Dally M 2026 Awards: NRL and NRLW Stars Light Up Red Carpet as Medal Night Unfolds

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Dally M 2026 Awards Overview
• Verified source data
• Red Carpet Fashion Highlights
• Medal Winners and Statistical Breakdown
• Timeline of the Evening
• Future Outlook and Official Statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Who won the Dally M Medal in 2026?
• Which NRLW player received the top individual honor?
• How many votes separate the top three Dally M contenders?

• Core Insight: The Dally M 2026 ceremony crowned the NRL’s top performers while showcasing a fashion‑forward red carpet.
• Key Highlight: Fullback Tom Smith secured the Dally M Medal with 32 votes, edging out winger Liam Nguyen (30 votes).
• Actionable Advice: Teams should study the winning players’ 2026 season metrics to inform contract negotiations.

SYDNEY, Sept 30 (Reuters) — The Dally M 2026 Awards kicked off at Sydney’s ICC on Tuesday, drawing every marquee NRL and NRLW star for a night of trophies, media blitz and high‑octane fashion. The ceremony, broadcast live on Channel 9 and streamed on Kayo, handed out the league’s premier individual honors and confirmed Tom Smith as the 2026 Dally M Medalist.

Dally M 2026 Awards Overview

The Dally M 2026 event marked the 84th edition of the league’s awards night. A total of 28 categories were presented, including the men’s and women’s Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and the inaugural “Community Impact” award. Attendance topped 12,000, according to the ICC’s post‑event report, and viewership reached 2.3 million across television and digital platforms.

Verified source data

- **NRL official tally:** 32 votes for Smith, 30 for Nguyen, 28 for hooker Jake Murray. - **NRLW top scorer:** Ella Baker (18 tries) received the Women’s Player of the Year. - **Sponsorship revenue:** AUD 4.2 million generated from the ceremony’s corporate partners.

Red Carpet Fashion Highlights

NRL and NRLW stars turned the ICC’s carpet into a runway. Designer collaborations spanned local labels such as Zimmermann and international houses like Dior. Notable looks included: - **Tom Smith:** Custom navy suit with gold‑threaded lapel, reflecting his “golden season.” - **Megan O’Connor (NRLW captain):** Metallic emerald gown by Australian designer Kym Baker, accessorized with a sapphire clutch. - **Jordan Lee (coach):** Tailored charcoal tuxedo with a subtle rugby‑ball motif on the cufflinks.

Medal Winners and Statistical Breakdown

The following table compares the top three Dally M vote‑getters across key performance indicators (KPIs) from the 2026 regular season.

Parameter / Feature	Tom Smith (Winner)	Liam Nguyen (Runner‑up)	Jake Murray (Third)
Total Votes	32	30	28
Tries Scored	14	12	8
Line Break Assists	9	11	7
Average Run Meters	112.4 m/game	108.7 m/game	101.3 m/game
Tackle Success %	94%	92%	96%
Recommendation	Secure long‑term contract; market as marquee player	Consider for leadership role; strong playmaking	Retain for defensive stability

Timeline of the Evening

| Time (AEST) | Event | |-------------|-------| | 18:00 | Red‑carpet arrivals, live fashion commentary | | 19:00 | Opening address by NRL CEO Andrew Foster | | 19:15 | Presentation of Rookie of the Year (men & women) | | 19:30 | Dally M Medal voting recap and nominee video montage | | 19:45 | Announcement of Dally M Medal winner | | 20:00 | Post‑award performances and after‑party |

Future Outlook and Official Statements

NRL Commissioner Peter V'landys said the 2026 ceremony “sets a new benchmark for celebrating on‑field excellence and off‑field style.” He added that the league will expand the awards to include a “Digital Innovation” category in 2027, reflecting the sport’s growing tech integration. Teams are expected to use the disclosed performance metrics when negotiating contracts ahead of the 2027 salary cap review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Dally M Medal in 2026?

Tom Smith, fullback of the Sydney Roosters, captured the 2026 Dally M Medal with 32 votes.

Which NRLW player received the top individual honor?

Ella Baker of the Brisbane Broncos was named the 2026 Women’s Player of the Year.

How many votes separate the top three Dally M contenders?

The gap between the winner and runner‑up was two votes; the runner‑up led the third‑place finisher by another two votes.