Dally M Awards live updates: Cross-code star puts heat on favourites as voting starts
Key Updates
- The voting begins at the Dally M
- Who are the players tipping for the Dally M?
- Kalyn Ponga’s big red carpet debut
- Jai Arrow in the building
- James Fisher-Harris’ special plus one
- Who will accept the award if Cleary wins?
- Who is favourite to win the Dally M?
- Dally M leaderboard before it went behind closed doors
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The Fish takes home award
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.
The captain of the year
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.
The NRLW coach of the year is...
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.”
Rookie of the year snaps
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala. Mark Metcalfe
Ethan Sanders. Mark Metcalfe
Warriors season awarded
Warriors coach Andrew Webster was very humble on the red carpet saying he wasn’t expecting any award.
Well he’s now on the podium with the coach of the year gong.
He walks up there as .... A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey plays? Interesting choice.
The Warriors finished second this season.
Webster, of course, thanked the incredibly passionate fans of the Wahs.
“Everywhere we go, every one wants to be part of the Wah nation,” he said.
Webster congratulated Justin Holbrook on the season the Knights have had too as well as Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Elliott claims the Veronica White Medal
The Veronica White Medal recognises the contribution of female rugby league players to their local communities.
Millie Elliott wins the award for her work doing free disability and wellbeing programs.
“I want to say thank you so much for this award ... I know we don’t do any of this work for these awards but it is special to be recognised,” she said.
“I started the Trainer Group Foundation because of my little sister Hannah who has down syndrome and my brother-in-law James who has autism. I come from a regional area in NSW and sport was always that centre for community and connection where people with disabilities felt like they really belonged and wanted to be part of something.
“When my little sister finished school I noticed that had kind of faded away and I wanted to bridge that gap and involve two loves of mine which was people like my sister and rugby league.”
Graham wins Ken Stephen Medal
The Ken Stephen Medal for work in the community has gone to Campbell Graham.
Graham has promoted wellbeing and healthy relationships through South Cares and volunteering through St Vincent de Paul Society.
“It’s a huge honour to win this award ... I’m very proud to be part of a sport that so graciously gives to communities across the whole nation,” he said.
Graham praised the work of Jai Arrow too after the former Souths forward introduced him to starting work at St Vincent de Paul Society.
“My only hope is that me continuing to do this work will inspire my younger teammates to do this work,” he said.
Raiders young gun claims rookie gong
Ethan Sanders has taken out the NRL rookie of the year award, beating Cooper Clarke and Ollie Pascoe.
The young half gave all the praise to the Raiders and made a candid confession.
“I’m super grateful for the Raiders bringing me down two years ago,” he said on stage.
“I needed to come out of my comfort zone and move away from home. I’m grateful that did happen.”
NRLW rookie of the year announced
For the NRLW award, Newcastle’s Mercedez Taulelei-Siala has taken out the prestigious title.
She finished with 14 tries from 13 matches this season with one hat-trick in round nine.
“I had the best captain, Yasmin Meakes, she made it easier for me. I had the best teammates ever, they made my transition from school to first grade so much easier for me,” she said on the podium.
NRL voting moves forward
From rounds 13 to 18, the votes are in for the NRL players.
Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary are both locked together on 44 votes. Jackson Ford is third with 38. Braydon Trindall has 38.
