Live: Tedesco and Upton make history as both win Dally M Medal for second time

NRL Dally M Medal board

• James Tedesco 67
• Nathan Cleary 45
• Isaiya Katoa 44
• Payne Haas 44
• Blayke Brailey 42
• Tom Dearden 42
• Reece Walsh 41
• Luke Metcalf 40
• Daly Cherry-Evans 39
• Will Kennedy 37

NRLW Dally M Medal board

• Tamika Upton 35
• Julia Robinson 32
• Jesse Southwell 31
• Isabelle Kelly 29
• Rachael Pearson 24
• Jakiya Whitfeld 22
• Yasmin Clydsdale 21
• Emma Verran 20
• Tarryn Aiken 18
• Olivia Kernick 17

Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has won the 2025 Dally M Medal.

They don’t bother running through the votes in the final two rounds, because Teddy had already won it.

Tedesco joins the exclusive club of men who have won multiple Dally M Medals, as he took the crown in 2019 as well.

“I’ve probably had a lot of critics and doubters the last couple of years, so I guess to be back on this stage and winning this medal is a proud achievement for myself,” Tedesco said.

“It helps not playing Origin. Nath (Nathan Cleary) missed lots of games through Origin, and I played every game, which definitely helps me score more points.”

Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton has won the 2025 Dally M Medal.

She is the first woman to achieve the award for a second time.

In her return to the Broncos, Upton scored 18 tries in 11 matches.

Upton narrowly beat teammate Julia Robinson in a Brisbane Broncos 1-2.

“It shows the calibre of team and calibre of coaching at the Broncos,” Upton said when receiving her medal.

1. James Tedesco (SYD)
2. Mark Nawaqanitawase (SYD)
3. Kotoni Staggs (BRI)
4. Stephen Crichton (CBY)
5. Xavier Coates (MEL)
6. Ethan Strange (CBR)
7. Nathan Cleary (PEN)
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (CRO)
9. Blayke Brailey (CRO)
10. Payne Haas (BRI)
11. Eliesa Katoa (MEL)
12. Hudson Young (CBR)
13. Erin Clark (NZW)

1. Tamika Upton (BRI)
2. Payton Takimoana (NZW)
3. Isabelle Kelly (SYD)
4. Julia Robinson (BRI)
5. Sheridan Gallagher (NEW)
6. Gayle Broughton (BRI)
7. Jesse Southwell (NEW)
8. Ellie Johnston (CRO)
9. Emma Manzelmann (NQC)
10. Jessika Elliston (GCT)
11. Romy Teitzerl (BRI)
12. Yasmin Clydsdale (NEW)
13. Olivia Kernick (SYD)

We have had the results for rounds 19 to 23.

Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco scored the maximum of six points twice, and overall added another 14 points to his teall.

He leads Warriors’ half Luke Metcalf, who by this stage of the season was nursing a season-ending injury.

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary collected a haul of points to surge into the top five.

It is a double delight for the Sydney Roosters.

James Tedesco has been named the 2025 NRL Captain of the Year.

It is the second time he has won this award.

“So many great players have captained this club, and I don’t take it for granted. I enjoy it.”

Isabelle Kelly has been named the 2025 NRLW Captain of the Year.

“I’ve been privileged to do a lot of things in this game and play in a lot of incredible teams, but I was reflecting back on the finals the other day, and was thinking how lucky I am to lead such an incredible group of humans.”

Sydney Roosters boss John Stange has been named NRLW Coach of the Year.

He coached the Tricolours to a premiership last year, and is undefeated in 2025 on the way to another grand final appearance.

“[I’m] really fortunate with the players that I’ve got, they can certainly make you look like a better coach than you are.”

Canberra Raiders leader Ricky Stuart has been named Coach of the Year.

The Raiders were not a highly thought-of team at the start of the season, but they won the minor premiership.

“It’s an award that is owned by so many people. My football department, my family, everyone is on the journey,” Stuart said.

