The regular season has come and gone. So who will earn selection in the Dally M Team of the Year?

There’s a clear favourite to win the Dally M Medal, but a host of positions are up for grabs to be recognised as the best players in their respective positions.

Judges vote on their best players in each position at “regular intervals throughout the season” with a final judgement coming after 27 rounds are played.

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Therefore, overall votes don’t decide if a player does or doesn’t get named in the Team of the Year, with consistency across the season being paramount for selection.

But if a player finished top three in the overall 3-2-1 Dally M voting, they automatically slot in.

The NRL released a shortlist of players in each position, so here foxsports.com.au analyses who could have their named called out for the Dally M Team of the Year in 2025!

FULLBACK

Contenders:

James Tedesco

Kaeo Weekes

Reece Walsh

Analysis: This one is an easy choice, due to James Tedesco being the cut and dry favourite to win the Dally M Medal in 2025. The Roosters gun has put together one of his most complete seasons to date, and his chances of taking out the top going were only boosted without Origin football, having been replaced as NSW fullback full time by Dylan Edwards. The 32-year-old had more games to poll votes and he delivered in spades for the Tricolours. The veteran fullback broke the most tackles of any player, had the most running metres, the fourth most try assists and also scored 11 of his own in a staggering season. Elsewhere Kaeo Weekes earned a nomination in a huge reward for his breakout campaign at the back for the Raiders, while Reece Walsh was also excellent for the Broncos and has arguably been the best player on the planet across the last two months.

Verdict: James Tedesco

WINGERS

Contenders:

Mark Nawaqanitawase

Xavier Savage

Jacob Kiraz

Zac Lomax

Xavier Coates

Analysis: While all five players here had impressive campaigns, two players stand out from the bunch. In his first NRL season, Mark Nawaqanitawase was simply outstanding and is on the verge of representative selection with only 24 first grade games under his belt. The 25-year-old is a lethal finisher and produced points from impossible situations on multiple ocassions. Nawaqanitawase took out the try-scoring leaderboard and also had the most line breaks of any player, and would have been a shoe-in for Dally M Rookie of the Year if he wasn’t ruled ineligible by the NRL. He is set to leave rugby league once his deal expires in 2026, but the Roosters will welcome him back with open arms should he want to return to the 13-man code in years to come. Meanwhile, Xavier Coates was also excellent for the Storm, scoring 20 tries in his 21 appearances. The 24-year-old’s aerial threat went to a new level, with Melbourne’s playmakers making a point of kicking to his wing any chance they could get. Coates has consistently been one of the best performing players under Craig Bellamy and would have been at the forefront of conversations when judges made their decisions position-by-position during the year. Elsewhere, Xavier Savage is another Raider whose nomination comes after a strong season in the nation’s capital. Zac Lomax and Jacob Kiraz round out the contenders, and both are elite wingers but didn’t reach the heights of the two winners here.

Verdict: Mark Nawaqanitawase and Xavier Coates

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CENTRES

Contenders:

Casey McLean

Robert Toia

Herbie Farnworth

Stephen Crichton

Kotoni Staggs

Analysis: Last season, Herbie Farnworth and Stephen Crichton reigned supreme in this position. That pairing looks unlikely to change, with both delivering mammoth seasons. Despite an injury which ended his campaign prematurely, Farnworth was at one stage the in-form player on the competition, scoring 12 tries and tallying 23 more offloads than the next best Dolphin, while he also finished fifth overall for that statistic. Simply put, Farnworth looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and is a worthy winner in this position alongside Crichton, who proves time and time again why he’s considered in the elite category. The Bulldogs skipper leads from the front, especially in defence and he also tallied nine try assists. Kotoni Staggs could be considered hard-done-by after an incredibly strong finish to his season, but he may miss out on votes in the early periods of the season. The Broncos gun tallied 25 line breaks, the second most of any player, while also sitting ninth for overall tackle breaks. The remaining two candidates are young guns Robert Toia and Casey McLean who both have been solid in 2025. Toia, in particular, had a breakout year and is one of three nominated for the Rookie of the Year award.

