Thurston, Upton named best Indigenous League players

July 15, 2026

Jonathan Thurston and Tamika Upton have been named the best Indigenous rugby league players of the past 50 years in a poll conducted by the NRL and C9.

Thurston – JT – narrowly beat out GI – Greg Inglis – in the men’s category and fullback Upton took the women’s title – the only female player to win two Dally M Medals.

Cowboys’ Johnathan Thurston in action against Wests Tigers. (AAP Image/Action Photographics/Jonathan Ng)

NRL historian David Middleton compiled lists of 40 men and 20 women to choose from withb thousands voting in the C9 poll.

The late great Arthur Beetson was third and South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell fourth.

Greg Inglis came second in a poll to find the best Indigenous player.

Upton beat Lavina O’Mealey to the women’s gong with Caryl Jarrett third and Jaime Chapman fourth.

“I’m a little lost for words, really,” Thurston told Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday.

“Given the calibre of players that have come before me – Lionel Morgan and Artie Beetson, who was the first Indigenous person to captain Australia in any sport – I’m a little bit lost for words.”

Men’s Top 10

10. Alex Johnston – Saibai Island
9. Gorden Tallis -Torres Strait Islander
8. Preston Campbell – Gamilaroi
7. Matt Bowen – Sahara Warra
6. Cliff Lyons – Wiradjuri
5. Laurie Daley – Wiradjuri
4. Latrell Mitchell – Biripi/Woradjuri
3. Artie Beetson – Gubbi Gubbi-Wiradjuri
2. Greg Inglis – Dunghutti
1. Jonathan Thurston – Gungarri

Tamika Upton was named best women’s indigenous player.

Women’s Top 20

Tamika Upton – Barada
Teresa Anderson
Shaylee Bent – Wiradjuri/Biripi
Jaime Chapman – Kamilaroi
Nakia Davis-Welsh – Dhungutti/
Gumbaynggirr/Weilwan/Wiradjuri
Kirra Dibb – Wonnarua
Quincy Dodd – Dharug
Katrina Fanning – Wiradjuri
Tallisa Harden – Argus/Wagadagum
Caitlan Johnston-Green – Awabakal/Gomeroi
Keilee Joseph – Biripi
Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Caryl Jarrett – Gumbaynggirr
Olivia Kernick – Wiradjuri
Mahalia Murphy – Kamilaroi
Lavina O’Mealey (née Phillips) – Bundjalung
Loretta O’Neill – Murrawarri/Yuwaalaraay Nhunggabarra
Rebecca Young – Worimi
Simone Smith – Dhungutti
Tracey Thompson – Tracey Thompson

Peter Rowe

Peter Rowe leads First Nations News as Editor, with over three decades of experience across international newsrooms, digital platforms and media strategy roles. For the past 20 years, he’s worked in Australia – reporting, editing and advising on stories that shape public debate.