Cleary claims long-awaited Dally M Medal

For the first time in his NRL career, Nathan Cleary has been named as the 2026 Dally M Medallist.

Over his 11 seasons with the Panthers, the 28-year-old has achieved everything in the club, with four premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals and two RLPA Players’ Champion awards.

But now, he adds the competition’s highest individual honour with two rounds to spare, having claimed 62 votes through 25 rounds.

Prior to this season, the halfback’s best finish in a Dally M was second in 2021, finishing behind Tom Trbojevic.

It’s been an incredible season by the NSW and Australian representative having scored 218 points for the season alongside 29 try assists as the Panthers claimed their first minor premiership since 2023.

Whilst Cleary was not in attendance due to suffering a compound fracture in Penrith’s preliminary final loss to Newcastle, he did pre-record a speech that was played to the audience.

In that acceptance speech, the superstar halfback thanked his teammates, family and partner Mary Fowler.

Cronulla five-eighth Braydon Trindall edged out Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards for second place by one vote with 53.

Tamika Upton claimed her third NRLW Dally M Medal in the space of four years with the Broncos’ fullback receiving 31 votes.

The 29-year-old has scored 15 tries and 20 try assists to help the Broncos into yet another NRLW Grand Final.