Merv Cartwright Medal /

The Merv Cartwright Medal is awarded to the Penrith Panthers best and fairest player at the end of each season.

Named after club pioneer Merv Cartwright, the prestigious medal is the highest honour presented at the annual Panthers end-of-season awards night.

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo is the most recent Merv Cartwright Medal winner. He has been awarded the honour three times in total: 2018, 2023 and 2024.

Merv Cartwright Medallists

• 1967: Ern Gillon
• 1968: Michael Leary
• 1969: Michael Leary
• 1970: Laurie Fagan
• 1971: Zac Olejarnik
• 1972: Michael Leary
• 1973: Ron Lynch
• 1974: Tim Sheens
• 1975: Ross Gigg
• 1976: John King
• 1977: Paul Merlo
• 1978: Paul Merlo
• 1979: Darryl Brohman
• 1980: Henry Foster
• 1981: Royce Simmons
• 1982: Warren Fenton
• 1983: Brad Waugh
• 1984: Royce Simmons
• 1985: Greg Alexander
• 1986: Royce Simmons
• 1987: Royce Simmons
• 1988: Chris Mortimer
• 1989: Colin Van Der Voort
• 1990: Greg Alexander
• 1991: Steve Carter
• 1992: John Cartwright
• 1993: Brad Fittler
• 1994: Gary Freeman
• 1995: Steve Carter
• 1996: Carl McNamara
• 1997: Ryan Girdler
• 1998: Matt Adamson
• 1999: John Cross
• 2000: Craig Gower
• 2001: Scott Sattler
• 2002: Craig Gower
• 2003: Rhys Wesser
• 2004: Craig Gower
• 2005: Luke Priddis & Craig Gower
• 2006: Rhys Wesser
• 2007: Michael Jennings
• 2008: Petero Civoniceva
• 2009: Trent Waterhouse
• 2010: Luke Lewis
• 2011: Luke Walsh
• 2012: Kevin Kingston
• 2013: David Simmons
• 2014: Matt Moylan
• 2015: Tyrone Peachey
• 2016: Trent Merrin
• 2017: Reagan Campbell-Gillard
• 2018: Isaah Yeo
• 2019: James Fisher-Harris
• 2020: Nathan Cleary
• 2021: Nathan Cleary
• 2022: Dylan Edwards
• 2023: Isaah Yeo
• 2024: Isaah Yeo

John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination

In 1979, the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination was introduced.

The award is named after Panther no. 149, John Farragher, who suffered a severe spinal injury during a match and became a quadriplegic at just 21 years of age. He continued to work with Panthers at the Penrith Leagues Club for over 40 years after his accident, and is now a member of the Panthers Group Board of Directors.

The John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination is awarded annually to a player who has demonstrated standout bravery, resilience and strength.

• 1979: Tim Sheens
  
• 1980: Terry Wickey
  
• 1981: Lew Zivanovic
  
• 1982: Royce Simmons
• 1983: Mark Levy
• 1984: Matt Goodwin
  
• 1985: Matt Goodwin & Royce Simmons
• 1986: Chris Houghton
• 1987: Rob Robards
• 1988: Matt Goodwin
• 1989: Ryan Simmons
• 1990: David Greene
• 1991: Colin Van Der Voort
• 1992: Graham Mackay
• 1993: Carl MacNamara
• 1994: Danny Farrar
• 1995: Steve Waddell
• 1996: Ryan Girdler
• 1997: Matt Adamson
• 1998: Steve Carter
• 1999: Craig Gower
• 2000: Steve Carter
• 2001: Tony Puletua
• 2002: Martin Lang
• 2003: Preston Campbell
• 2004: Luke Priddis & Martin Lang
• 2005: Preston Campbell
• 2006: Luke Priddis
• 2007: Nathan Smith
• 2008: Luke Lewis
• 2009: Luke Walsh
• 2010: Lachlan Coote
• 2011: Travis Burns
• 2012: Kevin Kingston
• 2013: Nigel Plum
• 2014: Adam Docker
• 2015: Bryce Cartwright
• 2016: Peter Wallace
• 2017: Isaah Yeo
• 2018: Josh Mansour
• 2019: James Fisher-Harris
• 2020: James Fisher-Harris
• 2021: Dylan Edwards
• 2022: James Fisher-Harris
• 2023: Moses Leota
• 2024: Mitch Kenny

Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year

The Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year award recognises the Panthers best young player or debutant of each season.

The award was introduced in 1993, named in honour of Panther no. 292, Ben Alexander. A beloved member of the Penrith community and promising Panthers player, Alexander passed away tragically in 1992 at 20 years of age.

The award serves to ensure Ben Alexander's spirit and legacy live on through new generations of Penrith Panthers rising talent.

• 1993: Matt Sing
• 1994: Scott Pethybridge
• 1995: Scott McPherson
• 1996: Craig Gower
• 1997: Tony Puletua
• 1998: Rhys Wesser
• 1999: Matthew Rieck
• 2002: Luke Lewis
• 2003: Luke Swain
• 2004: Garret Crossman
• 2005: Matthew Cross
• 2006: Paul Aiton
• 2007: Michael Jennings
• 2008: Lachlan Coote
• 2009: Junior Tia-Kilifi
• 2010: Sandor Earl
• 2011: Nafe Seluini
• 2012: Josh Mansour
• 2013: Matt Moylan
• 2014: Bryce Cartwright & Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
• 2015: Reagan Campbell-Gillard
• 2016: James Fisher-Harris & Nathan Cleary
• 2017: Corey Harawira-Naera & Dylan Edwards
• 2018: Jack Hetherington
• 2019: Brian To'o
• 2020: Stephen Crichton
• 2021: Izack Tago
• 2022: Taylan May
• 2023: Sunia Turuva
• 2024: Liam Henry