Nathan Cleary has won the 2026 Dally M Medal, becoming the first Penrith Panthers player since Greg Alexander in 1985 to claim rugby league’s highest individual honour. In the NRLW, Brisbane Broncos superstar Tamika Upton secured her third career Dally M Medal and second consecutive Player of the Year award.
Nathan Cleary Wins 2026 Dally M Medal
By claiming the Dally M Medal, Cleary became the first Penrith Panthers player since Greg Alexander in 1985 to be named rugby league’s best player.
For a club that has dominated the modern era and produced countless representative stars, it is a remarkable statistic that no Panther had lifted the game’s most prestigious individual award for more than four decades.
Cleary’s win capped a season in which he also collected Dally M Halfback of the Year honours and led Penrith to three selections in the Men’s Team of the Year.
Key Takeaways
- Nathan Cleary became the first Panther since Greg Alexander in 1985 to win the Dally M Medal.
- Penrith and the New Zealand Warriors led the Men’s Team of the Year with three selections each.
- Tamika Upton won her third Dally M Medal and second consecutive NRLW Player of the Year award.
- The Sydney Roosters supplied six of the 13 players selected in the Women’s Team of the Year.
- Grassroots contributors from across Australia were recognised for their outstanding service to rugby league.
Penrith and Warriors dominate Men’s Team of the Year
The 2026 Dally M Men’s Team of the Year featured players from seven different clubs, highlighting the spread of elite talent across the competition.
However, two clubs stood above the rest.
Both the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors placed three players in the side, the most of any club.
Penrith Panthers (3)
- Dylan Edwards (Fullback)
- Thomas Jenkins (Wing)
- Nathan Cleary (Halfback)
New Zealand Warriors (3)
- James Fisher-Harris (Prop)
- Wayde Egan (Hooker)
- Erin Clark (Lock)
The Dolphins and Sydney Roosters each earned two selections, while Cronulla, Manly and St George Illawarra each had one representative.
The Warriors’ strong showing was further underlined by Andrew Webster winning Coach of the Year, James Fisher-Harris being named Captain of the Year and Taine Tuaupiki claiming Tackle of the Year.
Tamika Upton Wins 2026 NRLW Dally M Medal
While Cleary’s victory was historic, Tamika Upton further strengthened her claim as one of the greatest NRLW players of all time.
The Brisbane Broncos fullback won back-to-back Dally M Player of the Year awards after polling 31 votes, narrowly ahead of Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor on 29.
It was Upton’s third career Dally M Medal, having previously won the award in 2023 while playing for the Newcastle Knights.
Already regarded as the benchmark fullback in the women’s game, Upton also earned Dally M Fullback of the Year honours and helped guide Brisbane to another strong campaign.
Sydney Roosters Dominate 2026 NRLW Team of the Year
If there was one club that dominated the NRLW awards, it was the Sydney Roosters.
An incredible six of the thirteen players selected in the 2026 Dally M Women’s Team of the Year came from the Tricolours.
The Roosters representatives were:
- Brydie Parker (Wing)
- Isabelle Kelly (Centre)
- Jessica Sergis (Centre)
- Millie Elliott (Prop)
- Keeley Nizza (Hooker)
- Olivia Kernick (Lock)
The club’s haul equated to almost half of the entire Team of the Year and reinforced Sydney’s position as one of the competition’s premier women’s programs.
Wests Tigers followed with three selections, while Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans each had two players named.
2026 Dally M Medal Leaderboards
Men’s Dally M Medal Leaderboard
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Cleary | 67 |
| 2 | Braydon Trindall | 53 |
| 3 | Dylan Edwards | 52 |
| 4 | Haumole Olakau’atu | 46 |
| 5 | Herbie Farnworth | 45 |
| 5 | Scott Drinkwater | 45 |
| 7 | Jackson Ford | 39 |
| 8 | Harry Grant | 37 |
| 8 | James Tedesco | 37 |
| 8 | Kalyn Ponga | 37 |
Note: Any deductions due to suspension have already been applied.
