Tarryn Aiken is set to cap an unparalleled season if the Roosters, Maroons and Jillaroos playmaker is able to add the IRL Golden Boot to the swag of trophies and medals she has already won in 2024.
Aiken is one of six finalists for the prestigious award as international player of the year, along with Jillaroos team-mates Tamika Upton and Tiana Penitani, Kiwi Ferns forward Annessa Biddle, Fetu Samoa captain Annetta-Claudia Nu’uasuala and England’s Jodie Cunningham.
The award would be a stunning finale to a remarkable season in which Aiken was a key member of the winning NRLW premiership, State of Origin and Pacific Cup teams.
The star halfback was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal as NRLW player of the grand final, won the player of the final in the Pacific Cup and will complete a feat no other female player has achieved if she also wins the Golden Boot.
Sydney Roosters team-mates Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis were previous Golden Boot winners to also enjoy success at State of Origin and international level in 2018 and 2019 respectively but fell short of premiership victory.
“It’s been a crazy year,” Aiken told pan66.com. “Obviously, with Origin, then through to winning the premiership, it was unreal, and then to top it off with the Jillaroos was really good, really exciting…
“Growing up I’d always watch Test matches with my dad and my brother. That’s like my earliest memories, watching the ANZAC Day Test matches with the Kangaroos and the Kiwis, so to do it with the Jillaroos is honestly a dream come true.”
The 2024 Karyn Murphy Medallist
What makes Aiken’s feats even more impressive is that she was initially ruled out for the season after suffering an AC joint injury in Round 7 of the NRLW competition and required painkilling injections to play.
Returning for the Roosters in the preliminary final, Aiken’s remarkable season went from strength to strength as she steered the club to their second NRLW premiership and helped the Jillaroos avenge last year’s loss to the Kiwi Ferns.
“When I first went down, the medical staff ruled me out to start with, so I thought my season was over, but I worked really hard to get back,” Aiken said.
“I really wanted to get back on the field for the Roosters and to then play for the Jillaroos, I’m just really happy.
“You don’t play the game for individual accolades. I’d love to go back-to-back with the Roosters, obviously that’s my next goal. I’ll have a little holiday first and then get back to work, but the goal now is just moving on to next year.”
From the field: Tarryn Aiken
Aiken’s next task is set to be with the Jillaroos in the historic Las Vegas Test against England in Las Vegas as part of a quadruple header which includes the NRL season opener and a Super League match at Allegiant Stadium on March 1.
“It’s crazy to even think that we’re going to Vegas and that we get to play there,” Aiken said. “I’ve never been to America, so you know, hopefully I’m there.”
Provided she is fit, there is little doubt Aiken will be one of the first players chosen for the Jillaroos as she has now taken over the chief playmaking role from her mentor and representative team-mate Ali Brigginshaw.
Tarryn Aiken Try
The pair continued their halves partnership for Queensland and Australia this season, but Aiken is now the one calling the shots, while Brigginshaw continues to lead as captain.
“It’s so good playing alongside her. She’s been with me pretty much the whole way, especially early on in my career," Aiken said.
"I love playing with Ali and I think our combination just keeps getting better and better the more we play together. We have won some pretty cool things together."
