Full 2026 Dally M Awards: Nathan Cleary Has Done it!
Nathan Cleary finally has his Dally M, as Tamika Upton bags her THIRD
30 Sept 2026·6 min read·by Taj Soupidis
Photo: Getty Images
The 2026 Dally M Awards have been completed, with Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary and Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton taking home the game's biggest individual honours.
Cleary claimed his first Dally M Medal, while Upton made history by winning the NRLW Dally M Medal for a third time.
The awards ceremony was held at The Cutaway in Barangaroo on Wednesday night, with the best players, coaches, captains and community contributors from the 2026 NRL and NRLW seasons recognised.
Cleary was not in attendance as he continues to recover from the serious leg injury he suffered late in the season, instead accepting the award via a message from home.
The Panthers halfback had led the Dally M voting when the count went behind closed doors after Round 12 and ultimately held on to claim the game's most prestigious individual regular-season award.
After years of coming close, Nathan Cleary is finally a Dally M Medallist.
The Panthers halfback was crowned the 2026 NRL Dally M Medallist, adding another major individual honour to an extraordinary career.
Cleary had been the leader when voting went behind closed doors following Round 12, sitting on 38 points ahead of Warriors forward Jackson Ford on 35 and teammate Dylan Edwards on 32.
He continued to poll strongly throughout the remainder of the regular season before being crowned the winner on Wednesday night.
Cleary thanked his family, teammates and partner Mary Fowler in a message from home as he continues his recovery from leg surgery.
The victory means the Panthers playmaker has finally added the Dally M Medal to a trophy cabinet that already includes multiple premierships and other major individual honours.
Tamika Upton once again sits at the top of the NRLW.
The Broncos superstar claimed the 2026 NRLW Dally M Medal, finishing with 31 votes, just two clear of Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor.
It is Upton's third Dally M Medal, following her previous victories in 2023 and 2025.
Upton becomes the first player to win the women's award three times, cementing another remarkable individual season.
2026 NRL Dally M Team of the Year
The Panthers and Warriors were heavily represented in the 2026 Team of the Year, with Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards and James Fisher-Harris among the biggest names selected.
Fullback
Dylan Edwards
Wingers
Thomas Jenkins
Selwyn Cobbo
Centres
Herbie Farnworth
Rob Toia
Five-eighth
Braydon Trindall
Halfback
Nathan Cleary
Props
James Fisher-Harris
Naufahu Whyte
Hooker
Wayde Egan
Second-rowers
Haumole Olakau'atu
Hamish Stewart
Lock
Erin Clark
2026 NRLW Dally M Team of the Year
Tamika Upton headlines the women's Team of the Year after another outstanding season.
Fullback
Tamika Upton
Wingers
Julia Robinson
Brydie Parker
Centres
Isabelle Kelly
Jessica Sergis
Five-eighth
Teagan Levi
Halfback
Raecene McGregor
Props
Millie Elliott
Sarah Togatuki
Hooker
Keeley Nizza
Second-rowers
Evania Isa'ako
Shaylee Bent
Lock
Olivia Kernick
NRL Dally M Coach of the Year
Andrew Webster — Warriors
Webster claimed the award for the second time after previously winning in 2023.
The Warriors coach was recognised after another strong campaign from the New Zealand club, with Webster praising his players and the support the team has received across the country.
NRLW Dally M Coach of the Year
Karyn Murphy — Titans
Murphy was rewarded after guiding the Gold Coast to a 10-1 regular-season record and into the preliminary final.
It is another major recognition for Murphy after helping establish the Titans as a serious force in the NRLW.
NRL Captain of the Year
James Fisher-Harris — Warriors
The Warriors skipper was recognised for his leadership during the 2026 season.
Fisher-Harris paid tribute to co-captain Mitch Barnett after receiving the award.
NRLW Captain of the Year
Kezie Apps — Wests Tigers
Apps was rewarded after helping the Tigers make the NRLW finals for the first time in club history.
The Tigers made a dramatic improvement from their 2025 wooden-spoon season, with Apps playing a major leadership role in their turnaround.
NRL Rookie of the Year
Ethan Sanders — Raiders
Sanders was named the NRL Rookie of the Year after an impressive first season in Canberra.
The 22-year-old played all 27 matches for the Raiders and produced 18 try assists and 17 line-break assists during the campaign.
NRLW Rookie of the Year
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala — Knights
The Newcastle winger took out the women's rookie award after scoring 14 tries in 13 games during her debut season.
