Roosters skipper James Tedesco has been awarded the NRL’s Dally M Medal, winning the prestigious award a second time in his illustrious career.
The 32-year-old fullback had one of his most consistent seasons to date, having also taken home the top gong in 2019, while finishing second in 2022 and 2024.
Tedesco was the heavy favourite to win the Dally M Medal in 2025, securing it after Nathan Cleary was rested for Round 26 but the win was never really in doubt.
He dominated his competition, winning by a whopping 22 points.
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Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary finished in second with 45 votes, while Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa was hot on his tail his 44 votes.
Tedesco’s win comes after lost the 2024 Dally M count by a single vote to Storm star Jahrome Hughes.
The gun fullback also won the Dally M Captain of the Year and was named fullback in the Team of the Year, as he did in 2019.
“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 in his winner’s speech.
“It’s up there for sure. I mean, I really enjoyed this season. The players we had, the players we lost.
“I enjoyed being the leader of this team and running us out each week.
“It helps not playing Origin. Nath missed lots of games through Origin, and I played every game which definitely helps me score more points.”
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Final Dally M Men’s Leaderboard
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
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Meanwhile, Broncos superstar Tamika Upton was named the 2025 NRLW Dally M Medallist.
The 28-year-old made the move back to Brisbane ahead of this season, having won a Dally M Medal with the club in 2023.
Upton took the lead in Round 10 over her teammate Julia Robinson after she was rested, before a final round showdown between the pair loomed.
The gun fullback reigned supreme, scoring a hattrick and setting one try up in Round 11 with a performance that earnt her three points and secured her the Dally M Medal.
In the process, Upton became the first player to win the prestigious award twice, setting records in 2025 with a staggering 18 tries in 11 games.
“It shows the calibre of team and calibre of coaching at the Broncos,” she said.
Upton finished the season with 35 votes, while Robinson trailed her on 32 and Knights halfback rounded out the podium with 31 votes.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 01: James Tedesco of the Sydney Roosters and Tamika Upton of the Brisbane Broncos pose with their Dally M Medals.Source: Getty Images
Final Dally M Women’s Leaderboard
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
Ethan Strange, meanwhile, capped off a stunning rise to clain the No.6 jersey in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Strange was instrumental in the Raiders’ run to claim the minor premiership and has emerged as one of the best young players in the NRL.
He is partnered in the halves by Nathan Cleary.
Roosters sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase was rewarded for his stellar rookie season with a place on the wing alongside Melbourne Storm star Xavier Coates.
Warriors star Erin Clark beating Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo to Lock of the Year was the boilover of the night and capped a stunning 12 months for the reborn forward.
Having made his NRL debut for the Warriors back in 2017, Clark left the same year for a brief stint in Canberra but was back home to New Zealand by November. He resurfaced at the Titans in 2020 but did not nail a first grade role until switching to the middle forwards in 2023.
After the Warriors picked him up this season on a three-year deal, he has surged into the ranks of the game’s elite middles – capped by his dethroning of Yeo, a four-time Lock of the Year.
NRL DALLY M TEAM OF THE YEAR
Fullback: James Tedesco
Wingers: Mark Nawaqanitawase and Xavier Coates
Centres: Kotoni Staggs and Stephen Crichton
Five-eighth: Ethan Strange
Halfback: Nathan Cleary
Hooker: Blayke Brailey
Props: Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake
Back rowers: Eliesa Katoa and Hudson Young
Lock: Erin Clark
Strange claims Tackle of the Year | 01:43
NRLW DALLY M TEAM OF THE YEAR
Fullback: Tamika Upton
Wingers: Payton Takimoana and Sheridan Gallagher
Centres: Isabelle Kelly and Julia Robinson
Five-eighth: Gayle Broughton
Halfback: Jesse Southwell
Hooker: Emma Manzelmann
Props: Ellie Johnston and Jessika Elliston
Back rowers: Romy Teitzel and Yasmine Clydsdale
Lock: Olivia Kernick
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AWARD WINNERS
Dally M NRL Captain of the Year: James Tedesco
Dally M NRLW Captain of the Year: Isabelle Kelly
Dally M NRL Coach of the Year: Ricky Stuart
Dally M NRLW Coach of the Year: John Strange
Dally M NRL Rookie of the Year: Robert Toia
Dally M NRLW Rookie of the Year: Shalom Sauaso
Ken Stephen Medal: Kieran Foran
Veronica White Medal: Rhiannon Byers
Dally M NRL Try of the Year: Mark Nawaqanitawase
Dally M NRLW Try of the Year: Indie Bostock
Dally M NRL Tackle of the Year: Ethan Strange
Dally M NRLW Tackle of the Year: Ivana Lauitiiti
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