{"id":615804,"date":"2026-09-29T23:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T23:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/615804\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T23:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T23:34:13","slug":"nrl-2026-predicted-dally-m-team-of-the-year-leaderboard-contenders-voting-how-to-watch-the-dally-ms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/615804\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL 2026: Predicted Dally M Team of the Year, leaderboard, contenders, voting, how to watch the Dally Ms"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s Dally M Team of the Year is one of the most hotly contested fields the NRL has ever seen.<\/p>\n

While there\u2019s an obvious favourite to win the Dally M Medal, a host of positional awards are up for grabs with players gunning to be recognised as the best in their respective spot.<\/p>\n

Judges vote on their best players in each position at \u201cregular intervals throughout the season\u201d with a final judgement coming after 27 rounds are played.<\/p>\n

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Therefore, overall votes don\u2019t decide if a player does or doesn\u2019t get named in the Team of the Year, with consistency across the season being paramount for selection.<\/p>\n

But if a player finished top three in the overall 3-2-1 Dally M voting, they automatically are included.<\/p>\n

In previous years, the NRL has revealed the contenders for each position \u2014 however, that information was not announced in 2026.<\/p>\n

So here foxsports.com.au takes a crack at predicting the 2026 Dally M Team of the Year!<\/p>\n

FULLBACK<\/p>\n

Contenders: Kalyn Ponga, Su\u2019a Faalogo, Dylan Edwards, James Tedesco, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow<\/p>\n

Analysis: The fullback spot is truly a red-hot race this season. A plethora of players at the back have been excellent. But we will narrow this list down to five players. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been strong for the Dolphins, while Sua Fa\u2019alogo enjoyed his breakout season in a Storm side that struggled and eventually missed the finals. However, the big three this year shakes down to Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco. Ponga has spearheaded a Knights outfit that made a staggering surge to the finals, and ultimately we know Newcastle have gone on to achieve a fairytale grand final appearance. Unfortunately for him, the Dally M voting takes in the regular season and therefore he won\u2019t receive a boost due to his finals exploits. Tedesco, meanwhile, has arguably only got better with age and has been in fine form at the back for the Roosters. However, what could hamper him is the games he missed during the Origin period \u2014 and therefore, he could be leapfrogged. Edwards played 20 regular season games to Tedesco\u2019s 17, and will undoubtedly pull a mountain of Dally M votes on the overall leaderboard as one of Penrith\u2019s most consistent players. There\u2019s also an argument to say Tedesco has more \u2018star\u2019 players to take votes away from him each game, with the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Naufahu Whyte and Robert Toia all delivering. When the voting went behind closed doors after Round 12, Edwards was sitting in third with a five-vote buffer on Tedesco that we are tipping only increased as the season went on, meaning the Panthers fullback could finish in the top three and be an automatic selection in the Dally M Team of the Year.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Dylan Edwards<\/p>\n

Dylan Edwards had a stellar year. Picture: NRL ImagesSource: News Sport Network<\/p>\n

WINGERS<\/p>\n

Contenders: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tom Jenkins, Alex Johnston, Selwyn Cobbo, Jamayne Isaako and Greg Marzhew<\/p>\n

Analysis: If you were going off pure try-scoring prowess, Tom Jenkins and Alex Johnston would claim the two places in this team after sharing the spoils for the Ken Irvine Medal this season. However, as has become the case across the last decade, wingers have to do so much more than just find the try line. Their running game is crucial to a team\u2019s success and if they can create opportunities from nothing \u2014 even better. There\u2019s arguably not a better outside back at doing just that then Mark Nawaqanitawase, who we are predicting earns the first spot in this side. Then for the remaining slot, Marzhew certainly puts up a strong case. The Knights gun tallied the most tackle breaks, the second most running metres and the third-most tries. However, one Dolphins flyer had a career-best year across both the NRL and Origin, even though the mid-year representative spectacle has no influence on this team\u2019s selection. Selwyn Cobbo was dynamite for the 17th franchise, scoring tries at will and helping his team create points. The 24-year-old\u2019s statistics maybe don\u2019t stack up to his rivals, but Cobbo is a moments player and he delivered some big ones this year, namely his Round 21 matchwinning.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Mark Nawaqanitawase and Selwyn Cobbo<\/p>\n

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CENTRES<\/p>\n

Contenders: Herbie Farnworth, Simi Sasagi, Robert Toia, Latrell Mitchell and Casey McLean<\/p>\n

