'A huge honour': Tarryn Aiken celebrates 'surreal' women's IRL Golden Boot award
Updated . First published at
Tarryn Aiken's standout year has been rewarded with the representative halfback presented with the women's IRL Golden Boot as the international player of the year.
In 2024, Aiken celebrated premiership glory with the Sydney Roosters, a historic State of Origin series victory with the Queensland Maroons and the Australian Jillaroos' Pacific Cup triumph.
Aiken received her Golden Boot trophy from NRL Hall of Famer Tarsha Gale at Rugby League Central in Sydney on Friday.
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Tarryn Aiken is presented the IRL Woman's Golden Boot trophy by NRL Hall of Famer Tarsha Gale. @jimmyjack244 via X
The gong adds to Aiken's impressive list of achievements this year which included the Karyn Murphy Medal as the best player in the Roosters' 32-28 NRLW grand final victory over the Sharks and player of the match in the Jillaroos' 24-4 Pacific Championships final win over the Kiwi Ferns.
Murphy herself served as a judge for the Golden Boot, along with New Zealand dual code superstar Honey Hireme-Smiler and England international Danika Priim.
The trio unanimously voted in favour of Aiken.
A former Australian touch football representative, moving from five-eighth to halfback this year unlocked the 25-year-old's speed and power.
"It hasn't really sunk in. It still feels a bit surreal," Aiken told News Corp.
"It's a huge honour to receive such a prestigious award, and I'm really grateful to get it.
Tarryn Aiken poses with her medal for player of the match during the Pacific Cup women's final between the Australian Jillaroos and New Zealand Kiwi Ferns. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
"It doesn't feel a whole lot different [to other years with how I've played]. There has been a lot of success, but I think that comes back to the teams and systems I've been in.
"Being with the Roosters has really helped my football and taken it to the next level.
"Coming through, I was always more of a six. But since I joined the Roosters, 'Strangey' [coach John Strange] has really helped me understand the game more and take my game to the next level to take control of the team and not just be an instinctive player."
Aiken was pleased with Strange's appointment as the new head coach of the NSW Sky Blues ― even if he did joke that he hoped his sole Roosters-Maroons representative would be ruled out of next year's Origin series with injury.
Taking over from Kylie Hilder in the top job, Strange admitted rivals such as Aiken would prove a headache as the Sky Blues try to win back the shield in 2025.
Aiken laughed off the sledge, stating Strange would not want her out of the game too long with the Roosters eyeing another title.
"He obviously doesn't want me to get injured for too long because he wants me to play NRLW," she said.
"I'm stoked for him. He deserves the role because I think he's the best coach in women's rugby league. It's really good for State of Origin and the women's game to have him coaching.
"I don't think it'll be awkward [at the Roosters]. I pick his brain a lot during the season, so it'll definitely be interesting with the game plan he comes up with against me."
Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo was also presented with the men's Golden Boot award on Friday.
