Manly Warringah Sea Eagles forward Haumole Olakau’atu has taken home Roy Bull 'Best and Fairest' Award for season 2026.
The Sea Eagles’ Best & Fairest Award is named in honour of Roy Bull who played 177 games at prop for Manly and became the Club’s first Australian International in 1949. Bull ended up playing 25 Tests for Australia and 26 games for NSW.
Olakau’atu was also named Players’ Player, as voted for by his Manly teammates.
And it didn’t stop there for the 27-year-old Tongan International.
On the back of a tremendous season, Olakau’atu also collected the Gordon Willoughby Medallion as the Player of the Year voted for by Manly Members, and the prestigious Blue-Collar Award.
The right edge wrecking ball has been immense for the Sea Eagles in 2026, bouncing back from an injury-interrupted 2025 to re-establish himself as one of the NRL’s most damaging forwards.
‘Shmole’ scored nine tries in 21 games amassing 3,598 run metres across the season. That’s an incredible 171 run metres on average per game to go with a staggering 128 tackle breaks.
To put the tackle busts into perspective, only three other players in the NRL – all speedy outside backs – broke more tackles than Haumole.
His irresistible form, which coincided with Manly’s run of eight wins from 10 games, quite rightly earned Haumole NSW Origin selection, alongside last year’s Player of the Year, Tolu Koula.
A few games where his numbers jump off the page include the team’s victories over South Sydney and Parramatta at 4 Pines Park, and the big win over the Wests Tigers in Magic Round.
Against the Eels in Round 8 he ran for 226 metres, including 98 post-contact metres, while also making nine tackle breaks.
His performance in Magic Round rubber-stamped his Origin selection, with 261 run metres from 21 carries to go with 11 tackle breaks.
And against the Rabbitohs he chalked up 266 run metres from 22 carries, 140 of those metres being post contact.
Jamal Fogarty, in his first year at the Sea Eagles, received the prestigious Doug Daley Club Person of the Year Award.
This award is not so much about on-field performance but about bringing a team culture to the work environment, and displaying core values of integrity, respect and professionalism.
Fogarty, the team’s leading point scorer also took home the Club Community Award.
Nineteen-year-old prop Simione Laiafi received the Ken Arthurson Rising Star Award after being one of three players to make their NRL debut this season. His NRL debut against the Roosters in Round 4 was one of 15 appearances for the season.
Several other awards were presented, including the ‘Menzies Medal’ for the Play of the Year.
This award was taken out by Tolu Koula for a couple of try saving tackles in the team’s Round 7 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville. These were a couple of big efforts that changed the momentum in the game.
Big Play: Koula try-saver in Townsville
Long-serving trainer Alex Ross has been recognized for his 30 years of service to the Club, taking home the Recognition for Service Award which was presented by Chairman Scott Penn and Manly legend Anthony Watmough.
Experienced utility Zach Dockar-Clay was rewarded for a strong season by claiming the Bob Batty Best and Fairest Award in the NSW Cup.
Edge forward Jackson Shereb, who made his NRL debut in Round 10, was voted Players’ Player in the NSW Cup.
The Jersey Flegg Russ Bull Best and Fairest Award was taken out by talented half Charlie Boyle, with second row Will Lane voted Jersey Flegg Players’ Player.
2026 Manly Sea Eagles Award winners
NRL Roy Bull Best and Fairest: Haumole Olakau’atu
NRL Players’ Player Award: Haumole Olakau’atu
NRL Doug Daley Club Person of the Year Award: Jamal Fogarty
Recognition for Service - 30 Years: Alex Ross
Blue Collar Award: Haumole Olakau’atu
Ken Arthurson Rising Star Award: Simione Laiafi
Menzies Medal Play of the Year: Tolu Koula
Gordon Willoughby Medallion: Haumole Olakau’atu
NRL Leading Point Scorer Award: Jamal Fogarty
NRL Leading Try Scorer Award: Lehi Hopoate
NRL Club Wellbeing and Education Award: Brandon Wakeham
NRL Club Community Award: Jamal Fogarty
NSW Cup Bob Batty Best and Fairest Award: Zach Dockar-Clay
NSW Cup Players’ Player Award: Jackson Shereb
Jersey Flegg Russ Bull Best and Fairest Award: Charlie Boyle
Jersey Flegg Cup Players’ Player: Will Lane
