The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and the Rugby Football League (RFL) have today announced the introduction of a new Player of the Series award for the 2025 Rugby League Ashes — the first Ashes series in 22 years.
The Fulton-Reilly Award will be awarded to the standout player across the three-Test series, commemorating two of the most influential figures in Ashes history: Bob Fulton AM and Malcolm Reilly OBE.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said the award was a fitting tribute to two men who helped define Rugby League's oldest rivalry.
“Bob Fulton and Malcolm Reilly were not only two of the greatest players to play the game, they were the benchmark of how much it means to represent your country", Mr V’landys said.
They went head-to-head as players, coaches, won Premierships together, and earned respect on both sides of the world. This new award recognises their legacy and the fierce, proud tradition of Ashes football.”
Bob Fulton, born in Warrington and raised in Australia, played 35 Tests for the Kangaroos, including four Ashes series. He later coached Australia against Reilly in three more Ashes campaigns. A multiple Premiership winner, he was one of the first players to be named an Immortal.
Malcolm Reilly, a Castleford legend, starred in Great Britain’s 1970 Ashes victory before joining Manly-Warringah, where he won back-to-back Grand Finals alongside Fulton. As coach, Reilly rallied an underdog Great Britain to famous Test Match victories across four Ashes series from 1988-94, and later guided the Newcastle Knights to their maiden premiership in 1997 — defeating a Manly side coached by Fulton in the Grand Final.
“These two men battled for The Ashes across three decades,” added Mr V’landys. “They were mates. They were rivals. They were winners. The Fulton-Reilly Award is about honouring history, excellence and inspiring the next generation to represent their nation.”
Malcolm Reilly OBE said:
“This is an honour – especially to be recognised alongside Bobby Fulton, who was such a wonderful Rugby League player and coach, and also a great friend over many years. Our sporting rivalry with Australia is fierce but also built on mutual respect, and I am delighted it is being revived with the Rugby League Ashes series this year. Good luck to the players of both teams.”
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes THIS SATURDAY. The two nations will meet in a three-match test series over 20 years in the making and with the second and third test completely SOLD OUT; Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 October is your only place to watch this fierce rivalry live!
Book your Wembley tickets here with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for U16’s.
The three-game Ashes Series will also be shown live on the BBC.
