Dally M Awards live updates: Dad fights back tears as Cleary claims maiden Dally M

Here is the NRL team of the year:

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Robert Toia 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Erin Clark

NRLW team of the year is as follows:

1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Jess Sergis 5. Brydie Parker 6. Teagan Levi 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Nizza 10. Sarah Togatuki 11. Evania Isa’ako 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick

That makes for six Roosters on the women’s team and two in the men’s.

It was never really in doubt, was it?

In round 25, Nathan Cleary polled six points which meant he sealed the award well ahead of anyone else.

That makes it Cleary’s first ever Dally M award.

He has accepted the award from home after fracturing his ankle in the prelims.

“I want to start off by saying how grateful I am for everyone’s support over the last few days with the injury that happened ... I can’t thank everyone enough for the messages,” he said.

Cleary, of course, thanked his teammates for the award along with the coaching staff.

Then he thanked his parents and family.

“They’ve done everything for me and sacrificed so much ... now in my older years this whole year I’ve been living with them because my house is getting fixed,” he revealed.

“They’ve looked after me and I can’t thank them enough. I want to say thank you to my partner (Mary Fowler) as well, it’s tough doing long distance but she always makes me feel supported and loved and that’s all I could ever support. She’s just amazing. Thank you so much.”

Ivan’s eyes were watery but no tear drops spotted.

Tamika Upton has once again won the Dally M medal!

That’s consecutive Dally M medals for Upton and it’s her third ever.

Going into the final round, the race was between Raecene McGregor and Tamika Upton.

Upton finished with 31 and McGregor had 29.

Pretty cool moment as Tigers prop Sarah Togatuki is named at prop in the NRLW Team of the Year.

Togatuki is clearly overcome with emotion as she gets up from her table and even gestured that her heart was beating out of her chest.

Big cheer from the crowd for Togatuki as she accepts her award too.

Well ... finally ... we have returned to counting votes.

The current NRL vote just went from round 19 to 23.

In the lead is Nathan Cleary on 56 and Braydon Trindall has 53.

Dylan Edwards is on 46.

Trindall is really no chance now because he was injured early in round 24 and Edwards is well behind.

James Fisher-Harris deservedly wins the NRL captain of the year title.

“It’s pretty special but at the same time I’m a co-captain (with Mitch Barnett) so it’s as much as mine as it is Mitch Barnett’s so shoutout to Barney,” he said.

Fisher-Harris left the Panthers to come to the Warriors last season and this year started a club haka.

A man of few words, Fisher-Harris said it was cool and gave a shoutout to Andrew Webster for allowing him to do that.

“It’s really special we got to make history and hopefully it’s around forever,” he said.

Kezie Apps has won the award for the NRLW.

She gives her teammates the bird on the way up there too.

Apps’ Tigers finished fourth this year and she’s hoping her teammate Raecene McGregor takes home the Dally M.

Gold Coast Titans boss Karyn Murphy.

She shakes her head straight away as it was announced.

She beat out Roosters coach John Strange and Tigers boss Craig Sandercock.

“We’ve had a great year but I’m shocked to be up here,” she said.

“We have amazing coaches in the NRLW, and I’d like to congratulate Strangey and Princey (Scott Prince) with their teams and wish them the best for the final this week.”