Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has made headlines with a humorous take on his nomination for the RLPA Players’ Champion award, playfully dubbing himself the "derrick of the year" due to his notorious on-field antics. The shortlist for this prestigious recognition was unveiled during Nine’s program, 100% Footy, showcasing four players from each NRL and NRLW club as top contenders.
The Players’ Champion award, which celebrates the finest players as voted by their peers, is set to be announced prior to the NRL grand final. Mulitalo expressed genuine surprise at his nomination, especially given his reputation for provoking opposing players throughout his games. "That would be nice – I’m surprised they even called me up," he remarked, adding with a grin, "I’ll take it."
In a conversation with former teammate Paul Gallen, the 25-year-old admitted to occasionally getting carried away with his style of play, acknowledging his ‘derrick’ reputation. "I like to keep things interesting for the fans. That’s what footy is about," he explained. Reflecting on past matches, Mulitalo recounted a game against Melbourne Storm where he baited rival players, emphasizing the importance of maintaining energy for his teammates while deflecting it away from adversaries.
Meanwhile, another player making waves is Rueben Cherrington from the Parramatta Eels, whose nomination has brought much joy to her sister, discussing her recent comeback after a difficult injury period. Joining the conversation, Cherrington highlighted the importance of the Players’ Champion award, noting its respect within the NRL, perhaps even surpassing the revered Dally M award. She expressed pride for her sister’s resilience, as well as the unique consideration of having support from fellow players in these nominations.
The excitement surrounding the awards continues to build, with Wide World Of Sports promising to release a complete list of nominees shortly, enhancing the anticipation for the celebrations leading up to the grand final.