“I’ve always said, you can’t be a good coach without good players. And I’ve got the best team in the competition.”

We are now presenting the Ken Stephen Medal – Man of the Year award.

This is an award for those in the NRL who give back to their communities.

The award has gone to Kieran Foran of the Gold Coast Titans.

What a fitting way to end a 17-year career.

Foran is an advocate for youth mental health, launching Logan’s Legacy with the Top Blokes Foundation.

Hall of Fame member Veronica White is here to present the medal named after her.

This award is for those who contribute to their communities.

This year’s winner is Rhiannon Byers from the Cronulla Sharks.

Byres is a proud Wiradjuri woman who mentors hundreds of young Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander youth.

Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia has been named the NRL Rookie of the Year.

What a year this man had. He was a stunning selection for Queensland’s State of Origin side.

“It’s been a bit of a blur this whole year,” Toia says.

“It’s every kid’s dream to play NRL, so I pinch myself every day.”

Brisbane Broncos player Shalom Sauaso has been named NRLW Rookie of the Year.

She has received the award from her captain, Ali Brigginshaw.

“It’s a big opportunity to be here. Super grateful I’m able to play a part.”

Sauaso gives Brigginshaw a mention, who used to pick her up from school.

We are onto the NRL count now for rounds 13 to 18.

Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has scored 14 points over these rounds.

And so does James Tedesco, despite the Roosters have two byes.

Tedesco is the new leader.

Cowboys half Tom Dearden scored 11, despite missing some matches due to State of Origin duty.

Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf scored nine more points despite his season-ending injury.

Voting went silent after 12 rounds of the NRL season.

New Zealand Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf was leading the count with 31 points. Sadly, injury in round 17 against the Broncos not only ended his season, but his chances of winning the Dally M.

Behind Metcalf at the end of round 12 were Cronulla halfback Will Kennedy (29 points) and 2019 winner James Tedesco (28 points).

The popular train of thought is that Tedesco is the red-hot fancy for the top award tonight.

• Luke Metcalf (NZW) — 31
• Will Kennedy (CRO) — 29
• James Tedesco (SYD) — 28
• Terrell May (WST) — 27
• Isaiya Katoa (DOL)
  Payne Haas (BRI) — 23
• Clint Gutherson (STI) — 22
• Cameron Munster (MEL) — 21
• Jye Gray (SOU)
  Ryan Papenhuyzen (MEL) — 20
• Tom Dearden (NQC) — 19
• Connor Tracey (CBY) — 18
• Addin Fonua-Blake (CRO)
  Keaon Koloamatangi (SOU)
  Fletcher Sharpe (NEW) — 17

Lara Pitt and Jessica Yates from Fox League are at the podium.

We are continuing with the NRLW count.

We are going through the votes from rounds six to eight.

Brisbane’s Julia Robinson polled 11 points from those rounds.

Sydney’s Isabelle Kelly did not poll one point.

There is another Broncos lurking, Tamika Upton. She had 10 points in those rounds.

Voting went silent after five rounds of the NRLW season.

As voting went silent, it was Sydney Roosters and NSW Blues captain Isabelle Kelly who had the outright lead on 23 points.

Newcastle Knights half Jesse Southwell was second, six points behind with 17 points.

A further point back was Brisbane Broncos centre Julia Robinson.

Should Kelly win the Dally M tonight, she would be the third Rooster in four seasons to do so.

• Isabelle Kelly (SYD) — 23
• Jesse Southwell (NEW) — 17
• Julia Robinson (BRI) — 16
• Jakiya Whitfeld (NQC) — 15
• Rachael Pearson (PAR) — 13
• Tayla Preston (CBY)
  Tamika Upton (BRI)
  Yasmin Clydsdale (NEW) — 11
• Emma Verran (CRO) — 9
• Kezie Apps (WST) — 8
• Georgia Hale (GCT)
  Apii Nicholls (NZW)
  Caitlin Turnbull (WST)
  Jess Sergis (SYD)