More recognition came Patricia Maliepo’s way when the One New Zealand Warriors rookie playmaker joined four of the game’s superstars as a finalist for the coveted player-voted NRLW Players’ Champion award.
The 22-year-old Aucklander had a stunning debut season which saw her named at five eighth in the 2025 NRLW Players’ Dream team.
She was also in contention for the Dally M Team of the Year as one of three finalists for the Dally M Five Eighth of the Year alongside Brisbane’s Kiwi international Gayle Broughton and Sydney Roosters #6 Jocelyn Kelleher. Broughton took out the award on Wednesday night.
Then the following day Maliepo was revealed as a finalist for the supreme Players’ Champion award. She was in exceptional company with Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton – who won the Dally M Medal this week – 2024 Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick, legendary Roosters centre Isabella Kelly and Broncos centre Julia Robinson who was just pipped by teammate Upton for the Dally M.
In the end Upton made it two out of two matching her Dally M Medal with the Players' Champion award.
Former Black Fern Maliepo (22) announced her arrival on the NRLW stage on debut, scoring the Warriors’ first try in their opening match of the season against the Roosters.
While concussion and injury kept her out of two games, Maliepo was exceptional in her nine appearances scoring four tries and kicking 17 goals for a total of 50 points. Averaging 86 running metres, 44 tackles and 137 kicking metres a game, she also had 32 tackle breaks.
