Nathan Cleary has had a bittersweet victory after his disastrous ankle injury, with the champion halfback unveiled as the 2026 Players’ Champion.
The Rugby League Players Association announced the prestigious award, which was voted by fellow NRL players, with the Penrith great also winning it in 2020.
It caps a dream year for Cleary, who won the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player in the State of Origin series, as well as the Brad Fittler Medal at the NSW Blues night of nights.
He is odds on to win his first Dally M Medal on Wednesday night after an incredible season with Penrith, although it’s unclear how he will accept the award given he has two serious injuries.
Cleary beat out a field of 68 to be crowned the Players’ Champion ahead of fellow finalists Erin Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Haumole Olakau’atu and four-time winner James Tedesco.
He is just the third player to win the award multiple times.
“On behalf of the RLPA, I congratulate Nathan Cleary on being voted by his peers as their Players’ Champion for 2026,” RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said.
“Throughout this season, for club and state, Nathan has consistently played at a level even beyond his high standards.
“To now be a multiple-time winner alongside James Tedesco and Johnathan Thurston is a massive honour and credit to Nathan’s ability, professionalism, relentlessness and toughness.
“The expectations on Nathan are always very high. But in 2026 he showed once again that he can carry that pressure and produce quality performance after quality performance.
“Defined by his toughness as a halfback, Nathan’s all-round game has been astounding this year. Whether it be setting up tries or line breaks, or his tactical and attacking kicking game, Nathan has been on another level in 2026.
“We proudly recognise Nathan Cleary as the Players’ Champion for 2026. He is a phenomenal and gifted player, a great leader and a quality human. These are some of the reasons why Nathan is such a respected player across the game and by his peers.
“Rugby league should be very proud to have him as one of the stars of our game.”
The award is bittersweet for Cleary, who left Accor Stadium in an ambulance and required emergency surgery on Sunday night as a result of a hip-drop tackle.
Cleary suffered a compound fracture of the ankle, with the four-time premiership winner also nursing a broken right foot that he suffered two weeks earlier.
“I just want to send my thoughts to Nathan and his family after sustaining a brutal injury in the preliminary final,” Newton said.
“I wish you all the best in your recovery and we know you will fight your way back on the playing field as soon as you can.”
Originally published as Bittersweet’ win for Nathan Cleary as Panthers star adds prestigious award to his list of 2026 accolades