View source for IRL Golden Boot Award

{{Short description|International rugby league award}}

The '''IRL Golden Boot Award''' (previously '''''Open Rugby'' Golden Boot Award''' and '''''Rugby League World Golden Boot'' Award''')<ref name="IRL 2023">{{Cite web |title=International Rugby League Golden Boot Awards |url=https://www.intrl.sport/golden-boot-awards/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Rugby League International Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205145824/https://www.intrl.sport/golden-boot-awards/ |archive-date=5 February 2024}}</ref> is an annual [[rugby league]] award, presented by the [[International Rugby League]] (IRL), awarded to the best player of the calendar year. There are categories for men's, women's, and [[Wheelchair rugby league|wheelchair]] players.

The IRL purchased the rights to the award from ''League Publications Ltd.'' in 2017, who in turn purchased it from its original awarders ''[[Rugby League World|Open Rugby]]'' in 1998 who started the award in 1984.<ref name="IRL 2023" />

Upon purchase IRL introduced a women's category starting in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://philcaplan.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/rlif-to-present-2018-golden-boot-for-both-male-and-female-players/ |title=RLIF to present 2018 Golden Boot for both male and female players |publisher=RLIF |date=22 October 2018 |access-date=22 October 2018}}</ref> with the wheelchair category coming a year later.

==History==

The award was founded in early 1985 by the British magazine ''Open Rugby.'' It was first awarded to [[Wally Lewis]] for his performances throughout 1984.

No award was made between 1990 and 1998 due to organisational difficulties. 

''League Publications Ltd'' bought the rights to the award in 1999 and began awarding the Golden Boot  on the same year it was assessed.

Andrew Johns collected the award in 1999 and again in 2001, becoming the first player to win it twice. [[Darren Lockyer]] repeated that feat, winning in 2003 and 2006 becoming the first player to win twice while playing in different positions.

In 2011, ''Rugby League World'' magazine began to award retrospective Golden Boots to fill in "the missing years" of 1990 to 1998, starting with [[Garry Schofield]] who was adjudged to have won the 1990 Golden Boot. 

No further Golden Boots were retrospectively awarded as sponsors [[Adidas]] withdrew their backing.

The [[International Rugby League]] purchased the rights to award the Golden Boot in 2017.<ref name="IRL 2023" />

