Tarryn Aiken – The Best in the World

In this episode of Chiming In, Chimes sits down with Tarryn Aiken, the Sydney Roosters and Queensland Maroons star recently crowned the best female rugby league player on the planet. Fresh from a stellar 2024 season that included an NRLW Premiership, a State of Origin series win, and the prestigious Golden Boot Award, Aiken shares her journey from the Central Coast to the top of the international game.

A Season for the History Books

Aiken reflects on her "surreal" 2024 campaign. Beyond the team success, she was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal as player of the match in the Grand Final and the Golden Boot as the world's best player. She recalls the moment she received the phone call from Roosters coach John Strange and Jillaroos coach Brad Donald, admitting she was surprised given the high calibre of other nominees like Tamika Upton and Shannon Mato.

The Origin Tug-of-War

Born in Gosford and raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Aiken famously represents Queensland. She explains that after moving to Tweed Heads at age seven, all her sporting pathways—from touch football to nippers—went through the Gold Coast and Brisbane. With a mother from North Queensland and a father from New South Wales, the family rivalry was settled when she and her brother jumped on their mother's Maroons bandwagon during State of Origin nights.

Triumph and Tragedy

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Aiken discusses the immense personal loss she faced shortly after her first Premiership win with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019. Within just three weeks, she lost both her father and her brother. She describes the period as having her life flipped "upside down" while she was at the top of the world. Rugby league became a vital outlet for her resilience, a way to bond with her remaining family and keep the memory of her father and brother—both massive "footy heads"—alive.

Growing the Women's Game

Aiken is a passionate advocate for the expansion and professionalisation of the NRLW. Following the Jillaroos' dominant 90-0 win over Great Britain in Las Vegas, she addresses the lopsided scoreline, suggesting that while the women's game must remain part of the Vegas showcase, the scheduling or match-ups may need revision. She expresses a desire for the current 12 teams to become full-time professionals before further expansion, noting the freakish skill levels of the 17-year-old girls currently coming through the pathways.

Life Off the Field and the Roosters’ Influence

Moving from her "comfort zone" in Brisbane to the Sydney Roosters was a major turning point, driven largely by the desire to learn from coach John Strange. She credits Strange with evolving her game from a "run-first" five-eighth to a tactical halfback, even tasking her with watching one NRL game per week to study players like Nathan Cleary and Jerome Hughes. Off the field, Aiken has completed her honours in psychology, influenced by her older brother and an interest in mental health.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With the 2025 NRLW season approaching, Aiken identifies the Broncos and Cronulla as major threats. She also looks forward to the unique challenge of playing against her club coach, John Strange, who was recently appointed the New South Wales Sky Blues coach for State of Origin. Her immediate goal is simple: to do it all over again and keep winning trophies.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.