Verdict: Stephen Crichton and Herbie Farnworth

FIVE-EIGHTH

Contenders:

Cameron Munster

Ethan Strange

Matt Burton

Analysis: The Raiders enjoyed a stellar season, and Ethan Strange was a massive reason as to why the team from the nation’s capital were difficult to beat. The 21-year-old was the best five-eighth this season, taking his game to a new level on the left edge. Strange assisted 15 tries, scored 14 to be the Raiders’ overall leader and also broke the line an impressive 18 times. Strange is on the cusp of representative honours, with Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters previously indicating the young gun is well and truly in the mix to receive an Australian cap. Meanwhile, Ricky Stuart has also declared it’s a matter of when, not if the rising star will wear the No.6 for NSW after representing the Blues at under 19s level. Illness saw him miss out on Canberra’s elimination final against the Sharks, and many will be wondering if they would have put up more of a fight with Strange on the park. Meanwhile, Cameron Munster was once again strong for the Storm while Matt Burton had one of his best NRL seasons to date for the Bulldogs, especially early in the year when Cameron Ciraldo’s outfit were on the charge.

Verdict: Ethan Strange

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HALFBACK

Contenders:

Nathan Cleary

Jamal Fogarty

Isaiya Katoa

Analysis: The halfback position is one of the hardest to pick this season and all three contenders were excellent. But when voting at regular intervals throughout the year, Panthers superstar Cleary looks the likely man to get the nod, especially considering his end to the season. The superstar No.7 was immense as Penrith surged from last after Round 12 to the top eight and a preliminary final. The 27-year-old is the game’s premier halfback and as such will be front of mind for the voting panel. Katoa, meanwhile, took his game to new heights this year and played a huge role in a mid-season Dolphins surge, but ultimately he was unable to lift the NRL newcomers when it mattered and find a spot in the finals. Fogarty was also excellent, especially early in the year and he pulled the strings with poise and experience, hence why the Sea Eagles went after him as a replacement for Daly Cherry-Evans.

Verdict: Nathan Cleary

PROPS

Contenders:

Addin Fonua-Blake

Stefano Utoikamanu

Josh Papalii

Terrell May

Payne Haas

Analysis: A suspension has ruled Joseph Tapine out of the Dally M race, but the Raiders gun would have been a shoe-in to win a spot in this team. The other certainty here is Payne Haas, and not much needs to be said. The Broncos enforcer is the game’s premier prop and broke the third most tackles of any player, finished 10th in running metres, second for offloads and he also scored three tries. It’d be a safe bet to pencil him in for 2026 right now. The second spot is up for debate. Josh Papalii was strong for the Raiders and earnt himself a contract extension, but it’s unlikely the veteran middle forces his way into this team. Terrell May and Stefano Utoikamanu also enjoyed stellar campaigns for their respective new clubs, but Addin Fonua-Blake is the pick of the marquee recruits. The man who made the move from the Warriors to the Sharks was one of the best forwards in the competition during the regular season and will likely get consistent votes when the judges met at intervals during the year. Fonua-Blake had the most running metres, most line breaks, the most tries and third most tackle breaks of any regular starting prop.

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HOOKER

Contenders:

Apisai Koroisau

Blayke Brailey

Tom Starling

Analysis: Harry Grant was ruled out of contention after his late-season suspension, which leaves a clear favourite to win the Dally M No.9 jersey. Blayke Brailey has had a career-best season for the Sharks, playing the most minutes of any No.9 in the competition by a considerable margin. He also tallied the most try assists, most tackles, most possessions and most linebreak assists of players who have only played hooker. Tom Starling had a breakout season at the Raiders, but he was no match for Brailey’s brilliance while Api Koroisau also had a solid campaign for the Tigers.

BACK ROWERS

Contenders:

Liam Martin

Angus Crichton

Leka Halasima

Hudson Young

Eliesa Katoa

Analysis: There’s two clear standouts in the back row spots this season, with one player set to go back-to-back. Eliesa Katoa had a barnstorming year for the Storm and the Tongan international is cementing himself as one of the rugby league’s premier edge forwards. The 25-year-old had the most running metres, second most offloads and scored the 13 tries alongside leader Leka Halasima. Halasima had a breakout year for the Warriors, but it’s unlikely he usurps Hudson Young, who played all three games for the Blues in 2025. Young was arguably the most in-form forward in the NRL leading into the Origin period and he broke 97 tackles to lead that statistic for back rowers. He also had the second most running metres but it was his ability to create on the left edge for the Raiders that shone bright. His combination with Ethan Strange was a major reason behind Canberra’s minor premiership success. Angus Crichton and Liam Martin, meanwhile, were both solid but arguably weren’t up to their lofty standards for their respective teams.

