Tom Robertson has made Western Force history as the first-ever prop to win the prestigious Nathan Sharpe medal, while long-term captain Trilleen Pomare was crowned the Rebecca Clough medalist for the first time.
The Force held the Club’s annual Season Awards at the River View Rooms at Optus Stadium on Friday night, where the top individual performers across the 2025 SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s seasons were celebrated.
Re-born front-rower Robertson, 30, took out the top men’s individual accolade – named after the Club’s inaugural captain Nathan Sharpe and voted on a 3-2-1 basis by players after each game.
Robertson missed the entire 2024 season on a sabbatical at Oxford University after suffering an ACL injury late in the 2023 Super Rugby season.
The tireless prop, who didn’t miss a game this season and brought up his 100th in Round 5, had the second-most tackles (197) in Super Rugby in 2025, behind only team-mate Carlo Tizzano (198). His scrummaging was a highlight, while he was a willing attacking outlet with 71 carries for more than 300 carry metres.
Robertson polled votes in every game and finished on 267 votes, ahead of winger Harry Potter (241) and openside flanker Tizzano (200).
Potter had an exceptional season, sitting second across the league for clean breaks (20) and offloads (15) and third for defenders beaten (47) heading into Round 16, scoring seven tries. Tizzano is atop Super Rugby’s tries list with 13, along with a league-high 198 tackles. Locks Darcy Swain (196) and Jeremy Williams (136) rounded out the top five.
Force head coach Simon Cron said about Robertson: “He has been the rock in the team this year.
“He’s played the most amount of minutes as a front-row forward in the whole competition which is testament to his attitude and preparation. He’s got an unmatched work rate, tackle count and effective involvements.
“He’s done an incredible job having to play tighthead prop for us, especially when he’s a specialist loosehead. No one else could’ve done what he’s done and we’re thrilled to see that recognized.”
WA women’s rugby royalty Rebecca Clough was in attendance to present her medal to inside-centre Pomare, who has missed only one Force game since Super W’s inception in 2018 and has been the Club’s captain since 2020.
Wanneroo back Pomare had an outstanding 2025 Super W season, highlighted by ranking in the league-wide top 10 for successful tackles and dominant tackles.
The 32-year-old Wallaroo was an attacking threat with her powerful carries, quick feet, sharp offloads and tackle breaks, capped by a nice try in the Round 4 win over the Fijian Drua.
Pomare won the award on 74 votes ahead of experienced back-rower Anneka Stephens (71) and emerging local Tamika Jones (41).
Force Super W head coach Dylan Parsons said about Pomare: “Trill being voted in again by the playing group as our captain in 2025 just shows how respected she is within this group.
“This year was one of her best seasons I’ve seen. She came into the season in a really good position. She was very motivated for the team and herself to do well, and because of that we’ve seen some really good performances from her throughout the whole season.
“When things aren’t going well, she’s the first one to step up and try to make something happen. Trill leads through grit and determination. Her actions on the field have such an influence on this team. This award is well deserved.”
Homegrown Wallaby Tizzano was crowned the Members’ Super Rugby Pacific MVP for the second straight season after his strong campaign. Pomare doubled up her Rebecca Clough medal, by being voted the Members’ Super W MVP too.
Back-rowers Nick Champion de Crespigny and Anneka Stephens won the Force Man and Force Woman awards respectively, handed out to the players from each side who embody the Force spirit on and off the field as judged by the coaches.
Emerging hooker Albert Alcock and fly-half kicking sensation Grace Freeman won the Matt Hodgson Rising Star and Debby Carley Rising Star awards respectively after breakthrough seasons.
Innovation and sustainability manager Anton Zackey won the Adrian Blacker award, which recognises an off-field member of the club that upholds and instills the values of the club throughout the year.
2025 Award Winners
Nathan Sharpe Medal: Tom Robertson
Rebecca Clough Medal: Trilleen Pomare
Members’ Super Rugby MVP: Carlo Tizzano
Members’ Super W MVP: Trilleen Pomare
Men’s Rising Star: Albert Alcock
Women’s Rising Star: Grace Freeman
Force Man Award: Nick Champion de Crespigny
Force Woman Award: Anneka Stephens
Adrian Blacker Award: Anton Zackey
Nathan Sharpe medal top 10
1. Tom Robertson (267 votes)
2. Harry Potter (241)
3. Carlo Tizzano (200)
4. Darcy Swain (196)
5. Jeremy Williams (136)
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny (115)
7. Ben Donaldson (87)
8. Marley Pearce (86)
9. Kane Koteka (78)
10. Hamish Stewart (78)
Rebecca Clough medal top 5
1. Trilleen Pomare (74 votes)
2. Anneka Stephens (71)
3. Tamika Jones (41)
4. Pia Tapsell (34)
5. Ashley Marsters (25)
Nathan Sharpe Medal – Honour Roll
2025 – Tom Robertson
2024 – Ben Donaldson
2023 – Sam Spink
2022 - Tim Anstee and Manasa Mataele
2021 – Kane Koteka
2020 – Fergus Lee-Warner
2019 – Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
2018 – Brynard Stander
2017 – Isi Naisarani
2016 – Dane Haylett-Petty
2015 – Ben McCalman
2014 – Matt Hodgson
2013 – Kyle Godwin
2012 – David Pocock
2011 – David Smith
2010 – Matt Hodgson
2009 – Matt Hodgson
2008 – Ryan Cross
2007 – Matt Giteau
2006 – Scott Staniforth
Rebecca Clough Medal - Honour Roll
2025 – Trilleen Pomare
2024 – Samantha Wood
2023 – Martha Mataele
2022 – Tamika Jones
