Nathan Cleary has secured his first Dally M Medal, completing a collection of major rugby league accolades after being named the NRL player of the year at Wednesday’s awards ceremony in Sydney. Unable to attend due to an ankle injury sustained during Penrith’s preliminary final defeat, Cleary finished as a clear frontrunner, polling 67 votes—14 points ahead of Cronulla’s Braydon Trindall, who was second with 53.
The 28-year-old halfback, who recently left hospital following emergency ankle surgery, has long been regarded as one of the decade’s dominant players. Previous setbacks including injuries and suspensions had prevented him from claiming the Dally M Medal until now. Over 23 games this season, Cleary orchestrated Penrith’s strong campaign to the preliminary finals, registering 29 try assists and reinforcing his role as a key playmaker. Earlier this year, he won his maiden Wally Lewis Medal for State of Origin and holds four premierships and two Clive Churchill Medals attesting to his grand final performances.
In the women’s competition, Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton took out her third Dally M Medal as the NRLW player of the year. Upton, the first multiple winner of the award, retained the honor after securing points late in the season to surpass Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor. Newcastle winger Mercedez Tauolelei-Siala was named NRLW rookie of the year following a prolific season, scoring 13 tries in 12 games. Gold Coast’s Karyn Murphy earned coach of the year recognition in the NRLW.
Among coaching awards in the men’s league, Andrew Webster of the New Zealand Warriors edged out Justin Holbrook to claim the NRL coach of the year title. Rookie of the year honors were awarded to Canberra’s playmaker Ethan Sanders. Notably, the Newcastle Knights, despite their unexpected run to the NRL grand final, had no players named in the Dally M team of the year, reflecting voting concluded at the end of the regular season when the Knights finished seventh. The team of the year included two Sydney Roosters players—Robert Toia and Naufahu Whyte.
The ceremony also featured a poignant moment when South Sydney forward Jai Arrow was presented with the Peter Frilingos headline moment and the Provan-Summons spirit of the game award. Arrow’s recognition came in response to his courageous approach to managing motor neurone disease while continuing to contribute to rugby league.
The men’s Dally M team of the year featured players such as Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Herbie Farnworth, Robert Toia, Selwyn Cobbo, Braydon Trindall, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Naufahu Whyte, Haumole Olakau’atu, Hamish Stewart, and Eric Clark, with Webster as coach. The NRLW team of the year included Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, and others, coached by Karyn Murphy.