Nathan Cleary wins first Dally M Medal

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has won the NRL's 2026 Dally M Medal, the league's player-of-the-year award voted after each regular-season match. Cleary polled 67 votes to finish 14 clear of Braydon Trindall on 53, with Dylan Edwards third on 52. He missed the gala night after emergency surgery on an ankle injury.