Jack Wighton has been crowned the NRL's Dally M Medal winner for 2020, but the award ceremony was marred by a media outlet accidentally publishing the result online before the official announcement. The Daily Telegraph story appeared as the event began, prompting Fox Sports to confiscate contenders' phones to keep the secret.
Wighton, a Canberra Raiders star, finished with 26 points, ahead of Parramatta's Clint Gutherson (25) and Penrith's Nathan Cleary (24). The 27-year-old is the first Raider to win the medal since Laurie Daley in 1995, and only the third in the club's history. 'I was writing myself off, missing that last game. It was a massive shock,' Wighton said.
The ceremony was held virtually due to the pandemic, with players and presenters in separate studios. Wighton, Cleary, Gutherson, James Tedesco and Luke Keary watched from a couch. 'Last year was my first and it was a lot different. A bit weird at first but it turned out alright,' Wighton added.
Penrith dominated the team of the year, with Ivan Cleary named coach of the year and four players selected. Warriors' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was captain of the year, and Brisbane's Ali Brigginshaw won the female player of the year award. Wests Tigers' Harry Grant was rookie of the year.
