The Dally M Medal is Australian rugby league's most prestigious event. It is presented annually to the player voted as the best and fairest throughout the National Rugby League (NRL) season.

The award was created by News Limited in 1980, becoming the Australian rugby league's official awards in 1998. Since 2015 there has been a female award for the best rugby league player of the year.

The Dally M Medal was named after Henry Herbert 'Dally' Messenger, a rugby player of exceptional versatility and prowess in both rugby union and rugby league during the early 20th century. Messenger was instrumental in the establishment of rugby league football in Australia. On this page, you'll discover all the winners of the Dally M Medal, including the most recent award recipient.

“The Dally M Medal, the league's highest individual honor”
— Reuters, in coverage, referencing past winners (Mar 4, 2022).

List of Dally M Medal Winners (Male)

The Dally M Medal was first presented in 1979. In 2014 and 2016 there were multiple winners. Johnathan Thurston of the North Queensland Cowboys holds the record with 4 wins (2005, 2007, 2014, 2015).

Complete List of Male Dally M Medal Winners
Year Player Position Team
2025 James Tedesco Fullback Sydney Roosters
2024 Jahrome Hughes Halfback Melbourne Storm
2023 Kalyn Ponga Fullback Newcastle Knights
2022 Nicho Hynes Halfback Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
2021 Tom Trbojevic Fullback Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2020 Jack Wighton Five-eighth Canberra Raiders
2019 James Tedesco Fullback Sydney Roosters
2018 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Fullback New Zealand Warriors
2017 Cameron Smith Hooker Melbourne Storm
2016 Cooper Cronk Halfback Melbourne Storm
Jason Taumalolo Lock North Queensland Cowboys
2015 Johnathan Thurston Halfback North Queensland Cowboys
2014 Jarryd Hayne Fullback Parramatta Eels
Johnathan Thurston Five-eighth North Queensland Cowboys
2013 Cooper Cronk Halfback Melbourne Storm
2012 Ben Barba Fullback Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2011 Billy Slater Fullback Melbourne Storm
2010 Todd Carney Five-eighth Sydney Roosters
2009 Jarryd Hayne Fullback Parramatta Eels
2008 Matt Orford Halfback Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2007 Johnathan Thurston Halfback North Queensland Cowboys
2006 Cameron Smith Hooker Melbourne Storm
2005 Johnathan Thurston Halfback North Queensland Cowboys
2004 Danny Buderus Hooker Newcastle Knights
2003 Not awarded due to industrial action
2002 Andrew Johns Halfback Newcastle Knights
2001 Preston Campbell Halfback, Fullback Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
2000 Trent Barrett Five-eighth St George Illawarra Dragons
1999 Andrew Johns Halfback Newcastle Knights
1998 Andrew Johns Halfback Newcastle Knights
1997 Not awarded due to split competition
1996 Allan Langer Halfback Brisbane Broncos
1995 Laurie Daley Five-eighth Canberra Raiders
1994 Cliff Lyons Five-eighth Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
1993 Ricky Stuart Halfback Canberra Raiders
1992 Gary Freeman Halfback Eastern Suburbs Roosters
1991 Michael Potter Fullback St George Dragons
1990 Cliff Lyons Five-eighth Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
1989 Gavin Miller Second-row Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1988 Gavin Miller Second-row Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1987 Peter Sterling Halfback Parramatta Eels
1986 Peter Sterling Halfback Parramatta Eels
1985 Greg Alexander Halfback Penrith Panthers
1984 Michael Potter Fullback Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
1983 Terry Lamb Five-eighth Western Suburbs Magpies
1982 Ray Price Lock Parramatta Eels
1981 Steve Rogers Centre Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1980 Robert Laurie Five-eighth South Sydney Rabbitohs
1979 Steve Morris Halfback St George Dragons

List of Dally M Medal Winners (Female)

The female Dally M Medal was introduced in 2015, recognizing the best player in the NRL Women's Premiership. The award has helped elevate the profile of women's rugby league in Australia.

