Nathan Cleary wins first Dally M Medal amid injury and Penrith’s NRL success

Consensus Summary

Nathan Cleary secured his first Dally M Medal in a dominant victory at the 2026 NRL Awards, finishing 14 points clear of Cronulla’s Braydon Trindall with 67 votes. The Penrith halfback, who missed the ceremony due to a severe ankle injury sustained in his team’s preliminary-finals loss, played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ season, including a State of Origin series win for NSW. Meanwhile, Tamika Upton claimed her third NRLW Dally M Medal, solidifying her status as the league’s most consistent player. Both awards were presented in Sydney, with the NRL ceremony held at Barangaroo, though the exact date was only explicitly confirmed as 'Wednesday’ in the Guardian and referenced indirectly in ABC reports.

Cleary’s path to the Dally M was marked by resilience, having evaded the award for years despite his dominance, including four premierships and two Clive Churchill Medals. His 29 tries in 23 games this season underscored his influence, while Upton’s victory highlighted the NRLW’s growing depth, with Mercedez Taulelei-Siala named rookie of the year after scoring 13 tries in 12 games. The awards also recognized standout performances in coaching, with Andrew Webster taking the NRL coach of the year and Karyn Murphy winning the NRLW equivalent. The ceremony’s emotional highlight came when Jai Arrow received the Peter Frilingos headline moment award for his courage in battling motor neurone disease.

Key figures at the awards included Cleary’s teammates Thomas Jenkins and James Fisher-Harris, who attended despite Penrith’s elimination. Jenkins, speaking to ABC, expressed support for Cleary’s recovery, while Fisher-Harris shared a moment with his daughter. The ABC’s coverage also featured Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook, who discussed his team’s grand final ambitions, and North Queensland captain Tom Dearden, who announced his partner Millie Oliver’s pregnancy. Raecene McGregor, the 2022 Dally M medallist, and 19-year-old Indie Bostock were among other attendees, adding to the star-studded atmosphere. The ABC noted the absence of Silverchair, despite fan pleas for a reunion performance, as the band declined to reunite after 15 years.

While both sources agreed on the core outcomes—Cleary’s victory and Upton’s third medal—they diverged on specific details. The Guardian provided a comprehensive breakdown of vote counts (67 for Cleary, 53 for Trindall) and team selections, whereas the ABC focused on the red carpet arrivals and pre-ceremony speculation, including Cleary’s 38 points after round 12. The ABC also highlighted the NRL’s broadcast timing, with Fox/Kayo starting at 7:30pm AEST, while the Guardian did not mention this. Additionally, the Guardian emphasized Cleary’s four premierships and State of Origin triumph, while the ABC’s narrative centered on the emotional and logistical aspects of the event, such as the Knights’ grand final run and the absence of Cleary due to injury.

Looking ahead, the ABC suggested the NRL’s decision to keep nominations secret until the awards added to the suspense, while the Guardian noted that Newcastle’s grand final push was not reflected in the Dally M team of the year. Both outlets confirmed the awards would be followed by the grand final, with the ABC reporting the Roosters vs. Broncos match scheduled for Sunday, 4 October at 4:00pm, though the Guardian did not specify this date. The unresolved question remains whether Cleary’s injury will impact his availability for the season decider, though the ABC’s Jenkins suggested he was recovering well. The awards themselves marked the culmination of a season defined by individual brilliance and team drama, setting the stage for the final chapter in the NRL’s 2026 campaign.