Nathan Cleary Claims Maiden Dally M Medal From Couch Following Surgery
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary won his maiden Dally M Medal on Wednesday night, polling 67 points to finish 14 points clear of Cronulla Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall at the NRL’s gala night in Sydney, 1news.co.nz reported. Cleary accepted the award via a video link from his living room couch after undergoing surgery for a fractured leg sustained during Penrith’s preliminary final loss to the Knights. Despite leading the voting race for the majority of the season and setting up 29 tries across 23 games, the halfback missed the ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo. Trindall finished second with 53 points before a dislocated shoulder ended his regular season, while Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards placed third with 52 points, according to 1news.co.nz.
Tamika Upton Makes NRLW History With Third Player of the Year Crown
Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton secured her third Dally M Medal as the NRLW player of the year, defending her crown, 1news.co.nz reported. Upton edged out Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor by two votes. The victory arrived just days before the Broncos’ grand final clash against the Sydney Roosters. In other women’s awards, Newcastle winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala claimed rookie of the year after scoring 13 tries in 12 games, and Gold Coast Titans boss Karyn Murphy collected the coach’s medal, as detailed by 1news.co.nz.
Warriors and Roosters Dominate NRL and NRLW Teams of the Year
The New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters heavily populated the official Teams of the Year announced at the ceremony, according to foxsports.com.au. Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris was named prop of the year and captain of the year, teammate Wayde Egan took hooker of the year, and Erin Clark secured lock of the year for the second-straight season, nzherald.co.nz reported. The Sydney Roosters placed six players into the NRLW Team of the Year—including Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, and Olivia Kernick—while taking two spots in the men’s side through Robert Toia and Naufahu Whyte. Warriors mentor Andrew Webster won the NRL coach of the year award, and Ethan Sanders was named men’s rookie of the year, 1news.co.nz stated.
Heartfelt Tributes and Spirit of the Game Honoured in Sydney
Jai Arrow received both the Peter Frilingos headline moment of the year and the Provan-Summons Medal, for exemplifying the spirit of the game, 1news.co.nz reported. The Warriors also earned the Provan-Summons Medal, accepted by captain Apii Nicholls after leading a haka for Broncos legend Ali Brigginshaw during her farewell home game, nzherald.co.nz noted. Meanwhile, Millie Elliott collected the Veronica White Medal for community contributions, and Campbell Graham earned the Ken Stephen Medal for his volunteer work with the St Vincent de Paul Society, nine.com.au reported.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dally M Awards
How many points did Nathan Cleary win the Dally M by?
Nathan Cleary finished the count with 67 points, placing him 14 points ahead of runner-up Braydon Trindall, who finished with 53 points, according to 1news.co.nz.
Why did Nathan Cleary accept his award from home?
Cleary accepted the medal via a video link from his living room couch because he had surgery on his fractured leg after Penrith’s preliminary final loss, nine.com.au reported.
Who won the NRLW player of the year award?
Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton won the NRLW player of the year award for the third time in her career, edging out Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor by two votes, 1news.co.nz and nzherald.co.nz reported.
Which coach won the NRL coach of the year honour?
New Zealand Warriors mentor Andrew Webster won the NRL coach of the year award, 1news.co.nz stated.
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