==Winners - Men==
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
! scope="col"| Year 
! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Nat.|Nationality}} 
! scope="col"| Player  
! scope="col"| Club(s)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! colspan="8" |'''''Open Rugby'' Golden Boot'''
|-
| 1984 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Wally|Lewis}} || [[Wynnum-Manly Seagulls]] <br> [[Wakefield Trinity]] || {{rlp|FE-SO}} ||
|-
| 1985 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Brett|Kenny}} ||[[Parramatta Eels]]|| {{rlp|FE}} ||
|- 
| 1986 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Garry|Jack}} || [[Balmain Tigers]]|| {{rlp|FB}} ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1987{{efn-lr|The 1987 Golden Boot was shared by two winners}} || {{flagicon|NZL}} || {{sortname|Hugh|McGahan}} || [[Eastern Suburbs Roosters]] || {{Rlp|SR}} ||
|-
|{{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Peter|Sterling|dab=rugby league}} ||  [[Parramatta Eels]] || {{rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 1988 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Ellery|Hanley}} || [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] <br> [[Balmain Tigers]] || {{rlp|FE-SO}} ||
|-
| 1989 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Mal|Meninga}} || [[Canberra Raiders]] || {{Rlp|CE}} ||
|-
| 1990{{efn-lr|Retrospective award made in 2011}} || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Garry|Schofield}} || [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] || {{rlp|FE-SO}} ||
|-
|''1991–98''
| colspan="8" style="text-align:center;"|''No award given''
|-
! colspan="8" |'''''Rugby League World'' Golden Boot'''
|-
| 1999 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Andrew|Johns}} || [[Newcastle Knights]] || {{Rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 2000 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Brad|Fittler}} || [[Sydney Roosters]] || {{rlp|FE}} ||
|-
| 2001 ||{{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Andrew|Johns}} {{small|(2)}} || [[Newcastle Knights]] || {{Rlp|HB}} || 
|-
| 2002 || {{flagicon|NZL}} || {{sortname|Stacey|Jones}} || [[New Zealand Warriors]] || {{Rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 2003 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Darren|Lockyer}} || [[Brisbane Broncos]] || {{Rlp|FB}} ||
|-
| 2004 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Andy|Farrell}} || [[Wigan Warriors]] || {{Rlp|LF}} ||
|-
| 2005 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Anthony|Minichiello}} || [[Sydney Roosters]] || {{Rlp|FB}} ||
|-
| 2006 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Darren|Lockyer}} {{small|(2)}} || [[Brisbane Broncos]] || {{Rlp|FE}} ||
|-
| 2007 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Cameron|Smith|dab=rugby league, born 1983}} ||  [[Melbourne Storm]] || {{Rlp|HK}} ||
|-
| 2008 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Billy|Slater}} || [[Melbourne Storm]] || {{Rlp|FB}} ||
|-
| 2009 ||{{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Greg|Inglis}} || [[Melbourne Storm]] || {{Rlp|CE}} ||
|-
| 2010 ||{{flagicon|NZL}}|| {{sortname|Benji|Marshall}} || [[Wests Tigers]] || {{Rlp|FE}} ||
|-
| 2011 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} ||  [[North Queensland Cowboys]] || {{Rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 2012 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Kevin|Sinfield}} || [[Leeds Rhinos]] || {{Rlp|FE}} ||
|-
| 2013 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} {{small|(2)}} ||  [[North Queensland Cowboys]] || {{Rlp|FE}} ||
|-
| 2014 || {{flagicon|NZL}} || {{sortname|Shaun|Johnson}} ||  [[New Zealand Warriors]] || {{Rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 2015 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} {{small|(3)}} || [[North Queensland Cowboys]] || {{Rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 2016 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Cooper|Cronk}} ||  [[Melbourne Storm]] || {{Rlp|HB}} ||
|-
| 2017 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Cameron|Smith|dab=rugby league, born 1983}} {{small|(2)}} || [[Melbourne Storm]] || {{Rlp|HK}} ||
|-
! colspan="8" |'''[[International Rugby League|IRL]] Golden Boot'''
|-
| 2018 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Tommy|Makinson}} || [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]|| {{Rlp|WG}} || <ref name="2018ref1">{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/46132021.amp | title=England's Makinson wins Golden Boot | date=7 November 2018 }}</ref>
|-
| 2019 ||{{flagicon|NZL}} || {{sortname|Roger|Tuivasa-Sheck}} || [[New Zealand Warriors]]|| {{Rlp|FB}} || <ref name="2019ref1">{{cite web | url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/roger-tuivasa-sheck-and-jessica-sergis-win-2019-golden-boot | title=Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jessica Sergis win 2019 Golden Boot | date=17 November 2019 }}</ref><ref name="2019ref2">{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/50451307.amp | title=Tuivasa-Sheck wins 2019 Golden Boot | date=17 November 2019 }}</ref>
|-
|''2020–21''
| colspan="8" {{N/A|''No award given due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''}}
|-
|2022|| {{flagicon|NZL}}|| {{sortname|Joseph|Manu}} || [[Sydney Roosters]]|| {{Rlp|FB}} ||<ref name="2022ref1">{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/61232/seb-bechara-and-jack-brown-have-been-shortlisted-for-the-2022-irl-golden-boot-award | title=Seb Bechara and Jack Brown have been shortlisted for the 2022 IRL Golden Boot award }}</ref>
|-
|2023|| {{flagicon|NZL}}|| {{sortname|James|Fisher-Harris}} || [[Penrith Panthers]]|| {{Rlp|PR}} ||<ref name="2023ref1">{{cite web | url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/rugby-league/news/15314/13017879/golden-boot-england-internationals-harry-smith-and-lewis-king-make-mens-and-wheelchair-shortlists | title=Golden Boot: England internationals Harry Smith and Lewis King make men's and wheelchair shortlists }}</ref><ref name="2023ref2">{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62346/2023-irl-golden-boot-winners-announced | title=2023 IRL Golden Boot winners announced }}</ref><ref name="NRL 2023">{{Cite web|title=Fisher-Harris, Hale and Bourson named 2023 Golden Boot winners |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/12/06/fisher-harris-hale-and-bourson-named-2023-golden-boot-winners/ |date=6 December 2023 |website=National Rugby League |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2024|| {{flagicon|AUS}}|| {{sortname|Isaah|Yeo}} || [[Penrith Panthers]]|| {{Rlp|LK}} ||<ref>{{cite web  |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/12/11/leadership-skill-decision-making-yeo-ends-aussie-golden-boot-drought/ |title=Leadership, skill, decision making: Yeo ends Aussie Golden Boot drought |website=National Rugby League |date=11 December 2024 |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=8 | Additional references:<ref name="IRL 2023" />
|}
{{smalldiv|1=
''Notes:''
{{notelist-lr}}
}}

