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Sport Nation
Tedesco named RLPA Players' Champion
SEN • September 29th, 2025 7:03 pm
James Tedesco has been voted by his peers as the 2025 RLPA Players' Champion award following an outstanding season with the Sydney Roosters.
The Tricolours captain, who played every game this season, managed to have plenty of impact from fullback, having run for 4,862 metres throughout the season, helping take his side into the finals after losing plenty of experience during the off-season.
Tedesco led the league with 164 tackle breaks and was third for line break assists with 27, showing his impact in the attack beyond just his running.
This is now Tedesco’s fourth RLPA Players' Champion award after previously receiving the award in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
This now sees him tie Jonathan Thurston for the most RLPA Players' Champion awards since the award started in 2004.
RLPA CEO Clint Newton OAM congratulated Tedesco on his award.
"On behalf of the RLPA, I congratulate James Tedesco on winning the Players’ Champion award for 2025,” said Newton.
"James has again shown the brilliant player he is physically, skill-wise and mentally. Expectations for James are always high and despite constant questions being asked of him in recent seasons, he’s answered them by continuing to elevate his game.
"He may be 32, but he is still playing with the same explosiveness, the elite support play, and composure as his team’s leader.
"Few players can lead and play like James, within structure, but also be a dangerous and instinctive eyes-up footballer. He embodies what it means to attack the game relentlessly and never take the foot off the pedal.
"For James to be on a par with Johnathan Thurston on four Players’ Champion awards is an extraordinary achievement. JT is one of the greatest of all time, and Tedesco belongs in that company.
"While JT played a different position, they share the same fearlessness in contact, running at defensive lines, and an unwavering 80-minute mentality. These are qualities players respect, and why both have been honoured four times.
"We proudly recognise James Tedesco as the Players’ Champion for 2025. His ability and leadership are a credit to him, and our game is better for having him."
Recent winners of the men's Players' Champion award include Jahrome Hughes, Shaun Johnson, and Tom Trbojevic.
Four players from each team are initially nominated for the award, before contracted NRL players vote on a 3-2-1 system for who they believe is the best player of the season. Players may not vote for their teammates.
The other four finalists for the award were Payne Haas, Ethan Strange, Harry Grant, and Isaiya Katoa.
