Arabic version: كلياري وأبتون يحصدان جوائز دالي إم

According to ABC News, Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary won his first Dally M Medal, while Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton claimed the NRLW award for the third time in four seasons at the NRL awards night on September 30, 2026.

Cleary finished the NRL count on 67 votes, 14 ahead of Cronulla five-eighth Braydon Trindall on 53. Dylan Edwards was third with 52 votes, followed by Haumole Olakau’atu on 46 and Herbie Farnworth and Scott Drinkwater on 45. Cleary secured the award with two rounds remaining after collecting the maximum six votes in Penrith’s 22-14 win over Melbourne in round 25.

Unable to attend the Sydney Harbour ceremony after suffering a compound fracture of his left leg in the Panthers’ preliminary final loss, Cleary accepted by video from a couch with his leg in a cast. He thanked supporters, his parents and Panthers teammates, saying his teammates made him a “10,000 times” better player. He also thanked his partner, Mary Fowler, who is playing for Manchester City in England.

Upton won the NRLW Dally M with 31 votes, edging 2022 winner Raecene McGregor, who finished on 29. Tarryn Aiken placed third on 23, Evania Isa’ako had 22, and Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell and Teagan Levi each received 20. Upton held a one-vote lead entering the final round and extended it after scoring a try, making three line-break assists and two try assists in Brisbane’s 52-18 win over the Warriors.

Upton is preparing for the Broncos’ NRLW grand final against the Roosters, a second straight meeting between the clubs. The league will also honour Jai Arrow after his MND diagnosis earlier in the year, with the tribute planned in place of traditional pre-game entertainment.