Nathan Cleary accepted his first Dally M Medal from home on Wednesday night as he recovered from a serious ankle injury, delivering an emotional speech that left his father, Ivan, close to tears at the awards ceremony.
The Penrith Panthers halfback claimed the NRL’s top individual honour with 67 votes, finishing ahead of Braydon Trindall on 53 and fellow Panther Dylan Edwards on 52.
The 28-year-old joined the ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo via a live cross from his parents’ home in Sydney. His father, who coaches Penrith, watched from a table inside the venue.
“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.”
Cleary also reserved special praise for his partner, Mary Fowler, who plays for Manchester City in England.
“I also want to say a big thank you to my partner (Mary Fowler) as well. It’s tough doing long distance, but she always makes me feel supported and loved and that’s all I could ever ask for. She’s just amazing,” he said.
Fowler spends up to 10 months a year in England with Manchester City. The couple met at an Adidas store event in Sydney in 2023, the same year Fowler played a key role in the Matildas’ run to the Women’s World Cup semi-finals.
Panthers star Nathan Cleary accepted his first Dally M Medal during a live cross from his parents’ home on Wednesday night
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary fought back tears as he watched his son deliver his Dally M acceptance speech
Nathan Cleary thanked his partner, Mary Fowler, saying the couple’s long-distance relationship still made him feel “supported and loved”
Ivan Cleary had left hospital earlier that day after undergoing two rounds of surgery for the shattered ankle his son suffered during a tackle by Knights player Phoenix Crossland at the weekend.
The double compound fracture to Cleary’s left leg is expected to require months of rehabilitation. Crossland received a four-game suspension for the hip-drop tackle, with the ban including Sunday’s grand final.
Although Cleary has been widely regarded as the best player of the decade, the Dally M Medal had previously eluded him because of a series of injuries and suspensions.
He played 23 matches this season, created 29 tries and led Penrith’s charge to the preliminary final before the Panthers were eliminated by the Knights.
Cleary had led the Dally M voting for most of the season and finished the count with 67 points, ahead of Trindall on 53 and Edwards on 52.
In the NRLW, Tamika Upton claimed her third Dally M Medal as player of the year, becoming the first woman to win the award three times.
Upton finished two votes clear of Wests Tigers star Raecene McGregor and eight ahead of the Sydney 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 made history by becoming 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 the 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.
Executive Chairman Peter V’landys 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 participation 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.
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