LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

Shortlist revealed for 2025 IRL Golden Boot

The contenders for the 2025 IRL Golden Boot have been announced, featuring notable players such as Kiwis stars Dylan Brown and Joseph Tapine, Toa Samoa's standout prop Payne Haas, along with the Kangaroos' key players Harry Grant and Cameron Munster.

In addition, the shortlists for the Women's and Wheelchair Golden Boot awards have also been released. Three athletes from the dominant Jillaroos squad-Yasmin Clydsdale, Julia Robinson, and Tamika Upton-are in the running for the Women's Golden Boot.

Other nominees for the Women's award include Cook Islands halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls.

On the Wheelchair side, England's Rob Hawkins stands a chance of becoming the first athlete across any category to win consecutive Golden Boots, following his win in 2024. He is joined in the shortlist by teammate Nathan Collins, along with Australia's Bayley McKenna and Zac Schumacher, and Ireland's Joe Calcott.

Jack Brown, who was the inaugural recipient of the Wheelchair Golden Boot in 2019, is also a former winner.

Regardless of who emerges as the men's victor, the Golden Boot trophy will be graced by a new name, as it was first awarded in 1984 to the iconic Australian five-eighth Wally Lewis.

With Australia and England engaged in an Ashes Series concurrently with the Pacific Championships, judges will have the challenging responsibility of determining the international player of the year.