+34
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has won his first Dally M Medal, while Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton claimed her third NRLW player of the year award in four seasons.
Nathan Cleary has won his first Dally M Medal, completing a full set of the NRL's major individual awards, while Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton claimed the NRLW player of the year for the third time in four seasons.
Cleary Secures First Dally M Medal
Cleary, 28, polled 67 votes to finish ahead of Braydon Trindall on 53 and fellow Panther Dylan Edwards on 52. Haumole Olakau'atu finished fourth, while Herbie Farnworth and Scott Drinkwater tied for fifth at the gala night at Sydney's Barangaroo. The Penrith halfback left hospital on Wednesday after undergoing emergency surgery on his ankle, yet still attended the ceremony with his first Dally M medal around his neck.
The victory came after a season in which he played 23 games and set up 29 tries. Cleary's 29 try assists marked a new career high, as did his 14 line breaks, up from his previous best of nine. His 62 tackle busts were also a personal best, and he led the league in goal-kicking percentage among full-time kickers as Penrith stormed to the minor premiership.
Despite being the best player of this decade, the Dally M had previously evaded Cleary due to a run of injuries or suspensions. In 2020, when Penrith first ascended with a regular season of 19 wins and one loss, Cleary was the hot favourite but finished third behind Clint Gutherson and winner Jack Wighton. Cleary had earlier this year claimed his maiden Wally Lewis Medal, silencing critics by leading NSW to a 2-1 State of Origin series victory.
State Of Origin Success For Cleary
He became the third player ever, after Cameron Smith and Wally Lewis, to win two man of the match awards in one series, and claimed his first player of the series award. His record for Australia is perfect, with the Kangaroos having won all eight games Cleary has played for them.
He has now won four-straight premierships, appeared in five grand finals and won two Clive Churchill Medals, joining Cooper Cronk as the only halfbacks this century to win four titles. Upton's win came after she polled six points in the penultimate round and then one point in Round 11 to beat Wests Tigers half Raecene McGregor.
Newcastle winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala was named NRLW rookie of the year after scoring 13 tries in 12 games, while Gold Coast mentor Karyn Murphy won the coach's medal. Warriors mentor Andrew Webster pipped Justin Holbrook to be the NRL's coach of the year, while Canberra playmaker Ethan Sanders was rookie of the year. Newcastle's magical run to the grand final was not reflected in the Dally M team of the year, with the Knights having no players in the side.
NRLW Awards And Team Of The Year
Kalyn Ponga also missed out on captain of the year, with all voting complete at the end of the regular season when the Knights finished seventh. The heart-touching moment of the night came when South Sydney's Jai Arrow was presented the Peter Frilingos headline moment and the Provan-Summons spirit of the game award.
The Dally M team of the year featured Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Herbie Farnworth, Robert Toia, Selwyn Cobbo, Braydon Trindall, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Naufahu Whyte, Haumole Olakau'atu, Hamish Stewart and Eric Clark, with Andrew Webster as coach. The NRLW team of the year comprised Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, Brydie Parker, Teagan Levi, Raecene McGregor, Millie Elliott, Keeley Nizza, Sarah Togatuki, Evania Isa'ako, Shaylee Bent and Olivia Kernick, with Karyn Murphy as coach.
Debates Over Dally M Voting System
The 3-2-1 voting system invites inconsistency, especially since an extra judge was appointed for each game and judges are anonymous, making accountability impossible. One bad decision from one voter can decide the award. Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler, Allan Langer and Benji Marshall all never won a Dally M, and Andrew Johns is the only Immortal who has ever won it. Even before Wednesday night, Cleary could exist in that mighty company without shame.
He has achieved as much as any of them and can match accolades with any player of modern times, including Johnathan Thurston, who won four Dally M awards, and Johns himself, who won three. This medal is not a validation or culmination but an affirmation of a truth already known.
GuardianAus
abcnews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Nathan Cleary Dally M Medal National Rugby League Penrith Panthers NRL Awards Tamika Upton
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nathan Cleary in doubt to appear at Dally M Awards after hip-drop surgeryNathan Cleary is the hot favourite for the Dally M Medal but remains in Royal North Shore Hospital after surgery, with the NRL and Panthers to decide Wednesday morning on his involvement should he win.
Read more »
Nathan Cleary Favored to Win First Dally M Medal From Hospital BedNathan Cleary is the favorite to win his first Dally M Medal on Wednesday night, but the NRL and Penrith will wait until Wednesday morning to decide if he can appear live from his hospital bed. Tamika Upton is favored to win her third women's award in four years.
Read more »
Nathan Cleary Wins Dally M Medal After Dominant NRL SeasonPenrith's Nathan Cleary romps to victory in the Dally M Medal race, securing his first accolade with a 14-point lead over Braydon Trindall. Tamika Upton defends her NRLW title, and Andrew Webster is named coach of the year. The ceremony also celebrates the resilience of Jai Arrow in the face of motor neurone disease.
Read more »