Western Force prop Tom Robertson wins Nathan Sharpe Medal, centre Trilleen Pomare claims Rebecca Clough Medal
Western Force prop Tom Robertson has marked an incredible comeback season by claiming the Nathan Sharpe Medal — the club's highest individual men's honour.
It came as women's stalwart and captain Trilleen Pomare won the Rebecca Clough Medal for their best Super W player at the Force's annual awards night.
After missing last season through a combination of a torn ACL and study sabbatical at Oxford University, Robertson produced an excellent first year back with the Force.
He became the first prop to win the award, which is voted on a 3-2-1 basis by players after each game, finishing on 267 votes ahead of winger Harry Potter (241) and Carlo Tizzano (200), while locks Darcy Swain (196) and captain Jeremy Williams (136) rounded out the top five.
A natural loosehead prop, Robertson started every game at tighthead and never once looked out of place, while consistently putting up startling defensive numbers.
He finished on 197 tackles for the season, which was second in Super Rugby only to teammate Tizzano heading into the final round of the year. He also scored a memorable, breakaway try against the Red in round seven.
The 30 year-old will surely be in Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's squad for the British and Irish Lions tour, and will be hoping to add to his 30 Test caps.
Force coach Simon Cron hailed Robertson's impact this season.
'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 recognised.'
WA women's rugby royalty Rebecca Clough was in attendance to present her medal to inside centre Pomare, who has missed just one Force game since Super W's inception in 2018 and has been captain since 2020.
Pomare had yet another fruitful season, highlighted by her finishing in the league's top 10 for successful tackles and dominant tackles, while also continuing to punish defences with the ball in hand.
She pipped back-rower Anneka Stephens to the award, finishing on 74 votes to Stephens' 71, while emerging local Tamika Jones finished third.
Force Super W head coach Dylan Parsons said Pomare's 2025 was one of her best seasons and she was a worthy winner.
'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,' he said.
'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.
Pomare was also voted member's Super W MVP, while homegrown Wallaby Tizzano capped a similarly superb season by winning the members' Super Rugby Pacific MVP for the second straight year.
Back-rowers Nick Champion de Crespigny and Stephens won the Force man and woman awards respectively, awarded to the players who best embody the Force spirit on and off the field as judged by the coaches.
Emerging hooker Albert Alcock and fly-half Grace Freeman won the Matt Hodgson and Debby Carley rising star awards, while innovation and sustainability manager Anton Zackey won the Adrian Blacker award, which recognises an off-field member who upholds and instills the club's values.
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)
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