Final Dally M Women’s Leaderboard
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamika Upton | 31 |
| 2 | Raecene McGregor | 29 |
| 3 | Tarryn Aiken | 23 |
| 4 | Evania Isa’ako | 22 |
| 5 | Jess Sergis | 20 |
| 5 | Jesse Southwell | 20 |
| 5 | Teagan Levi | 20 |
| 8 | Sienna Lofipo | 18 |
| 9 | Isabelle Kelly | 17 |
| 10 | Abbi Church | 16 |
NRL Dally M & Major Awards
| Award | Winner(s) | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Dally M Medal | Nathan Cleary | Penrith Panthers |
| Dally M Fullback of the Year | Dylan Edwards | Penrith Panthers |
| Dally M Winger of the Year | Thomas Jenkins | Penrith Panthers |
| Dally M Winger of the Year | Selwyn Cobbo | Dolphins |
| Dally M Centre of the Year | Herbie Farnworth | Dolphins |
| Dally M Centre of the Year | Robert Toia | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year | Braydon Trindall | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Dally M Halfback of the Year | Nathan Cleary | Penrith Panthers |
| Dally M Prop of the Year | James Fisher-Harris | New Zealand Warriors |
| Dally M Prop of the Year | Naufahu Whyte | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Hooker of the Year | Wayde Egan | New Zealand Warriors |
| Dally M Second-Rower of the Year | Haumole Olakau’atu | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Dally M Second-Rower of the Year | Hamish Stewart | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Dally M Lock of the Year | Erin Clark | New Zealand Warriors |
| Peter Frilingos Headline Moment | Jai Arrow | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Provan-Summons Medal | Jai Arrow | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Dally M Coach of the Year | Andrew Webster | New Zealand Warriors |
| Dally M Rookie of the Year | Ethan Sanders | Canberra Raiders |
| Dally M Captain of the Year | James Fisher-Harris | New Zealand Warriors |
| Dally M Try of the Year | Alex Johnston | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Dally M Tackle of the Year | Taine Tuaupiki | New Zealand Warriors |
| Ken Irvine Medal | Alex Johnston & Thomas Jenkins | South Sydney Rabbitohs & Penrith Panthers |
| Top Point Scorer | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins |
NRLW Dally M & Major Awards
| Award | Winner(s) | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Dally M Medal | Tamika Upton | Brisbane Broncos |
| Dally M Fullback of the Year | Tamika Upton | Brisbane Broncos |
| Dally M Winger of the Year | Julia Robinson | Brisbane Broncos |
| Dally M Winger of the Year | Brydie Parker | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Centre of the Year | Isabelle Kelly | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Centre of the Year | Jessica Sergis | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year | Teagan Levi | Gold Coast Titans |
| Dally M Halfback of the Year | Raecene McGregor | Wests Tigers |
| Dally M Prop of the Year | Millie Elliott | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Prop of the Year | Sarah Togatuki | Wests Tigers |
| Dally M Hooker of the Year | Keeley Nizza | Sydney Roosters |
| Dally M Second-Rower of the Year | Evania Isa’ako | Gold Coast Titans |
| Dally M Second-Rower of the Year | Shaylee Bent | Wests Tigers |
| Dally M Lock of the Year | Olivia Kernick | Sydney Roosters |
| Provan-Summons Medal | Apii Nicholls (on behalf of the New Zealand Warriors) | New Zealand Warriors |
| Dally M Coach of the Year | Karyn Murphy | Gold Coast Titans |
| Dally M Rookie of the Year | Mercedez Taulelei-Siala | Newcastle Knights |
| Dally M Captain of the Year | Kezie Apps | Wests Tigers |
| Dally M Try of the Year | Mackenzie Wiki | Canberra Raiders |
| Dally M Tackle of the Year | Essay Banu | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Top Try Scorer | Jessica Sergis | Sydney Roosters |
| Top Point Scorer(s) | Jesse Southwell & Jocelyn Kelleher | Brisbane Broncos & Sydney Roosters |
2026 Community Awards Grassroots Winners
| Award | Winner | Club/Organisation | State/Territory | Achievement Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Rugby League Club of the Year | Ellenbrook Rabbitohs RLC | Ellenbrook Rabbitohs RLC | WA | Recognised for fostering participation, inclusion and player development while strengthening community connections across all age groups. |
| Volunteer of the Year | Kevin Whitford | Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs RLC | NSW | Honoured for more than 30 years of leadership and service, helping grow participation, female pathways and referee development on the NSW South Coast. |
| Young Person of the Year | Abbey Cox | Mt Isa JRL | QLD | Celebrated for transforming girls’ rugby league in Mount Isa while serving as a player, referee, touch judge and volunteer. |
| Teacher of the Year | Richard Thom | East Torrens Public School | SA | Recognised for using rugby league to engage and inspire students, creating inclusive school programs and pathways into community clubs. |
| Women in League Award | Tiana Horswood | Chinchilla Bulldogs RLFC | QLD | Acknowledged for expanding opportunities for women and girls by building sustainable female pathways and significantly increasing participation. |
| Indigenous Community Award | Rothana Baira | Townsville Blackhawks RLC | QLD | Honoured for creating culturally safe and empowering environments that strengthen participation and development for Indigenous women and girls. |
| Community Coach of the Year | Tolson Loram | North Rockhampton JRL | QLD | Recognised for exceptional leadership, player welfare and commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive team environment. |
| Community Match Official of the Year | Ricky Liddle | Northern Territory Rugby League | NT | Celebrated for strengthening referee development, recruitment and retention while advancing officiating standards across the Northern Territory. |
FAQ
Who won the 2026 Dally M Medal?
Nathan Cleary of the Penrith Panthers won the 2026 Dally M Medal after polling 67 points to finish ahead of Braydon Trindall and Dylan Edwards.
Who won the 2026 NRLW Dally M Medal?
Tamika Upton of the Brisbane Broncos won the 2026 NRLW Dally M Medal with 31 points.
How many Dally M Medals has Tamika Upton won?
Tamika Upton has won three Dally M Medals, including back-to-back awards in 2025 and 2026.
Why was Nathan Cleary’s Dally M Medal win historic?
Cleary became the first Penrith Panthers player since Greg Alexander in 1985 to win the Dally M Medal.
Which clubs had the most players in the 2026 Dally M Men’s Team of the Year?
The Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors led the Men’s Team of the Year with three players selected each.
Which club dominated the 2026 NRLW Team of the Year?
The Sydney Roosters dominated the NRLW Team of the Year with six of the thirteen positions.
Who finished second in the 2026 Dally M Medal voting?
Braydon Trindall of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks finished second with 53 points.
Who finished second in the 2026 NRLW Dally M Medal voting?
Raecene McGregor of the Wests Tigers finished second with 29 points.
Who won the 2026 Dally M Coach of the Year awards?
Andrew Webster (New Zealand Warriors) won the NRL award, while Karyn Murphy (Gold Coast Titans) won the NRLW award.
