The first full season of the BHP Premiership was a showcase of the talent and skills of the state’s best female players, with North Queensland Gold Stars captain Romy Teitzel judged the both the BHP Premiership Player of the Year and Fullback of the Year at the QRL Awards.
Some of the season’s other standout players were last week honoured at the QRL Awards with a position in the BHP Premiership Team of the Year for season 2021.
In a great sign for the future, there were many young and emerging players in the mix, including 2021 Rookie of the Year Destiny Brill, who was also named Hooker of the Year.
Voted by opposition coaches, the top contenders in each position along with their club and number of points tallied are listed below.
BHP Premiership Team of the Year top contenders
Fullback of the Year
Romy Teitzel, North Queensland Gold Stars – 16 points (winner)
Tamika Upton, Burleigh Bears – 10 points
Julia Robinson, West Brisbane Panthers – 8 points
Shenae Ciesiolka, Valleys Diehards – 6 points
Winger of the Year
Karina Brown, Burleigh Bears – 13 points (winner)
Taylor Mapusua, Valleys Diehards – 6 points
Shenae Ciesiolka, Valleys Diehards – 4 points
Jetaya Faifua, Burleigh Bears – 4 points
Centre of the Year
Jasmine Peters, North Queensland Gold Stars – 9 points (winner)
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Burleigh Bears – 5 points
Lauren Dam, West Brisbane Panthers – 4 points
Julia Robinson, West Brisbane Panthers – 3 points
Five-eighth of the Year
Lauren Brown, Burleigh Bears – 12 points (winner)
Grace Griffin, Valleys Diehards – 11 points
Chelsea Baker – Central Queensland Capras – 4 points
Ali Brigginshaw, Valleys Diehards – 3 points
Halfback of the Year
Zahara Temara, Burleigh Bears – 16 points (winner)
Ali Brigginshaw, Valleys Diehards – 13 points
Tarryn Aiken, Tweed Seagulls – 7 points
Lana Sheedy, West Brisbane Panthers – 4 points
Prop of the Year
Millie Boyle, Burleigh Bears – 15 points (winner)
Brianna Clark, Valleys Diehards – 10 points
Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Burleigh Bears – 3 points
Rangi Edwards-Bruce, North Queensland Gold Stars – 2 points
Hooker of the Year
Destiny Brill, Valleys Diehards – 11 points (winner)
Emma Manzelmann, North Queensland Gold Stars – 10 points
Britt Breayley-Nati, Burleigh Bears – 8 points
Therese Aiton, West Brisbane Panthers – 3 points
Second Rower of the Year
Tazmin Gray, Burleigh Bears – 11 points (winner)
Kody House, Valleys Diehards – 9 points
Crystal Tamarua - Burleigh Bears – 6 points
Sara Sautia, West Brisbane Panthers – 3 points
Lock of the Year
Georgia Hale, Tweed Seagulls – 17 points (winner)
Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Burleigh Bears – 4 points
Destiny Brill, Valleys Diehards – 4 points
Lavinia Gould, Valleys Diehards – 3 points
Coach of the Year
Scott Prince, Valleys Diehards – 10 points (winner)
Tahnee Norris, Burleigh Bears – 9 points
Gavin Lloyd, North Queensland Gold Stars – 8 points
Wayne Treleaven, Valkyries Queensland – 3 points
*Points tally collated by Ken Cooper
