2026 Frank Johnson & Gaynor Maggs Awards
Celebrate Our Game and Our People
The Northern Territory Rugby League community came together at the Darwin Turf Club on Monday, 7 September for the 2026 Frank Johnson & Gaynor Maggs Medal Awards, celebrating the players, coaches, match officials, volunteers and contributors who continue to make Rugby League such an important part of communities across the Territory.
The evening carried the names of Frank Johnson and Gaynor Maggs, two people whose extraordinary contribution to Rugby League in the Northern Territory continues to be honoured through NRL NT’s premier annual awards.
As NRL NT General Manager Tony Crowe reflected in his welcome, while the night recognises outstanding players and individual achievements, it is equally about the coaches, committee members, team managers, sports trainers, match officials, parents, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who make the game possible.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. In Rugby League, it takes a community to build a club. And ultimately, strong clubs build a strong game.”
2026 Major Award Winners
The night's major playing honours saw Jacob Collie – Northern Sharks crowned the 2026 Frank Johnson Medallist, while Courtney Tamati – Nightcliff Dragons received the 2026 Gaynor Maggs Medal.
Antonio James – Darwin Brothers was named Player of the Year, while George Rosas – South Darwin Rabbitohs capped an outstanding season by being named Under 18 Player of the Year. Eligh Pomroy – Litchfield Bears received the Male Rising Star Award.
Other major honours included Clint Nibbs – South Darwin Rabbitohs, Senior Coach of the Year; Paul Devir – Match Official of the Year; Ayesha Kay – Northern Sharks, ‘The Carmen Award’ Volunteer of the Year; Elise Parker – Bees Creek Primary School, Teacher of the Year; and Adam Wall – Knock On Media, Media Award.
The Litchfield Bears were also recognised as the John “Shadow” Mount Club Champions of the Year.
Leading Try and Point Scorers
The season's leading attacking performers were also recognised across NRL NT's senior and Under 18 competitions.
In the DABSCO Men's Premiership, Eligh Pomroy – Litchfield Bears was the Highest Try Scorer, with Dallas Caulton – Darwin Brothers named Highest Point Scorer.
In the Tru-Flow Services Women's Premiership, Bianca Stokes – Darwin Brothers claimed Highest Try Scorer, while Cecilia Misob – Nightcliff Dragons was the Highest Points Scorer.
George Rosas – South Darwin Rabbitohs completed an impressive Under 18 season as both the
Highest Try Scorer and Highest Point Scorer.
In the Gatley Shield, Ankin Lewis – Darwin Brothers, Matios Hayes – Palmerston Raiders and Dylan Seden-Kurnoth – Darwin Brothers shared Highest Try Scorer honours, with Ankin Lewis also recognised as the competition's Highest Points Scorer.
2026 Tru-Flow Services Premiership Under Armour Team of the Year
Coached by Ronnie Mareko, the 2026 Women's Team of the Year featured:
Bianca Stokes – Darwin Brothers; Cecilia Misob – Nightcliff Dragons; Courtney Tamati – Nightcliff Dragons; Ellie Niki – Darwin Brothers; Erica Stevenson – South Darwin Rabbitohs; Erin Luchetti – Litchfield Bears; Jade McGimpsey – Litchfield Bears; Kiyanah Toy – Litchfield Bears; Lavina Pollo – Darwin Brothers; Mayo Watson-Compton – Northern Sharks; Mere Rasaku – Nightcliff Dragons; Yasmin Isaac – Palmerston Raiders; and Zoe Kurnoth – Darwin Brothers.
2026 DABSCO Premiership Under Armour Men's Team of the Year
Coached by Leon Cleal, the 2026 Men's Team of the Year featured:
Antonio James – Darwin Brothers;
Ben Drayton – Litchfield Bears;
Brodie Morcom – Litchfield Bears;
Dallas Caulton – Darwin Brothers;
Eligh Pomroy – Litchfield Bears;
Elijah Coombes – Darwin Brothers;
Jacob Collie – Northern Sharks;
Joseph Munro – Northern Sharks;
Kanea Gimini – South Darwin Rabbitohs;
Lepani Waga – Palmerston Raiders;
Lio Lutua – Nightcliff Dragons;
Mikaele Vateitei – Darwin Brothers; and
Stylianos Vrontos – Nightcliff Dragons.
Taking a Stand Beyond the Field
The evening also reinforced the responsibility Rugby League has beyond participation, competitions and results.
Throughout the 2026 Finals Series, NRL NT has again been proud to Take A Stand with NO MORE against family and domestic violence, using the reach of Rugby League to encourage conversations, leadership and action throughout the community.
Sophie Roberts – Litchfield Bears was recognised with the NO MORE Campaign Representative Player of the Year Award, reflecting the broader values NRL NT wants the game to represent — respect for the players, respect for the officials and respect for each other.
Celebrating Our Rugby League Community
NRL NT was honoured to welcome Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Honourable Lia Finocchiaro MLA, together with Matthew Kerle MLA, Brigadier Robert Haertsch, Warrant Officer Class One Dan Nawrocki, NRL NT Life Members, and representatives from government, corporate and community partners, affiliated clubs, the Northern Territory Rugby League Referees Association and the broader Rugby League community.
NRL NT also acknowledged the ongoing contribution of the Northern Territory Government and its corporate, community and media partners. Their investment extends well beyond branding, helping provide competitions, programs, facilities and opportunities for people across the Territory to participate in Rugby League.
The 2026 Frank Johnson & Gaynor Maggs Medal Awards ultimately belonged to the people of the game.
Congratulations to every nominee and award recipient, and thank you to every club, volunteer, coach, match official, partner, family and supporter who has contributed to another positive year for Rugby League in the Northern Territory.
Our House. Our Rugby League Community.
Images Thanks to Knock on Media.
