Talented young Manly players Ashton Large and Dior O’Davis have taken home the major awards at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2026 Junior Representative Awards on Tuesday night.
Ashton Large claimed the prestigious Jake Trbojevic Award for the Junior Male Player of the Year with O’Davis winning the Female Player of the Year Award.
Both players also collected the Player of the Year awards for their respective SG Ball Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup teams.
Held at Manly Leagues Club, around 225 guests celebrated the achievements of players from the Lisa Fiaola, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup teams.
Manly interim coach Kieran Foran attended the presentation night along with current Sea Eagles stars in local juniors Jake Trbojevic, Joey Walsh, and Josh Feledy.
Entertainment was provided by singer Jaymee Lancaster, the niece of former Sea Eagles player, Tom Symonds.
The 2026 season saw the Sea Eagles make the Harold Matthews Cup (U17s) and SG Ball Cup (U19s) finals for the first time together in five years.
Large enjoyed a phenomenal season with the scheming 17-year-old hooker playing a major role in Manly making it through to the preliminary final.
It was a good night for the Large family, with talented five-eighth Onitoni taking home the Best Back Award for the SG Ball Cup team.
O’Davis was a popular winner of the Female Junior Player of the Year award.
The daughter of former Knights full-back Robbie, O’Davis certainly put in the hard yards on and off the field, travelling from Newcastle to attend Manly training and games.
A player with a tremendous work ethic, O’Davis showed her utility value at lock and hooker, earning the respect of her team-mates with her leadership and positive attitude.
Manly SG Ball Coach Lachlan Croker said Ashton Large was a clear and well-deserved winner.
“Kieran spoke on the night about the traits that make good NRL players and Ashton has got them all,’’ Croker said.
Ashton is a very respectful hard working and humble young man. He wants to learn, he listens and asks questions.
Lachlan Croker Sea Eagles SG Ball Coach
“He is an exceptional footballer. I'm very excited to see where his career ends up. Hopefully, he is at Manly for a very long time.”
2026 Junior Representative Awards
Lisa Fiaola Cup
Player of the Year: Erin Krenmayr
Best Back: Ruby King
Best Forward: Tia Neave
Coach’s Award: Jasmin Berry
Tarsha Gale Cup
Player of the Year: Dior O’Davis
Best Back: Lara Edwards
Best Forward: Malia Sio-Namulauulu
Coach’s Award: Ashton Daley
Harold Matthews Cup
Player of the Year: Billy Miller
Best Back: Jack Smith
Best Forward: Ash Dene
Coach’s Award: Jett Watkin
SG Ball Cup
Player of the Year: Ashton Large
Best Back: Onitoni Large
Best Forward: Freddie Benson-Sparkes
Coach’s Award: Oscar Crotty
Major Awards
Jake Trbojevic Award (Junior Male Player of the Year): Ashton Large
Female Junior Player of the Year: Dior O’Davis
Staff Member of the Year: Todd Eadie