The 20-year-old's breakthrough campaign earned her recognition on one of the biggest nights of the rugby league calendar.
Ken Stephen Medal
Campbell Graham — Rabbitohs
South Sydney's Campbell Graham was awarded the Ken Stephen Medal for his contribution to the community.
Graham has been heavily involved with Souths Cares, including school visits and wellbeing programs, while also volunteering with the St Vincent de Paul Society's Vinnies Vans to support people experiencing homelessness.
Veronica White Medal
Millie Elliott — Roosters
Roosters forward Millie Elliott received the Veronica White Medal for her community work.
Through the Trainer Group Foundation, Elliott has helped deliver disability and wellbeing programs while also contributing to mental-health initiatives, hospital visits, Physical Disability Rugby League programs and youth development.
Provan-Summons Medal
Jai Arrow — Rabbitohs
Arrow was recognised for an emotional milestone in his South Sydney career, with the presentation highlighting his 99th and 100th games for the Rabbitohs.
His 100th appearance produced one of the most memorable moments of the season, as he took the field before leaving after kick-off, with Wayne Bennett holding the interchange card on the sideline.
And
Apii Nicholls — Warriors
Nicholls won the women's Provan-Summons Award after leading a special haka for retiring Broncos great Ali Brigginshaw during her farewell home game.
Warriors players were joined by Brisbane's Māori players for the tribute.
Top Tryscorers
Alex Johnston — Rabbitohs: 30 tries
Thomas Jenkins — Panthers: 30 tries
The pair shared the Ken Irvine Medal after both finishing the regular season with 30 tries.
Jessica Sergis — Roosters: 17 tries
The Roosters centre finished as the NRLW's leading tryscorer.
Top Pointscorers
Jamayne Isaako — Dolphins
Jesse Southwell — Broncos
Jocelyn Kelleher — Roosters
The pair shared the NRLW's top pointscorer award.
Try of the Year
Alex Johnston — Rabbitohs
Johnston's record-breaking try against the Roosters in Round 2 was voted the NRL Try of the Year.
The try was particularly significant because it saw Johnston break Ken Irvine's all-time NRL tryscoring record.
Mackenzie Wiki — Raiders
Wiki's effort against the Titans in Round 9 claimed the women's award.
She completed her hat-trick by finishing a brilliant team movement from a Zahara Temara cross-field kick.
Tackle of the Year
The 2026 NRL Tackle of the Year was shared by:
Taine Tuaupiki — Warriors
Essay Banu — Tigers
Both players were recognised for their outstanding defensive efforts during the season.
Headline Moment of the Year
Jai Arrow — Rabbitohs
Arrow also claimed the Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year for the emotional sequence surrounding his 99th and 100th games for South Sydney.
The milestone culminated in an unforgettable moment involving Wayne Bennett before Arrow's 100th appearance.
Full 2026 Dally M winners list
NRL Awards
Dally M Medal: Nathan Cleary — Panthers
Coach of the Year: Andrew Webster — Warriors
Captain of the Year: James Fisher-Harris — Warriors
Rookie of the Year: Ethan Sanders — Raiders
Ken Stephen Medal: Campbell Graham — Rabbitohs
Provan-Summons Medal: Jai Arrow — Rabbitohs
Top Tryscorer: Alex Johnston — Rabbitohs & Thomas Jenkins — Panthers (30 tries)
Top Pointscorer: Jamayne Isaako — Dolphins
Try of the Year: Alex Johnston — Rabbitohs
Tackle of the Year:*Taine Tuaupiki — Warriors & Essay Banu — Tigers
Headline Moment of the Year: Jai Arrow — Rabbitohs
NRLW Awards
Dally M Medal: Tamika Upton — Broncos
Coach of the Year: Karyn Murphy — Titans
Captain of the Year: Kezie Apps — Tigers
Rookie of the Year: Mercedez Taulelei-Siala — Knights
Veronica White Medal: Millie Elliott — Roosters
Provan-Summons Medal: Apii Nicholls — Warriors
Top Tryscorer: Jessica Sergis — Roosters
Top Pointscorer: Jesse Southwell — Broncos & Jocelyn Kelleher — Roosters
Try of the Year: Mackenzie Wiki — Raiders
The 2026 Dally M Awards therefore finish with Nathan Cleary and Tamika Upton taking the night's two biggest individual prizes, while the official Teams of the Year recognise the standout performers from both competitions across the regular season.
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