Newly-minted Nathan Sharpe medalist Tom Robertson revealed his 12 months out of the game helped him discover his love for rugby again.
Robertson was crowned the Force’s best men’s player for the 2025 season with the Nathan Sharpe medal at Optus Stadium’s River View on Friday night, edging out Harry Potter and Carlo Tizzano.
The 30-year-old prop’s triumph came after he started every game in the 2025 SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific season, finishing fourth league-wide for tackles in a workhorse season.
Tickets to the Force-Lions game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
That came after missing the 2024 season following an ACL injury at the back-end of the 2023 campaign which saw him miss the World Cup. He opted to utilize the 2024 season for a study sabbatical at Oxford University where he got a Masters in Public Policy.
“It was very disappointing in 2023 to tear my ACL,12 months out of the game,” Robertson said after being crowned on Frrday night.
“To go away and do a Masters overseas, it was probably the best thing for me.
“I think, in hindsight, it allowed me to get away from the game and really discover my love for rugby again.
“I think there were always doubts in there about whether I can come back and physically match it with some of the best athletes in the world.
“So to have won this award is a small part in showing that I've made up that gap and hopefully if I can kick on from there.”
Robertson admitted he was surprised to win the gong ahead of Potter and Tizzano, as well as locks Darcy Swain and Jeremy Williams who rounded out the top five.
“It's a massive surprise off a disappointing season from a team perspective, not making the finals,” he said.
“I think there are some guys in there that had outstanding seasons like Carlo Tizzano, Harry Potter, Ben Donaldson, Nick de Crespigny, so many guys that probably deserved to win this award.
“To come out on top is an incredible honour. It’s thanks to my teammates for providing support throughout the year.”
Robertson spent his 2025 season at tighthead prop, rather than loosehead prop, showcasing his versatility but also team-first attitude when injuries hit in the position.
“Obviously whatever's best for the team, I'll do,” he said. “I thought I'll try at tighthead and do my best for the team in the injury circumstances.
“Whatever the coaches necessitated, so I was happy to do that, but in terms of the position, I'm happy to play the position.”
The front-rower becomes the first prop in Force history to win the Nathan Sharpe medal.
“We’re probably never the ones scoring the tries at one that are pretty flashy and look good for the cameras, but it's awesome,” he said.
”To get the reward for the boring and sometimes pedantic work that we do up front in the scrum and the mauls and the rucks and everything like that, it’s really good recognition.
“I think it's a credit to our team more than anything. The backs were outstanding this year. And I thought the back row and locks were outstanding in particular.”
Robertson returned to Australia in mid-2024 having recovered from his ACL injury and linked up again with the Wallabies on international tours although he didn’t add to his 31 caps. His whirlwind year was capped by the birth of his first child, son Darby, with wife Belle.
Fatherhood clearly agreed with him in the 2025 season at the Force and he’d now love to kick on and be part of the upcoming British and Irish Lions series.
“It's the pinnacle of the sport and you know everyone in Australia I think is excited for this,” he said.
“It only happens once every 12 years, so I'd be lying if I said it wasn't exciting to try and be a part of this year's series.
“Whatever happens in the future will happen and that's up to the rugby gods.”
That series begins with the Western Force taking on the British & Irish Lions at Optus Stadium on Saturday 28 June.
Tickets to the Force-Lions game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
