James Tedesco has claimed his second Dally M medal, finishing 22 points ahead of his nearest rival in the NRL's highest individual honour. The Sydney Roosters fullback last won the award in 2019.
Tedesco polled 67 points in Wednesday night's ceremony at Randwick Racecourse, well clear of Nathan Cleary (45), Isaiya Katoa and Payne Haas (both 44). His winning margin was the largest since Johnathan Thurston's victory in 2015.
The Roosters No 1 was also named captain and fullback of the Dally M team. Mark Nawaqanitawase was selected on the wing and awarded try of the year, while centre Robert Toia was crowned rookie of the year after a brilliant State of Origin debut for Queensland.
In the NRLW, Broncos fullback Tamika Upton won the Dally M medal, pipping teammate Julia Robinson. Sydney Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly, who was in contention until missing a game in the penultimate round, received captain of the year.
Tedesco's win came a day after he withdrew from the Kangaroos squad for the Ashes to serve as best man at his brother's wedding. Dropped from NSW's State of Origin side and the Australian Test team last year, he earned a Kangaroos recall this season while leading a Roosters outfit that lost nearly 1,000 games of NRL experience last summer.
Other winners included Canberra's Ethan Strange, named Dally M five-eighth of the year and awarded tackle of the year. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was named coach of the year for the first time since 2016, and Canberra won the headline moment for their 'Miracle in Mudgee' victory over Penrith.
