While the prestigious Players' Champion title ultimately went to Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, One New Zealand Warriors loose forward Erin Clark had the distinction of being voted by his peers as one of the top five players of the 2026 NRKL season.
In an award decided by players across the NRL's 17 clubs, Clark was one of the five finalists vying for the accolade alongside Cleary, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Manly Warringah second rower Haumole Olakau’atu and Roosters fullback James Tedesco.
Last week the 29-year-old 146-game veteran Clark was named at loose forward in the RLPA’s Dream Team for the second year running.
It followed him winning the One New Zealand People’s Choice accolade at the Warriors’ 2026 annual awards on September 15.
The ever-present Clark was the only player to appear in each of the Warriors’ 26 games this year after also playing all 25 in his return to the club last season. He averaged 134 metres and 27 tackles a game in 2026 while he totalled 1217 post-contact metres.