===By nationality===
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Nationality 
|-
| 20 || {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] 
|-
| 7 || {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]]
|-
| 5 ||  {{flagicon|England}} [[England national rugby league team|England]]
|-
|}

===By position===
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Position 
|-
| 9 ||  {{rlp|FE-SO}} 
|-
| 8 ||  {{rlp|HB-SH}}
|-
| 5 ||{{rlp|FB}}
|-
| rowspan=3|2 ||  {{rlp|CE}}
|-
| {{rlp|HK}}
|-
|  {{rlp|LK-LF}}
|-
| rowspan=3|1 || {{rlp|PR}}
|-
| {{rlp|SR}}
|-
| {{rlp|WG}}

|}

===By club===
NOTE: Clubs shared the award in 1984, 1985 and 1988

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Club || Years
|-
| 5 ||  {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] || 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017 
|-
| 4 ||  {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] || 1987, 2000, 2005, 2022
|-
| rowspan=3|3 ||  {{flagicon|NZL}} {{leagueicon|New Zealand|16}} [[New Zealand Warriors]]|| 2002, 2014, 2019
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] || 2011, 2013, 2015
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]] || 1985, 1988, 2004
|-
| rowspan=6|2 ||  {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Balmain|16}} [[Balmain Tigers]] || 1986, 1988
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]] || 2003, 2006
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]] || 1990, 2012
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Newcastle Knights]] || 1999, 2001
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Parramatta Eels]] || 1985, 1987
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]] || 2023, 2024
|-
| rowspan=5|1 ||  {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]] || 1989 
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] || 2018 
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Wakefield|16}} [[Wakefield Trinity]] || 1984
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16}} [[Wests Tigers]] || 2010
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Wynnum Manly Seagulls]] || 1984
|-
|}

===Multiple winners===
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Number || Player || Years  || Nationality 
|-
| 3 ||  [[Johnathan Thurston]] || 2011, 2013, 2015 || Australia 
|-
| rowspan=3|2 ||  [[Andrew Johns]] || 1999, 2001 || Australia
|-
| [[Darren Lockyer]] || 2003, 2006 || Australia
|-
| [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] || 2007, 2017 || Australia
|}

