Rugby league’s top stars gather in Sydney on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, for the annual Dally M Awards ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, with Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary leading the men’s leaderboard and Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton favored in the NRLW.
Sydney’s Night of Nights at The Cutaway
The rugby league world converges on the Sydney Harbour waterfront for the Dally M Awards ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo. Festivities begin with red-carpet arrivals at 5:30pm AEST, ahead of the official 6:30pm ceremony start. Fans wanting to watch the action live can tune into Fox League and Kayo Sports, which offers new users their first month for just $1.
Beyond the headline player awards, the evening crowns the Team of the Year across both leagues, alongside honors for Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Captain of the Year, Try and Tackle of the Year, and community service accolades including the Ken Stephen Medal and Veronica White Medal.
Nathan Cleary’s Hospital Recovery and Award Contingency Plans
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary enters the night as the overwhelming favorite to claim his first Dally M Medal. However, his attendance remains uncertain after he underwent surgery late Sunday following a double compound fracture in his left leg caused by a hip-drop tackle from Newcastle’s Phoenix Crossland.
Recovering at Royal North Shore Hospital, Cleary and the Penrith club planned to wait until Wednesday morning to decide whether he is well enough to make a live camera appearance should he win. Alternative options discussed by sources include Panthers coach Ivan Cleary accepting the honor on his son’s behalf or broadcasting a pre-recorded acceptance speech.
The Rugby League Players Association named him their Players’ Champion, prompting public congratulations from his partner, Matildas forward Mary Fowler, who posted on Instagram: As proud as one can be.
So well deserved darling.
How the Voting Stood Before Secret Ballots
The suspense surrounding the men’s and women’s counts stems from a voting system where players can earn a maximum of six points per game on a 3-2-1 basis. Voting went behind closed doors after Round 12.
| Men’s Leaderboard (Round 12) | Points |
|---|---|
| Nathan Cleary (Panthers) | 38 |
| Jackson Ford (Warriors) | 35 |
| Dylan Edwards (Panthers) | 32 |
| Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys) | 29 |
| James Tedesco (Roosters) | 27 |
While Cleary held a three-point buffer over Warriors prop Jackson Ford at the cutoff, Ford’s campaign was halted when he suffered a pectoral injury in Round 16. That left Cleary’s club teammate Dylan Edwards, along with Scott Drinkwater and reigning men’s champion James Tedesco, to chase the lead.
Defending Champions and NRLW Contenders
In the women’s competition, Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton aims for her third Dally M women’s award in four years. Upton held 12 points from four NRLW matches when voting went secret, facing competition from Roosters playmaker Tarryn Aiken, Raiders fullback Sheridan Gallagher, Brisbane halfback Jesse Southwell, and Titans five-eighth Teagan Levi.
The event caps a lineage of previous victors, from James Tedesco and Tamika Upton in 2025, setting the stage for rugby league to honor its standout performers ahead of grand final weekend.