Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has claimed his maiden Dally M Medal for 2026, accepting the award via video from home hours after leaving hospital, while Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton won a historic third NRLW Dally M.
Cleary topped the men’s count with 67 votes — 14 clear of Cronulla’s Braydon Trindall (53), with teammate Dylan Edwards third on 52 — at the NRL’s night of nights at The Cutaway in Barangaroo on Wednesday, ESPN and 7NEWS reported, citing AAP. NRL.com and Nine also covered the ceremony.
Cleary completes the golden set from the couch
The 2026 medal is Cleary’s first Dally M after a season in which he played 23 games and set up 29 tries, ESPN/AAP reported. He already holds the 2026 Wally Lewis Medal, two Clive Churchill Medals and four premierships.
Cleary was not at Barangaroo. He suffered a compound ankle fracture in Penrith’s preliminary final loss to Newcastle — covered in TSB’s prelim report — and underwent emergency ankle surgery. ESPN/AAP and 7NEWS reported he left hospital on Wednesday and accepted the award via a pre-recorded or video message from home.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for the messages they’ve sent through and the support I’ve felt. In terms of being able to win the Dally M award, I’m super grateful for that as well. I want to start off by thanking all my teammates. None of this would be possible without them. They definitely made me 10,000 times the player that I am,” Cleary said, as quoted by ESPN/AAP.
Upton claims third NRLW Dally M
Upton won the NRLW Dally M Medal for a third time and a second consecutive year, beating Raecene McGregor, Nine and ESPN/AAP reported.
“It feels pretty crazy accepting this individual award in a team sport, so I couldn’t do this without my teammates,” Upton said, as quoted by Nine. ESPN/AAP also quoted her saying she still has “lots to improve on,” with the Broncos preparing for Sunday’s NRLW grand final against the Roosters.
Coach, captain and rookie awards
Warriors coach Andrew Webster was named NRL Coach of the Year, pipping Justin Holbrook, with finals results not counted in the vote, ESPN/AAP and 7NEWS reported. Ethan Sanders (Raiders) won NRL Rookie of the Year. James Fisher-Harris (Warriors) was named NRL Captain of the Year, according to Nine/NZ Sports Wire.
In the NRLW, Titans coach Karyn Murphy took Coach of the Year, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Knights) won Rookie of the Year after 13 tries in 12 games, and Kezie Apps (Tigers) was named Captain of the Year, Nine reported.
Ken Stephen and Veronica White Medals
Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs) won the Ken Stephen Medal and Millie Elliott (Roosters) the Veronica White Medal, NRL.com reported.
Arrow recognised for Frilingos and Provan-Summons
South Sydney’s Jai Arrow won the Peter Frilingos Memorial Award and the Provan-Summons Medal for spirit of the game, as reported during the ceremony. TSB earlier covered reports that Arrow will feature in grand final pre-game entertainment on Sunday. Arrow’s awards followed his medical retirement earlier this year after a motor neurone disease diagnosis, as previously reported by major outlets; no further medical detail is repeated here beyond those attributed reports.
NRL Team of the Year
The NRL Team of the Year, as listed by ESPN and 7NEWS, was: 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 Erin Clark, with Andrew Webster named coach. Voting closed at the end of the regular season, and Newcastle had no players selected despite reaching Sunday’s grand final — see TSB’s grand final team lists.
NRLW Team of the Year
The NRLW Team of the Year was: Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, Brydie Parker, Teagan Levi, Raecene McGregor, Millie Elliott, Keeley Nizza, Sarah Togatuki, Evania Isa’ako, Shaylee Bent and Olivia Kernick, with Karyn Murphy named coach, ESPN and 7NEWS reported.
More News
