Following the furore of last week’s AFL Grand Final, attention has now pivoted to the stars of the NRL and NRLW, who descended on The Cutaway in Sydney’s Barangaroo last night for the 2026 Dally M awards to celebrate the season that was.
The glitzy evening comes just days ahead of Sunday’s back-to-back Grand Final, with the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos set to battle for the NRLW Premiership before the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters face off for premiership glory.
The coveted Dally M medal is determined through a 3-2-1 voting system, with two independent judges awarding points to the standout performers in every match across the season. Ultimately, Nathan Cleary clinched the Dally M Medal, claiming the NRL’s highest individual honour for the first time. During his acceptance speech, the star halfback singled out his partner, football star Mary Fowler, thanking her for her support from overseas.
In the NRLW, Tamika Upton claimed the Dally M Medal for a third time, narrowly edging out Wests Tigers’ Raecene McGregor. A slew of other accolades were also handed out, including Team of the Year and the Ken Stephen and Veronica White Medals for Man and Woman of the Year.
On the red carpet, it was a fashion-forward affair. While the men swapped their on-field jerseys for tailored tuxes, the women (both NRLW players and partners), embraced the opportunity to dial up the glamour.
A smattering of white dresses punctuated a shimmering line-up of gowns, including Roosters star Jessica Sergis, who opted for a white gown by Leah Da Glória. The design featured curved basque corsetry layered over a sleek lace column skirt, finished with a dramatic chapel train.
Teammate Taneisha Gray took a metallic route, arriving in a sculpted taupe gown with draped cap sleeves, finished in a fluid, liquid-effect lamé.
Ahead, take a look at the best looks from the 2026 Dally M Awards.
