The 2026 rugby league season celebrated its finest performers at a glittering ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, Sydney. From historic individual accolades to inspiring community champions, the night recognized the standout athletes across both the NRL and NRLW competitions.
What Happened: The Major Winners
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary secured his first-ever Dally M Medal. Accepting via video message while recovering from leg surgery, Cleary edged out a competitive leaderboard that included teammate Dylan Edwards and Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall to claim rugby league's highest individual honor.
In the NRLW competition, Brisbane Broncos superstar Tamika Upton cemented her legacy by capturing her third Dally M Medal. Upton finished on 31 votes, outpacing Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor to add to her previous triumphs in 2023 and 2025.
Key Awards and Honorees
Beyond the player-of-the-year medals, several key figures and rising stars were celebrated for their exceptional contributions on and off the field:
- Rookie of the Year: Canberra Raiders half Ethan Sanders claimed the men's prize after playing all 27 matches, while Newcastle winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala took home the NRLW honor following a 14-try campaign.
- Coach of the Year: Warriors mentor Andrew Webster secured the men's award for the second time, while Titans coach Karyn Murphy won the NRLW equivalent after leading her side to a stellar 10–1 record.
- Captain of the Year: Warriors skipper James Fisher-Harris and Wests Tigers leader Kezie Apps were recognized for driving elite standards within their respective squads.
- Try of the Year: Alex Johnston’s historic try against the Roosters—which broke Ken Irvine’s all-time try-scoring record—took out the men's award, alongside Canberra’s Mackenzie Wiki for the NRLW.
Community Recognition
The ceremony also highlighted incredible contributions away from the gridiron. South Sydney's Campbell Graham received the Ken Stephen Medal for his extensive work with Souths Cares and local outreach programs supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters' Millie Elliott was awarded the Veronica White Medal in recognition of her disability and wellbeing initiatives through the Trainer Group Foundation.
With the individual accolades wrapped up, attention now shifts directly to the final weekend of the season and the high-stakes grand final matchups awaiting the league's top contenders.
