LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
Apii Nicholls, captain of the NZ Warriors, has been awarded the full six Dally M points following her impressive performance in the team's round two victory over Parramatta at Go Media Stadium.
This match marked a significant achievement, as the Warriors secured their first defensive clean sheet since joining the competition in 2018, becoming the first team this season to keep their opponents scoreless.
In addition to Nicholls, prop Harata Butler, winger Michaela Brake, and loose forward Laishon Albert-Jones shared five other points among them.
Nicholls excelled on both offense and defense, amassing 141 metres from 14 runs, contributing with a line break assist, a try assist, an offload, and six tackle breaks.
Notably, her defensive skills shone through as she made 10 tackles, featuring a remarkable effort against Eels fullback Abbi Church, which has been highlighted as a candidate for tackle of the year, along with another solid tackle on winger Martha Mataele.
Butler and Brake each earned two points, while Albert-Jones received one point for their contributions.
Nicholls' standout performance has placed her firmly in contention for the NRLW Dally M Medal.