Analysis: One man is a certainty to be included in this team and it means he will have the ultimate bargaining power when he negotiates a new contract this summer. Herbie Farnworth, who is off-contract at the end of 2027, has all but secured his position as the best centre in the game with a staggering season, consistently providing threat for the Dolphins on the left edge. The 26-year-old has the most tackle breaks of any player this season to go his crown as the off-load leader. A truly stellar campaign that will likely see Farnworth competing right at the pointy end of the top gong. From there, the player that takes the second spot becomes considerably more difficult to pick. Latrell Mitchell was in fine form to start the season and given judges vote at regular intervals, could have picked up enough votes to lock himself in here. Casey McLean was also solid for the Panthers without setting the world on fire, while Simi Sasagi had a career-best, but stalled season due to injuries. Therefore, we\u2019re tipping Roosters weapon Robert Toia to get the nod alongside Farnworth. The 22-year-old lays claim to being the best defensive centre in the competition alongside Stephen Crichton, and he hardly missed a game for the Tricolours outside of his Origin commitments. His consistency will be key to his selection and all throughout the year he would have heavily featured in voting, meaning he has a strong chance of earning selection here.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Herbie Farnworth and Robert Toia<\/p>\n

Herbie Farnworth had a big year. Picture: Annette DewSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n

FIVE-EIGHTH<\/p>\n

Contenders: Braydon Trindall, Fletcher Sharpe, Daly Cherry-Evans and Chanel Harris-Tavita<\/p>\n

Analysis: There\u2019s some excellent stories to come out of this position. The first of which being Fletcher Sharpe, who has been an integral figure in a staggering Knights rise, showcasing his speed and ability to find the line as one of the club\u2019s prized local juniors. Next is Cherry-Evans, who moved to the Roosters for an NRL swan song and is one win away, as well as Sharpe, from lifting the trophy on Sunday night. The veteran\u2019s importance for the Tricolours can\u2019t be understated, especially following Sam Walker\u2019s injury to close out the regular season, and he has proven to be an excellent leader for his talented outfit. Warriors gun Chanel Harris-Tavita also deserves a special mention for his excellent campaign. However, the best No.6 this season has been Braydon Trindall, who assumes chief playmaking duties for the Sharks. The gun half will undoubtedly be competing for the top gong, let alone his spot in this team, and a podium finish for the Dally M Medal could lock him in regardless. Trindall led the NRL this season with 35 try assists, while also scoring nine tries of his own to go with the seventh most line break assists. An impressive season from a player who has improved year on year.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Braydon Trindall<\/p>\n

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HALFBACK<\/p>\n

Contenders: Nathan Cleary, Isaiya Katoa and Sam Walker<\/p>\n

Analysis: Isaiya Katoa and Sam Walker were both brilliant this season \u2014 no one can deny that. But given the way the Dally M works, Nathan Cleary will almost certainly be locked into this position with the Panthers halfback definitely vying for the top going. A Dally M Medal has been missing from Cleary\u2019s impressive resume, so could he finally tick it off his NRL bucket list? More on that later.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n

PROPS<\/p>\n

Contenders: Payne Haas, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jackson Ford, Terrell May, Moses Leota, Naufahu Whyte and James Fisher-Harris<\/p>\n

Analysis: The prop position is potentially the hardest to pick this season, alongside the back row. After 12 rounds, Jackson Ford was leading the charge but he suffered a torn pectoral muscle which saw his campaign cut short before a late return. Moses Leota was strong, while Keaon Koloamatangi, Terrell May and Payne Haas were ever reliable for their respective teams. However we have narrowed it down to two players \u2014 Naufahu Whyte and James Fisher-Harris. Whyte churned out the most running metres of any prop for the Roosters and led from the front with a huge campaign in the middle of the park. Fisher-Harris, meanwhile, is constantly a force to be reckoned with for the Warriors and his leadership can\u2019t be understated. This position could truly go to any of these names, outside of Ford due to his injury, but we\u2019re tipping Whyte and Fisher-Harris to get the nod.<\/p>\n