Broncos’ best may still be to come | 08:07

LOCK

Contenders:

Erin Clark

Isaah Yeo

Naufahu Whyte

Analysis: It’s incredibly difficult to unseat Isaah Yeo from the Dally M Team of the Year. Of the last five named teams, Yeo has been handed the award four times with only Pat Carrigan beating him out in 2023. The 30-year-old has missed a handful of games this season, but he is still the game’s premier No.13 and he had an impressive season. The man set to come closest to replacing him is Erin Clark, who delivered a mammoth campaign filling the shoes left by veteran Tohu Harris. Clark consistently played big minutes for the Warriors, as well as boasting the second most running metres, the most offloads and the most tackle breaks of all locks. Naufahu Whyte was also impressive for the Roosters in a breakout season and he is set to be a key figure in the middle of the park for Trent Robinson for years to come.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Contenders:

Isaiah Iongi

Leka Halasima

Robert Toia

Analysis: Mark Nawaqanitawase was ruled out of the running for this award by the NRL, but would have been a worthy winner. However, that doesn’t take away from the remaining contenders who are also equally as deserving, especially considering they hadn’t spent several years as professional footballers in a rival code. Isaiah Iongi filled the big shoes left by Eels skipper Clint Gutherson at fullback this season, and his first full campaign was hugely positive. Jason Ryles couldn’t ask much more of the talented 22-year-old, who scored eight tries. Iongi looked his best when Mitchell Moses was on the field, but it looks unlikely the Parramatta gun will beat out Leka Halasima or Robert Toia to win the award. Halasima was in and out of the starting side for the Warriors, but when on the field the gun back rower was electric. He scored 13 tries in 25 games and often got over the line late in the contest when coming off the bench. However, Toia could take out the award won by Jack Bostock last season, having made his Origin debut in the decider after a stellar campaign. If Billy Slater rates the Roosters rookie highly enough to hand him a debut after only 10 NRL games, it means he is a genuine talent. Toia scored seven tries and played 22 games in the centres this season.

Verdict: Robert Toia

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COACH OF THE YEAR

Contenders:

Cameron Ciraldo

Michael Maguire

Ricky Stuart

Analysis: Where’s Ivan Cleary? The Panthers coach took the reigning premiers from last after Round 12 to a preliminary final, so how snub shapes as a bizarre one. Regardless, there’s still three worthy coaches remaining. It’s important to note here that finals performances have no bearing on the winner of this award, meaning the Raiders and Bulldogs bowing out in straight sets won’t impact their respective coaches. However, Cameron Ciraldo’s Bulldogs endured a late-season fade which might rule him out of the race, while both the Broncos and Raiders were flying to close out their respective seasons. It’s hard to go past Stuart, who took a team many tipped to be wooden spooners all the way to the top, winning the J.J Giltinan Shield awarded to the minor premiers. The Raiders were the best team throughout the regular season, and as such Ricky Stuart would be a deserving winner. There’s an argument Michael Maguire deserves the award, taking over one of rugby league’s toughest jobs at the Broncos and steering them to a fourth-placed finish. However, Stuart’s achievements are all-the-more impressive when you compare both team’s rosters and he looks likely to get the nod this season.

Verdict: Ricky Stuart

DALLY M MEDAL

Analysis: As aforementioned, the Dally M Medal is James Tedesco’s to lose this season. If the Roosters No.1 doesn’t take out the top gong, it will be a mammoth shock after one of his best seasons in clubland to date. When votes went behind closed doors after Round 12, Luke Metcalf was leading the tally but his season was cut short due to an ACL injury in Round 17. Will Kennedy was hot on his tail, with Metcalf sitting on 31 and the Sharks No.1 on 29. Then came Tedesco on 28, and he only got better as the season rolled on. Both Terrell May and Payne Haas will likely be Tedesco’s closest suitors, with that pairing sitting on 27 and 23 votes respectively after Round 12 while the likes of Nathan Cleary, Isaiya Katoa, Clint Gutherson, Tom Dearden and Addin Fonua-Blake could also be up there after their strong individual seasons, and their potential to poll high when their respective teams win.

Predicted Dally M Team of the Year

1. James Tedesco

2. Xavier Coates

3. Herbie Farnworth

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Mark Nawaqanitwase

6. Ethan Strange

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Payne Haas

11. Hudson Young

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Isaah Yeo

Predicted Dally M Medallist: James Tedesco