==Winners - Women==

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
! scope="col"| Year 
! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Nat.|Nationality}} 
! scope="col"| Player  
! scope="col"| Club(s)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|2018 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Isabelle|Kelly}} || [[Sydney Roosters Women|Sydney Roosters]] || {{rlp|CE}} ||<ref name="2018ref1" />
|-
|2019 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Jessica|Sergis}} || [[St. George Illawarra Dragons Women|St. George Illawarra Dragons]] || {{rlp|CE}} || <ref name="2019ref1" /><ref name="2019ref2" />
|-
|''2020–21''|| colspan="5" {{N/A|''No award given due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''}}
|-
|2022 || {{flagicon|NZL}} || {{sortname|Raecene|McGregor}} || [[Sydney Roosters Women|Sydney Roosters]] || {{rlp|HB}} ||<ref name="2022ref1" />
|-
|2023 || {{flagicon|NZL}} || {{sortname|Georgia|Hale|dab=rugby league}} || [[Gold Coast Titans Women|Gold Coast Titans]] || {{rlp|LK}} || <ref name="2023ref1" /><ref name="2023ref2" />
|-
|2024 || {{flagicon|AUS}} || {{sortname|Tarryn|Aiken}} || {{rlw team|sydney}} || {{rlp|FE}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2024/12/10/tarryn-aiken-wins-2024-golden-boot/ |title=Tarryn Aiken Wins 2024 Golden Boot |website=Sydney Roosters |date=10 December 2024 |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=6 | Additional references:<ref name="IRL 2023" /><ref name="NRL 2023" />
|}

===By nationality===
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Nationality 
|-
| 3 ||  {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Australia women's national rugby league team|Australia]] 
|-
| 2 || {{flagicon|NZL}} [[New Zealand women's national rugby league team|New Zealand]]
|}

===By position===
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Position 
|-
| 2 ||  {{rlp|CE}}
|-
| rowspan=3|1 ||  {{rlp|HB}}
|-
| {{rlp|LK}}
|-
| {{rlp|FE}}
|}

===By club===

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Club || Years
|-
| 3 || {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters Women|Sydney Roosters]] || 2018, 2022, 2024
|-
| rowspan=2|1 || {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans|16}} [[Gold Coast Titans Women|Gold Coast Titans]] || 2023
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons Women|St. George Illawarra Dragons]] || 2019
|}

==Winners - Wheelchair==

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
! scope="col"| Year 
! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Nat.|Nationality}} 
! scope="col"| Player  
! scope="col"| Club(s)
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2019 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Jack|Brown|dab=wheelchair rugby league}} || [[Halifax Panthers Wheelchair|Halifax]] || <ref name="2019ref1" /><ref name="2019ref2" />
|-
|''2020–21''|| colspan="4" {{N/A|''No award given due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''}}
|-
| 2022 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Seb|Bechara}} || [[Catalans Dragons Wheelchair|Catalans Dragons]] || <ref name="2022ref1" /> 
|-
| 2023 || {{flagicon|FRA}} || {{sortname|Jérémy|Bourson}} ||  [[Catalans Dragons Wheelchair|Catalans Dragons]] ||<ref name="2023ref1" /><ref name="2023ref2" />
|-
| 2024 || {{flagicon|ENG}} || {{sortname|Rob|Hawkins|dab=wheelchair rugby league}} || [[Halifax Panthers Wheelchair|Halifax]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cq8qkpp8zyeo |title=Hawkins lands wheelchair Golden Boot award |work=BBC Sport |date=9 December 2024 |access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=5 | Additional references:<ref name="IRL 2023" /><ref name="NRL 2023" />
|}

===By nationality===

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Nationality 
|-
| 3 ||  {{flagicon|ENG}} [[England national wheelchair rugby league team|England]] 
|-
| 1 ||  {{flagicon|FRA}} [[France national wheelchair rugby league team|France]]
|}

===By club===

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Wins || Club || Years
|-
| 2 || {{flagicon|FRA}} {{leagueicon|Catalans|16}} [[Catalans Dragons Wheelchair|Catalans Dragons]] || 2022, 2023
|-
| 2 || {{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax Panthers Wheelchair|Halifax]] || 2019, 2024
|}

==See also==
* [[International Rugby League]]
* [[RLIF Awards]]
* [[Rugby League World]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.totalrl.com/ Rugby League World Magazine]

{{Rugby League Golden Boot Award Winners}}
{{International Rugby League}}

[[Category:Rugby league trophies and awards]]