men’s award was far less clear cut and much more controversial as Kiwi playmaker Brown was overlooked despite three-straight man of the match displays in New Zealand’s victorious Pacific Cup campaign.
Many NRL fans reckon Kiwi playmaker Dylan Brown (far left) was robbed after Kangaroos hooker Harry Grant (far right) took out rugby league’s Golden Boot award. Pic: Getty
The big-money Newcastle Knights recruit scored the match-winner against Samoa before scoring two tries and setting two more up against Tonga. Brown was also outstanding in the final of the tournament, busting nine tackles and setting up three tries in the 36-14 win over Samoa that saw him named both player of the match and series.
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But the Golden Boot selection panel consisting of NRL greats Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Ruben Wiki, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva decided Kangaroos hooker Grant was more deserving after his displays in the Ashes. The Melbourne No.9 had a quiet first Test at Wembley but was among Australia’s best in the second match at Everton Stadium.
Harry Grant (far left) won rugby league’s Golden Boot award despite his Kangaroos teammate Cameron Munster (R) being named player of the Ashes series. Pic: Getty
Grant then took out man of the match honours in the third Test against England in Leeds as the Kangaroos completed a series clean sweep. But as SEN radio host Joel Caine and former NRL star Justin Horo pointed out, it was Kangaroos teammate Munster who took out the Ashes player of the series honour, leaving many questioning Grant beat him to the Golden Boot award, considering they were the only Tests the Kangaroos played in 2025.
“He (Grant) got one man of the match but Munster picked up player of the series” Caine said. “So how do we get a player of the series – and that’s the only Test footy we play. Harry didn’t even win best player in that series.”
NRL world questions how Harry won Golden Boot award
The panel that voted on the Golden Boot award was different to those who named the Ashes player of the series. But it posed even more questions about how such a distinguished list of legends could make such a head-scratching decision.
“They should be better than that,” Horo said about the Golden Boot judging panel. “And I say that with all due respect because they are legends of the game… that’s a great gang and I’m so surprised that that’s the vibe.”
NRL fans also flooded social media to question how Grant won the award ahead of Munster when it was widely accepted he wasn’t Australia’s best during the Ashes. But the biggest backlash is around Brown’s snub, with many suggesting the Kiwi five-eighth was ‘robbed” after considering him a shoo-in for the top gong.
League boss says Harry Grant deserved to win the award
However, International Rugby League Chair Troy Grant insisted Grant was a deserving winner after an impressive Ashes campaign that also saw him lead the Kangaroos in the second Test when Isaah Yeo was out. “Harry showcased his skill and leadership in the first Ashes Series for 22 years and played a key role in Australia’s win over their great rivals,” the IRL chair said.
“He constantly had the England defence back-pedalling with his clever dummy-half running, topped the tackle count for the Kangaroos, captained Australia at Liverpool and scored a brilliant try to blow the match open at Leeds. For Harry to perform at that level – and with the same consistency – on the international stage, confirms his standing as one of the game’s best players.”
with AAP