Cleary claims first Dally M as Upton makes it three

Nathan Cleary is finally a Dally M Medallist.

The Penrith Panthers halfback, his side's chief organiser, won rugby league's player-of-the-year award at the NRL's gala night on 30 September. The Dally M Medal is voted on after every regular-season game. Judges award three votes to the best player on the field, two to the next and one to the third. The Guardian

Cleary polled 67 votes. That put him 14 points clear of Braydon Trindall on 53, with Dylan Edwards third on 52.

It was a decisive win. Cleary hit the front of the standings on 30 March and never really let go. Late in the count, Fox Sports had him leading on 38 votes, with Jackson Ford on 35 and Trindall back on 23. He pulled away when the final rounds were counted behind closed doors.

He was not there to collect it. Cleary missed the ceremony after emergency surgery on an ankle injury.

Last year this prize went to James Tedesco. He won the 2025 race by 22 points, with Cleary second on 45 points. This time the order flipped.

The women's award stayed in familiar hands. Brisbane Broncos star Tamika Upton was named NRLW player of the year, according to NRL.com. It is her third Dally M Medal. She came into this season already a two-time winner, after victories in 2023 and 2025, and she defended the crown she won last year.

Upton had 12 points when voting went silent for the rest of the NRLW season. Sheridan Gallagher, the Raiders fullback, was one point behind at that stage. Voting goes dark before the finals to keep the result secret. Upton did enough late to hold on.

There was recognition elsewhere too. Andrew Webster was named NRL coach of the year, ahead of Justin Holbrook. Karyn Murphy took the NRLW coach's medal.

Ethan Sanders was named NRL rookie of the year. In the women's game, that honour went to Mercedez Taulelei-Siala after 13 tries in 12 games. That is a strike rate any winger would take.

For fans, this means two things. Cleary, long judged on Grand Finals and State of Origin deciders, now has the season-long award as well. Upton, already one of the faces of the NRLW, has put clear air between herself and the rest as a three-time winner.