Wests Tigers NRLW players Shaylee Bent and Faythe Manera have been honoured by their peers with selection in the 2026 Players’ Dream Team.
Run by The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA), the 2026 Players’ Dream Team recognises the best 14 players in their positions as voted by NRLW players.
For Bent, the award comes a week after she took home the coveted Wests Tigers NRLW Players’ Player Award.
Bent created plenty of havoc on the edge with her sharp running, amassing five-line breaks and three-line break assists for an average 115 run metres in her 12 games. She also crossed for three tries.
Manera enjoyed a superb season before suffering an ACL injury in Round 10 against the Gold Coast Titans.
A talented five-eighth, Manera became the Tigers' 'Super Sub' with her versatility seeing her cover full-back, centre and hooker when required.
Manera scored eight tries in 10 games to go with her four try assists and five-line break assists.
One of her most memorable moments was scoring a four-pointer, the match-winning try on the bell against the Dragons in Round 6.
The Tigers can be very proud of having two players in the Dream Team behind Minor Premiers, the Roosters, with five and regular season runners-up the Gold Coast Titans with four.
Tarryn Aiken, the Sydney Roosters halfback, has made history by becoming the first NRLW player to feature in the Players’ Dream Team five times, and does so in consecutive years.
Tamika Upton and Otesa Pule appear at fullback and prop, respectively, for the third time in the Players’ Dream Team. The remaining 11 players feature in the Players’ Dream Team for the first time ever.
“On behalf of the RLPA, I want to congratulate the 14 outstanding players who have been chosen by their peers in the 2026 NRLW Players’ Dream Team,” said Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA.
“This year’s team is a fantastic reflection of the NRLW competition, bringing together some of the game’s biggest stars with rising talents and players earning selection in the Players’ Dream Team for the first time.
"We view the Players' Dream Team from the NRLW as a really strong point of recognition, not just in our region, but for women's team contact sport athletes around the world as well.
“Each of these players has made a significant impact throughout the 2026 season and consistently demonstrated the skill, influence and quality that their fellow players clearly recognise.
"To be selected by the players you compete against each week is one of the highest acknowledgements you can receive.
“Together, and with every player across the competition, theses 14 players have helped drive another season of growth, quality and excitement in the NRLW and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
The 2026 Players’ Dream Team:
Fullback: Tamika Upton
Wingers: Brydie Parker, Mackenzie Wiki
Centres: Jessica Sergis, Rory Owen
Five-Eighth: Teagan Levi
Halfback: Tarryn Aiken
Props: Otesa Pule, Laikha Clarke
Hooker: Keeley Nizza
Second Rowers: Shaylee Bent, Evania Isa’ako
Lock: Sienna Lofipo
Impact: Faythe Manera
