Nathan Cleary accepted his first Dally M Medal from his home while recovering from an injury, with his speech almost bringing his father to tears at the gala event.
Penrith Panthers star Cleary won the medal with 67 votes on Wednesday night, beating out Braydon Trindall with 53 votes and Dylan Edwards with 52.
The 28-year-old was beamed into the ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, on Sydney Harbour, while his father, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, watched from one of the tables inside.
‘I’d like to thank my parents and my family. They’ve done everything for me. They’ve sacrificed so much and put so much time and effort into me growing up,’ Cleary said.
‘This whole year I’ve actually been living at home with them because my house is getting fixed so they’ve looked after me well this year, and I can’t thank them enough.
‘I also want to say a big thank you to my partner (Mary Fowler) as well. It’s tough doing the long distance, but she always makes me feel supported and loved and that’s all I could ever ask for. She’s just amazing.’
Fowler plays for Manchester City in England, where she spends up to 10 months a year. The pair met in 2023 at an Adidas store event in Sydney, the same year Fowler played a pivotal role in the Matildas semi-final run at the Women’s World Cup.
Cleary senior fought back tears as his son accepted the NRL’s highest honour. He only left hospital earlier that day after two rounds of surgery on a shattered ankle suffered during a tackle by Knights player Phoenix Crossland at the weekend.
Panthers star Nathan Cleary (above) accepted his Dally M in a live cross from his parents’ house on Wednesday night
Cleary’s father, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary (above), held back tears during his acceptance speech
Cleary shared a special thanks to his partner, Mary Fowler (pictured together), saying: ‘It’s tough doing the long distance, but she always makes me feel supported and loved’
The double compound fracture to his left leg is expected to take months of rehab work to recover from, with Crossland copping a four-game ban for the hip-drop tackle as punishment, including Sunday’s grand final.
Despite being the best player of this decade, the Dally M had previously evaded Cleary due to a run of injuries or suspensions.
But he played 23 games this year, setting up 29 tries and acting as the chief architect of Penrith’s run to the preliminary final before bowing out to the Knights.
On Wednesday night, Cleary led the race for the majority of the year, polling 67 votes ahead of Trindall’s 53 and Panther Dylan Edwards’ 52.
Tamika Upton took home her third Dally M Medal as NRLW player of the year, and set a record as the first women’s player to win the prize so many times.
She finished just two votes ahead of Tigers’ Raecene McGregor and eight votes in front of Roosters’ Tarryn Aiken.
‘I still remember when I was seven years old playing for the Blackwater Crushers. I actually thought I was going to play NRL. There was no NRLW,’ Upton said.
‘So to be up here standing here now, doing what I do preparing for a grand final on the weekend with some of my best mates, it’s pretty surreal to be honest. I’m pretty lost for words right now.’
Tamika Upton (above) became the first NRLW player to win the Dally M Medal three times
Cleary showing off his Dally M medal at home while recovering from a broken ankle
Among the other notable award winners was rookie of the year Ethan Sanders of the Raiders and Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow, who played his 100th and farewell game for Bunnies on September 4.
Arrow attended the ceremony alongside his wife, Berina Colakovic.
He made the tough decision to step back from NRL and focus on his health after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease earlier this year.
He was awarded the Peter Frilingos headline moment of the year and also the Provan-Summons Medal, for displaying the spirit of the game.
ARLC Executive Chairman Peter V’landys AM applauded all the players for an incredible 2026.
‘Rugby League has enjoyed another record-breaking season, with record attendances, highest ever number of viewers on our Broadcast platforms and more participating than ever before,’ he said.
‘Our players deserve all the credit. Week after week, they have delivered the skill, courage and fierce competition that makes our game so compelling and powerful.
‘To all our winners, congratulations. These honours recognise exceptional achievement, but also the years of hard work, sacrifice and determination behind it.
Former Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow (pictured with wife Berina Colakovic) was awarded two medals; the Peter Frilingos headline moment of the year and the Provan-Summons Medal
Ethan Sanders of the Canberra Raiders and Sienna Miller pose with the NRL Rookie of the Year award
Alex Johnston of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Taryn Carson on the red carpet
Sienna Lofipo of the Gold Coast Titans stole the show in a brightly coloured dress
‘You should be immensely proud of what you have accomplished and what you have given your teammates, your clubs and your supporters.’
The 2026 season will come to an end with the grand final on Sunday.
The Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights will compete for the premiership at Sydney’s Accor Stadium from 7.30pm AEDT.
– READ MORE: The best and worst dressed on the Dally M red carpet