Verdict: James Fisher-Harris and Naufahu Whyte<\/p>\n

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HOOKER<\/p>\n

Contenders: Harry Grant, Blayke Brailey and Wayde Egan<\/p>\n

Analysis: You have to go back to 2022 to find a year when the Dally M Hooker of the Year was won by a player outside of Brailey or Grant. So could this be the year? Grant has had a quieter season by his own impressive standards, but was still one of the Storm\u2019s most consistent players during a turbulent campaign. He is still an elite hooker, but arguably shapes up in the bronze medal in this battle. Brailey, meanwhile, has been strong and his running game has been pivotal for the Sharks in their charge to the finals. However, we\u2019re tipping Egan to get the nod here after a stellar season from the ruck for the Warriors. The 29-year-old has previously battled with head knocks and a handful of niggling injuries, but this year was on the field for 25 games. Egan\u2019s ability to beat his markers and square up defenders is second to none, and he often finds his forwards in space with insane no-look passes. Throw in the mix a keen eye for space when running the ball, and the Warriors gun is a true weapon and was reportedly in Origin calculations for the Blues. Amongst his peers, he had the equal most try assists with Brailey to go with the most line break assists.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Wayde Egan<\/p>\n

BACK ROWERS<\/p>\n

Contenders: Haumole Ola\u2019akatu, Dylan Lucas, Hudson Young, Tallis Duncan, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Jacob Preston<\/p>\n

Analysis: As aforementioned, this is a tough position to pick and one player gets a huge disadvantage. Given a panel votes on the best player in each position at different stages throughout the regular season, Tallis Duncan\u2019s utility value hampers him here. The Rabbitohs gun started his year on the bench before playing eight games in the back row. From there he played nine in the centres and two more on an edge. Given he crossed positions, albeit in a strong year, two other back rowers could win a spot in this team. Haumole Olakau\u2019atu was on fire this season and showcased his damaging running ability for the Sea Eagles. He had the most running metres of any back rower and the most tackle breaks by a staggering margin. Alongside him, Dylan Lucas was excellent up until he suffered a nasty ankle dislocation in Round 21 and his form up until that point could lock him into this side. The Knights gun scored an impressive 10 tries and was a constant threat on Newcastle\u2019s left edge, while the likes of Hudson Young, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Jacob Preston all had impressive seasons respectively.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Haumole Olakau\u2019atu and Dylan Lucas<\/p>\n

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LOCK<\/p>\n

Contenders: Erin Clark, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray<\/p>\n

Analysis: Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo have long been considered the two best locks in the game. But Erin Clark has well and truly blown that opinion out of the water, having won the Dally M Lock of the Year in 2025. We\u2019re tipping the Warriors weapon to go back-to-back here after yet another stellar campaign for the team across the Tasman. The 29-year-old is truly a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the park under Andrew Webster, playing a pivotal role in a forward pack that are equal parts damaging and surprisingly creative. Clark is not only a threat with his running game but has been able to record six tries and six try assists to go with an impressive nine line breaks. He also has the 36th most running metres in the competition, evolving his game to be incredibly well-rounded. Yet another stellar campaign from one of New Zealand\u2019s most consistent players.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Erin Clark<\/p>\n

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n

Contenders: Cooper Clarke, Ethan Sanders and Francis Manuleleua<\/p>\n

Analysis: While there were a stack of players who made their NRL debuts this year, a handful stuck out from the bunch. Francis Manuleleua shapes as the bolter in this equation and played only 11 regular season games after making his debut off the bench in Round 3. It wasn\u2019t until Round 20 when he fully emerged as a genuine star. Ethan Sanders, meanwhile, was handed the reins in the No.7 for the Raiders and did an admirable job in his first full season in first grade. However, Cooper Clarke was the pick of the bunch. The hardy forward become a reliable and consistent figure in a struggling Storm side, emerging as a \u2018go to\u2019 forward for Craig Bellamy this season. The 20-year-old played 24 games in his debut season in a team that is notoriously tough to break into and was a shining light \u2014 and a deserving winner of this award should he get the nod.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Cooper Clarke<\/p>\n

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COACH OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n

Contenders: Ivan Cleary, Trent Robinson, Justin Holbrook and Andrew Webster<\/p>\n

