LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

Brown, Haas, Walsh among Golden Boot contenders

Kiwis playmaker Dylan Brown, Toa Samoa prop Payne Haas, and Kangaroos duo Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh are leading candidates for the 2025 IRL Golden Boot award.

Brown, who is set to join Newcastle on a 10-year contract next season, has been a pivotal player for New Zealand, contributing significantly to their resurgence that led them to the Pacific Cup final against Samoa. This follows a year when they faced the threat of relegation in a play-off against Papua New Guinea.

Payne Haas has made a remarkable impact for Samoa after changing his international allegiance, establishing himself as a key player for the sold-out final at CommBank Stadium.

Walsh and Munster have been instrumental in Australia's successful Ashes Series against England. Walsh made an impressive Test debut at Wembley during the opening match, which ended with a 26-6 victory for the Kangaroos, while Munster guided the team to a 14-4 win against England at Everton last weekend.

Edwin Ipape, the Kumuls hooker, is also in the 2025 Golden Boot running, having shown excellent leadership as a young player leading PNG to retain the Pacific Bowl for a third consecutive year against Fiji and Cook Islands.

New Zealand holds the highest number of contenders, with Canberra Raiders forward Joseph Tapine emerging as another significant candidate. Penrith Panthers players, including forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Moses Leota, along with backs Matt Timoko (Raiders) and Casey McLean (Panthers), are also in contention.