Dally M awards 2026 live: Knights captain Kayln Ponga and Jai Arrow lead the red carpet arrivals as NRL and NRLW stars step out for footy’s most glamorous night

Newcastle Knights captain Kayln Ponga has arrived with his partner Mimi Bowell.

The pair went public with their relationship earlier this month, sharing a kiss on the sidelines after Newcastle’s win in Auckland.

It’s been a good month for Ponga, with his relationship going strong and earning a place in the grand final against the Roosters this weekend.

Bowell is an Adelaide-based swimwear founder and model.

Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow and his wife Berina Colakovic are both beaming as they arrived for the award.

The pair got engaged in Italy in 2024 and married in July this year.

They share a daughter, Ayla.

Arrow played his 100th and farewell game for Bunnies on September 4th – a bittersweet affair following his MND diagnosis earlier this year.

Clearly emotional, Arrow thanked fans and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

The ballots are being counted inside the Dally M awards, with Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards tied for first at 44 votes each at Round 18.

In the NRLW tally, at Round 8 Raecene McGregor is in the lead at 26 votes ahead of Tarryn Aiken at 23 votes.

Nathan Cleary – 44

Dylan Edwards – 44

Jackson Ford – 39

Braydon Trindall – 38

Haumole Olakau’atu – 35

Raecene McGregor – 26

Tarryn Aiken – 23

Tamika Upton – 19

Jessica Sergis – 18

Teagan Levi – 16

The man who holds the most powerful job in rugby league has made an appearance on the red carpet.

Peter V’landys brought along daughter Katrina to the awards night.

He left his side job with Racing NSW to take over the executive chairman role at the NRL earlier this month.

The position was made specifically for V’landys after former CEO Andrew Abdo left to run Tennis Australia.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary told Fox reporters his son, Nathan Cleary, has been released from hospital.

Cleary suffered a nasty double compound fracture in his left leg during a match against Newcastle.

As a favourite to win tonight’s medal, Nathan was expected to do a live-cross acceptance speech from his hospital bed.

But on Wednesday night, Ivan confirmed he was recovering at the family home following a second surgery.

‘He’s pretty sore but he’s doing okay. He came home today but back in Saturday for round two,’ Ivan said.

‘I think he’ll have to be (in the wheelchair) for a couple of days.

‘It was definitely a rough day. It was probably the first time in my coaching career with Nat where the line between coach and dad was a bit fuzzy.

‘Obviously it didn’t go the way we wanted as well. But a great day for the game. Just the Knights and that crowd and that performance. Although it hurts to lose, I guess we were a part of history.’

Tom Trbojevic and Kristi Wilkinson

Haumole Olakau’atu

Kieran Foran and Karina May