Brad O’Neill has been voted the 2026 Player of the Year by the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) for his starring role in another dominant season for Wigan Warriors.
And Ken Davy OBE has won the RLWBA’s Merit Award for services to the sport and its presentation in the media, in recognition of his outstanding support of the Huddersfield club for the last three decades.
The RLWBA introduced its own player of the year award in the first Super League season in 1996, and O’Neill becomes the eighth Wigan player to win it, joining a distinguished list stretching back to Andy Farrell in 1997 and including his current team-mates Bevan French in 2020 and Jai Field in 2022.
The 24-year-old has been a key figure at hooker as the Warriors have won the Betfred Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield, earning a place in the Super League Dream Team for the first time.
He is only the second hooker to win the award, following James Roby of St Helens in 2018, and takes this award ahead of other nominees Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Jai Field , Bevan French, Adam Keighran, Lachie Miller and Harry Smith.
The RLWBA’s Merit Award stretches back even further, to 1983, and Ken Davy OBE will receive the Arthur Brooks Trophy, named in memory of a long-serving former Daily Mirror Rugby League correspondent.
Trevor Hunt, the Chair of the RLWBA, said:
“We’re delighted to recognise the outstanding contributions made to the sport by Brad O’Neill on the field for Wigan Warriors this season, and by Ken Davy OBE off the field over three decades at the Huddersfield Giants.
“Brad is the sort of tough, no-nonsense player whose contribution is often overlooked, but it’s clear from any conversation with his team-mates and coaches, and the Wigan supporters, that he is hugely respected and valued by everyone at The Brick Community Stadium.
“He won more than 30% of the votes cast by our members, and it’s great to give him this deserved recognition.
“It’s not for us to make Brian McDermott’s selection for the World Cup, but we hope Brad has a few more big performances in him this autumn wearing the England shirt in Australia.
“We are also pleased to recognise Ken Davy for the commitment and loyalty he has shown to the Huddersfield Giants since he first took over as chairman in 1996.
“They weren’t in the Super League then and they hadn’t played in the top division for almost two decades, but Ken’s investment has established them as a Super League club for 28 of the last 29 seasons, during which they have regularly been Play-Off contenders, winning the League Leaders’ Shield in 2013.
“They have also reached three Challenge Cup Finals, and it was impossible not to feel for Ken as the Giants fell at the final hurdle at Twickenham in 2006, Wembley in 2009 and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022.
“Following his decision in June to stand down as Chair, this is a fitting time for the RLWBA to show our appreciation for Ken’s contribution.”
