Dally M Awards live updates: Arrow claims prestigious award, delivers touching tribute to close mate

As a reminder, the Dally M medal points system is this:

• Maximum six points per game
• Two Dally M judges per match
• Team of the year voted separately

We’ve just voted from round five to eight in the NRLW.

Raecene McGregor leads with 26 points, Teagan Levi has 23 and Tamika Upton is on 19.

You’d have to argue Levi is a very good chance at claiming the award. She was incredible in her code-switching season.

For the NRL count, after 12 rounds Nathan Cleary had 38 points, Jackson Ford was on 35 and Dylan Edwards has tallied 32.

A few more early award winners before the ceremony proper kicks off.

Ali Brigginshaw won the NRLW Provan-Summons Medal, after receiving a haka from players during her farewell home game, as the Broncos veteran prepares to hang up the boots after giving her all to the game.

Mackenzie Wiki won the NRLW Try of the Year award for a cracking round nine effort, latching onto a cross-field kick from Zahara Temara in an unbelievable game which saw the Raiders winger score a hat-trick.

Thomas Jenkins is, of course, the joint Ken Irvine medal winner.

He and Alex Johnston finished equal with 30 tries.

“So honoured and so stoked to be able to receive this award and share it with Alex as well,” Jenkins told Fox League.

BARANGAROO: Some early winners for the night here at the Dally M ceremony.

Alex Johnston has taken out "Try of the Year" honours for his long-range stunner against the Roosters, which made the Rabbitohs winger the greatest try-scoring in Australian rugby league history.

Earlier, it was Jai Arrow who took out the Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year, for the powerful way he has dealt with a life-altering motor neurone disease diagnosis.

Arrow has also taken out the Provan-Summons Medal, which is for exemplifying the spirit of the game.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly read out a pre-prepared speech on behalf of Jai Arrow.

In the speech, Arrow thanked everyone involved in the game for their support after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease earlier this year and forced into an immediate medical retirement.

The former Origin star singled out teammate Cody Walker and said if anyone deserved the award for showing the spirit of rugby league, it was the Rabbitohs veteran, who has been by Arrow's side through this difficult battle.

Ivan Cleary has spoken to Fox League on the red carpet and confirmed his son Nathan is back home after spending time in hospital.

He’s sure that Nathan will be thrilled if he wins the Dally M.

“It’s a big award, I know he’s probably the same as other players in that they don’t play the game for individual awards, they prefer to be on two legs in a grand final this week,” he said.

“If that happens (he wins the Dally M), I know he’d be stoked and I’ll be super proud too.”

The NRL’s executive chairman Peter V’landys arrived on the red carpet with his daughter.

Retiring NRL star Jai Arrow and his partner Berina Colakovic have arrived at the Dally Ms. 

The couple hit the red carpet in matching black looks, proving chic and classic is always the way to go on such a mammoth night.

Arrow, who finished the season walking out for his 100th game for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, looked dapper in a black tuxedo, paired with a matching black tie.

Meanwhile, Colakovic wore a sassy strapless number that featured plenty of feathers and cheeky split on the leg.

The couple looked to be in high spirits as they posed for the cameras, flashing bright smiles at the crowd of photographers.

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BARANGAROO: We have just wrapped up on the red carpet here for nine.com.au and spoke to some of the game’s biggest stars.

The players involved in this weekend's grand final from the Roosters and Knights are perhaps a little bit more tense than those who are already done and dusted for the season and are here for a few beers and to let their hair down.

There's a recurring theme across the board when it comes to tonight's Dally M Medal winner, with every single player we spoke to picking Nathan Cleary to take out the top gong.

Cameron Murray: I'm gonna have to say Nathan Cleary.

Joseph Tapine: I'm going with Nathan Cleary. He's so consistent every year, he deserves it.

Casey McLean: Our captain Nat. It's been so special to be part of what he's done this season.

Dylan Edwards: Fingers crossed, it should be Nathan.

Tom Dearden: Nathan Cleary for sure.

Blayke Brailey: It's got to be Nathan Cleary, but I reckon Braydon Trindall could maybe be up there as well.

Tom Trbojevic: It's got to be Cleary, doesn't it?

Damien Cook: Yep, it's Nathan Cleary for me.

Mark Nawaqanitawase: I'm going with Nathan Cleary, he's had a wonderful year. It was very sad to see him go out like that on the weekend, but I'm sure he'll come away with the medal tonight.

Keaon Koloamatangi: Got to go with Cleary I think man.

This man has to be a shoo-in for winger of the year.

What a season the cross-code star has had. Will this be the final time we see him at a Dally M or will he return after his stint back in rugby?

While it may be a night of celebrating the biggest achievements from the 2026 NRL and NRLW season, it’s also date night for plenty of these players too.

Tommy Talau of the Sydney Roosters and Jessica Sergis of the Sydney Roosters, who announced their engagement in April this year, arrived in absolutely stunning style.

While Talau kept things classic in a black tux, Sergis was channelling a bit of bridal style with a gorgeous white ensemble.

The fitted corset was paired with a sheer lace skirt and huge train - possibly giving us a hint at what we can expect on their big day?

Millie and Adam Elliott got a similar memo.

The NRLW gun looked absolutely glowing in a fitted white frock, while her South Sydney Rabbitohs husband kept things sleek in a black suit and bowtie.