Analysis: Yes, the Warriors, Roosters and Panthers battled it out for the minor premiership. Yes, all three sides were dominant throughout the regular season. Yes, this trio of coaches are considered amongst the best in the NRL and the Roosters reached the grand final. But Justin Holbrook arguably trumped them all in his first season at the helm of the Knights. The former Titans mentor took over what was a struggling outfit that won the wooden spoon in 2025, a fate that saw Adam O\u2019Brien axed as head coach. Holbrook oversaw a full off-season transformation and managed to instil belief in a squad many believed were headed for back-to-back 17th place finishes. Instead, they finished in seventh and could have easily climbed further up the NRL ladder after losing countless tight contests in games that last season they would have folded in. Now they are one win away from a premiership after a gritty finals campaign. A seriously impressive effort fully deserving of coach of the year honours.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Justin Holbrook<\/p>\n

DALLY M MEDAL WINNER<\/p>\n

Contenders: Nathan Cleary, Herbie Farnworth, Dylan Edwards, James Tedesco, Kalyn Ponga and Braydon Trindall <\/p>\n

Analysis: This year\u2019s Dally M Medal is sure to be hotly contested with several truly great individual campaigns. It\u2019s set to be an interesting vote, and when the leaderboard went behind closed doors Nathan Cleary was leading the way on 38, with Jackson Ford in second with 35 following by Dylan Edwards (32), Scott Drinkwater (29), James Tedesco (27) and Braydon Trindall (23). It\u2019s important to note too that Herbie Farnworth didn\u2019t feature on the list released and Kalyn Ponga sat on 19 votes. Of that group, Cleary and Tedesco both featured in Origin, hampering their voting potential through that period after missing a handful of games. Meanwhile, the likes of Edwards, Trindall and Farnworth all played through. But overall, one player stands out from the bunch after a stellar campaign. Fresh off being named the RLPA Player of the Year, Nathan Cleary could finally tick off the top going that has eluded him thus far in his career and he\u2019s tipped to win the Dally M Medal. The Penrith weapon led from the front for the Panthers, while Trindall could come in second place after a dominant period for the Sharks before their ugly late-season slide. Edwards and Farnworth could then fight it out for a podium finish.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n

PREDICTED 2026 DALLY M TEAM OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n

1. Dylan Edwards<\/p>\n

2. Mark Nawaqanitawase<\/p>\n

3. Herbie Farnworth<\/p>\n

4. Robert Toia<\/p>\n

5. Selwyn Cobbo<\/p>\n

6. Braydon Trindall<\/p>\n

7. Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n

8. Naufahu Whyte<\/p>\n

9. Wayde Egan<\/p>\n

10. James Fisher-Harris<\/p>\n

11. Haumole Olakau\u2019atu<\/p>\n

12. Dylan Lucas<\/p>\n

13. Erin Clark<\/p>\n

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2025 PREDICTION RESULTS – 13\/15<\/p>\n

Predicted 2025 Dally M Team of the Year<\/p>\n

1. James Tedesco<\/p>\n

2. Xavier Coates<\/p>\n

3. Herbie Farnworth – KOTONI STAGGS<\/p>\n

4. Stephen Crichton<\/p>\n

5. Mark Nawaqanitwase<\/p>\n

6. Ethan Strange<\/p>\n

7. Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n

8. Addin Fonua-Blake<\/p>\n

9. Blayke Brailey<\/p>\n

10. Payne Haas<\/p>\n

11. Hudson Young<\/p>\n

12. Eliesa Katoa<\/p>\n

13. Isaah Yeo – ERIN CLARK<\/p>\n

Predicted 2025 Coach of the year: Ricky Stuart<\/p>\n

Predicted 2025 Rookie of the year: Robert Toia<\/p>\n

2024 PREDICTION RESULTS – 11\/13<\/p>\n

Predicted 2024 Dally M Team of the Year<\/p>\n

Fullback: James Tedesco<\/p>\n

Wingers: Zac Lomax and Brian To\u2019o<\/p>\n

Centres: Stephen Crichton and Jesse Ramien – HERBIE FARNWORTH<\/p>\n

Five-eighth: Matt Burton – TOM DEARDEN<\/p>\n

Halfback: Jahrome Hughes<\/p>\n

Props: Joseph Tapine and Addin Fonua-Blake<\/p>\n

Hooker: Harry Grant<\/p>\n

Back rowers: Eliesa Katoa and Angus Crichton<\/p>\n

Lock: Isaah Yeo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This year\u2019s Dally M Team of the Year is one of the most hotly contested fields the NRL…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":615805,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[111,139,69,213],"class_list":["post-615804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/615804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=615804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/615804\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/615805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=615804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=615804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=615804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}