Complete List of Female Dally M Medal Winners
Year Player Team
2025 Tamika Upton Brisbane Broncos
2024 Olivia Kernick Sydney Roosters Women
2023 Tamika Upton Newcastle Knights Women
2022 Raecene McGregor Sydney Roosters Women
2021 Millie Boyle Brisbane Broncos
Emma Tonegato St George Illawarra Dragons
2020 Ali Brigginshaw Brisbane Broncos
2019 Jessica Sergis St. George Illawarra Dragons
2018 Brittany Breayley Brisbane Broncos
2017 Simaima Taufa Jillaroos
2016 Kezie Apps Jillaroos
2015 Jenni Sue-Hoepper Jillaroos

How Winners Are Determined

Players are awarded points (3-2-1) by a panel of journalists after each round, and the player with the highest number of points at the end of the season is judged the winner.

The voting system works as follows:

  • 3 points awarded to the best player on field
  • 2 points to the second-best player
  • 1 point to the third-best player
  • Votes are cast by accredited rugby league journalists
  • Suspended players remain eligible for voting

Pro Tip: The Dally M voting is kept secret until the awards night, creating suspense similar to the AFL's Brownlow Medal ceremony.

There was no medal awarded in 1997 due to the split competitions (ARL and Super League). Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley won their competition's respective awards for player of the year. There was also no award given in 2003 due to a dispute between the Rugby League Player's Association and the National Rugby League.

Notable Achievements and Records

Most Medals Won

Johnathan Thurston leads with 4 Dally M Medals (2005, 2007, 2014, 2015), all while playing for North Queensland Cowboys.

Triple Winners

Andrew Johns won 3 medals (1998, 1999, 2002) all with Newcastle Knights, establishing himself as one of the game's greats.

Multiple Winners

7 players have won the medal twice: Peter Sterling, Gavin Miller, Michael Potter, Cliff Lyons, Jarryd Hayne, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith.

Teams with Most Winners

Teams with Most Dally M Medal Winners

  • Melbourne Storm: 6 medals (Billy Slater, Cameron Smith x2, Cooper Cronk x2, Jahrome Hughes)
  • North Queensland Cowboys: 5 medals (Johnathan Thurston x4, Jason Taumalolo)
  • Newcastle Knights: 5 medals (Andrew Johns x3, Danny Buderus, Kalyn Ponga)
  • Parramatta Eels: 5 medals (Peter Sterling x2, Ray Price, Jarryd Hayne x2)
  • Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 5 medals (Steve Rogers, Gavin Miller x2, Preston Campbell, Nicho Hynes)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has won the most Dally M Medals?

Johnathan Thurston holds the record with 4 Dally M Medal wins (2005, 2007, 2014, 2015).

When was the Dally M Medal first awarded?

The Dally M Medal was first presented in 1979 to Steve Morris of St George Dragons. The award became rugby league's official player award in 1998.

Why is it called the Dally M Medal?

The medal is named after Henry Herbert 'Dally' Messenger, a pioneering rugby player who was instrumental in establishing rugby league in Australia.

How is the Dally M Medal winner decided?

After each round, a panel of rugby league journalists awards points on a 3-2-1 basis to the best three players on field. The player with the most points at season's end wins the medal.

Has there ever been a tie for the Dally M Medal?

Yes, there have been tied winners in 2014 (Jarryd Hayne and Johnathan Thurston) and 2016 (Cooper Cronk and Jason Taumalolo). In 2021, the women's award was also tied between Millie Boyle and Emma Tonegato.

Why wasn't the Dally M Medal awarded in some years?

The medal wasn't awarded in 1997 due to the ARL/Super League split competition, and in 2003 due to industrial action between the Rugby League Players Association and the NRL.

When did women's rugby league get a Dally M Medal?

The female Dally M Medal was introduced in 2015, with Jenni Sue-Hoepper being the first recipient.