It was a night of fullback brilliance at the 2025 Dally M Awards, with James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) and Tamika Upton (Brisbane Broncos) taking out the game’s highest individual honours.
Tedesco capped off a dominant season, surging to 67 points and finishing well ahead of Penrith’s Nathan Cleary (45), Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa (44) and Brisbane prop Payne Haas (44). Upton’s stunning year continued as she edged out her Broncos teammate Julia Robinson (35–32), with Jesse Southwell (31) and Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly (29) close behind.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo hailed 2025 as a “record-breaking season,” crediting the players for delivering the entertainment that drove record crowds, ratings and engagement.
⭐ Men’s Award Highlights
- James Tedesco was the standout of the night, also claiming Fullback of the Year and Captain of the Year.
- Rising Roosters star Robert Toia capped his breakout year with Rookie of the Year honours.
- Canberra’s Ethan Strange was rewarded with Five-Eighth of the Year and Tackle of the Year.
- Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters) collected a triple: Winger of the Year, Try of the Year, and the Ken Irvine Medal for top tryscorer (24 tries).
- The Provan-Summons Medal went to Parramatta Eels star Zac Lomax.
- Ricky Stuart (Raiders) was named Coach of the Year.
📊 Final Men’s Leaderboard
- James Tedesco – 67
- Nathan Cleary – 45
- Isaiya Katoa – 44
- Payne Haas – 44
- Blayke Brailey – 42
- Tom Dearden – 42
- Reece Walsh – 41
- Luke Metcalf – 40
- Daly Cherry-Evans – 39
- Will Kennedy – 37
🌟 Women’s Award Highlights
- Tamika Upton (Broncos) added Fullback of the Year to her Dally M Medal, while also finishing as the NRLW Top Try Scorer.
- Her teammates Julia Robinson (Centre of the Year), Gayle Broughton (Five-Eighth of the Year) and Romy Teitzel (Second Row of the Year, Top Point Scorer) ensured a massive night for Brisbane.
- The Roosters dominated as well, with Isabelle Kelly (Centre & Captain of the Year) and Olivia Kernick (Lock of the Year). Coach John Strange was named NRLW Coach of the Year.
- Knights star Jesse Southwell took out Halfback of the Year, while Newcastle teammate Yasmin Clydsdale was named Second Row of the Year.
📊 Final Women’s Leaderboard
- Tamika Upton – 35
- Julia Robinson – 32
- Jesse Southwell – 31
- Isabelle Kelly – 29
- Rachael Pearson – 24
- Jakiya Whitfeld – 22
- Yasmin Clydsdale – 21
- Emma Verran – 20
- Tarryn Aiken – 18
- Olivia Kernick – 17
💙 Community Awards
It wasn’t just about on-field brilliance. The Ken Stephen Medal (Man of the Year) was awarded to Kieran Foran (Titans) in recognition of his tireless mental health advocacy and community work. Rhiannon Byers (Sharks) was honoured with the Veronica White Medal (Woman of the Year) for her leadership and commitment to Indigenous youth and grassroots rugby league.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo praised their impact, saying:
“On a night we celebrate our game’s best, it is always so uplifting and inspiring to hear about the contributions of our players away from the playing arena.”
📋 Full List of Award Winners
NRL
- Dally M Medal: James Tedesco (Roosters)
- Fullback: James Tedesco (Roosters)
- Wingers: Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters), Xavier Coates (Storm)
- Centres: Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
- Five-Eighth: Ethan Strange (Raiders)
- Halfback: Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
- Props: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Payne Haas (Broncos)
- Hooker: Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
- Second Row: Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Hudson Young (Raiders)
- Lock: Erin Clark (Warriors)
- Rookie: Robert Toia (Roosters)
- Captain: James Tedesco (Roosters)
- Coach: Ricky Stuart (Raiders)
- Try of the Year: Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters)
- Tackle of the Year: Ethan Strange (Raiders)
- Ken Irvine Medal: Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters – 24 tries)
- Top Pointscorer: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins – 278 points)
- Provan-Summons Medal: Zac Lomax (Eels)
- Headline Moment: Miracle of Mudgee
NRLW
- Dally M Medal: Tamika Upton (Broncos)
- Fullback: Tamika Upton (Broncos)
- Wingers: Payton Takimoana (Warriors), Sheridan Gallagher (Knights)
- Centres: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Julia Robinson (Broncos)
- Five-Eighth: Gayle Broughton (Broncos)
- Halfback: Jesse Southwell (Knights)
- Props: Ellie Johnston (Sharks), Jessika Elliston (Titans)
- Hooker: Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys)
- Second Row: Romy Teitzel (Broncos), Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
- Lock: Olivia Kernick (Roosters)
- Rookie: Shalom Sauaso (Broncos)
- Captain: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
- Coach: John Strange (Roosters)
- Try of the Year: Indie Bostock (Dragons)
- Tackle of the Year: Ivana Lauitiiti (Warriors)
- Top Tryscorer: Tamika Upton (Broncos)
- Top Pointscorer: Romy Teitzel (Broncos)
- Provan-Summons Medal: Isabelle Kelly on behalf of the Roosters
