The NRL and AFL grand finals are fast approaching, meaning the codes’ annual awards nights are just around the corner, but unlike their Aussie Rules counterparts, rugby league fans have had no idea when the Dally M Awards will take place… until now.
The NRL’s annual awards night rivals the AFL’s Brownlow Medal on the football calendar, but unless they’re on the guest list, footy fans haven’t been notified about any of the details of the glamorous awards night.
The AFL has announced that the 2024 Brownlow Medal will take place on Monday 23 September at the Crown Palladium with coverage on Channel 7 from 7.30pm (AEST), and that was made official weeks ago.
2023 Dally M Medal winner Kalyn Ponga of the Newcastle Knights poses with 2023 NRLW Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton
Nick Daicos arrives at the 2023 AFL Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium with Araette Jones
The NRL’s Dally M Awards usually take place on the Wednesday night before the grand final, but to date only invited guests have been given the details.
The last mention of the Dally M Awards on the NRL website was on August 18, when voting for the NRLW competition took place behind closed doors.
Fox Sports, the network that televises the awards, had also not made any announcement about the date of the 2024 main event at the time of writing.
An NRL spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 2 October at Randwick Racecourse and televised coverage, although not confirmed, is expected to begin at 7.30pm.
How Dally M Awards Work
The Dally M Medal is awarded to the best player in the NRL, as voted for by a panel of judges throughout the season. The voting process involves allocating points on a 3-2-1 system after each match. This system allows players to accumulate a maximum of six points per game, as assessed by two independent judges. The public can follow the rankings until round 12, after which voting is done behind closed doors to maintain the suspense until the awards night.
In 2023, significant adjustments were made to the Dally M voting system for NRL and NRLW competitions. Beginning last season, each game was judged by two independent judges, who awarded votes on a 3-2-1 basis. This change allowed players to earn up to six votes per game instead of the previous maximum of three.
The introduction of a second judge for each game in 2023 not only increased the total number of points players could receive, but also improved fairness by mitigating discrepancies that could occur with judging by a single judge.
In the NRLW, any player suspended for two regular season matches is disqualified from receiving Dally M awards. In addition, a one-match suspension now results in a six-point deduction, up from three points in previous seasons.
Players who lose their eligibility due to a suspension will be able to earn points in subsequent matches, ensuring that the voting process remains consistent throughout the season. However, those who have been suspended for two matches will not be able to earn any prizes.
Historical context and significance
The Dally M Awards are named after Herbert Henry “Dally” Messenger, regarded as one of the founding figures of rugby league in Australia. Dally Messenger was a legendary player of the early 20th century, known for his exceptional skill, speed and versatility on the field. His decision to switch from rugby union to rugby league in 1907 was instrumental in rugby league becoming a popular sport in Australia.
The Dally M Awards have been a cornerstone of rugby league since 1979. Over the decades, the awards have highlighted extraordinary talents who have graced the pitch, and past winners include legends such as Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith. Thurston holds the record for the most Dally M Medals, having won them four times.
North Queensland Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston, pictured with his wife Samantha Lynch, has won the Dally M four times.
In 1997, no medal was awarded due to the split between the ARL and Super League competitions, with Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley receiving player of the year honours in their respective leagues. Similarly, in 2003, the award was not presented due to a disagreement between the Rugby League Players’ Association and the National Rugby League.
After a betting scandal rocked the Dally M Awards in 2020, it is unclear whether or not bookmakers will offer markets in the run-up to the 2024 Dally M Awards. At this time, there are no bookmakers offering Dally M markets or odds.
Two Sydney men working for technology company StatEdge, which tallied Dally M votes for the NRL, have been convicted of insider trading when they placed bets on the outcome of the Coach of the Year category for the 2019 awards. Associates of the two men, Joshua Wilson and Ben Trevisol, were also investigated after they placed bets on the outcome. As a result, the NRL banned all betting on the Dally M Awards. Wilson and Trevisol were given 18-month good behaviour bonds for insider trading.
2024 Rankings and Contenders
Melbourne Storm scrum-half Jahrome Hughes is the hot favourite for the 2024 Dally M
The leaderboard was held behind closed doors midway through the season, which added a lot of mystery and intrigue to the night itself.
In Round 12, Dylan Edwards of Penrith Panthers led the way with 31 points. He was closely followed by Nicho Hynes of Cronulla Sharks with 30 points and Daly Cherry-Evans of Manly Sea Eagles with 27 points.
Other notable contenders include James Tedesco of the Sydney Roosters and Viliame Kikau of the Canterbury Bulldogs, each with 23 points.
However, there were several twists and turns that occurred during the second half of the season.
Last year’s winner Kalyn Ponga led the Knights back to the finals, Hynes spent significant time out injured while Scott Drinkwater emerged like a smoke after the North Queensland Cowboys stormed home to finish the regular season in fifth place.
However, Melbourne Storm scrum-half Jahrome Hughes is the clear favourite to take home the medal after leading his side to first place in a dominant season.
Past winners
- 2023: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
- 2022: Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sharks)
- 2021: Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
- 2020: Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
- 2019: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
- 2018: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors)
- 2017: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
- 2016: Cooper Cronk and Jason Taumalolo (Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys)
- 2015: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- 2014: Jarryd Hayne and Johnathan Thurston (Parramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys)
- 2013: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- 2012: Ben Beard (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- 2011: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
- 2010: Todd Carney (Sydney Roosters)
- 2009: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
- 2008: Matt Orford (Manly Sea Eagles)
- 2007: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- 2006: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
- 2005: Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- 2004: Danny Buderus (Newcastle Knights)
- 2003: NOT AWARDED
- 2002: Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)
- 2001: Preston Campbell (Cronulla Sharks)
- 2000: Trent Barrett (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
- 1999: Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)
- 1998: Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)
- 1997 NOT AWARDED
- 1996: Alfie Langer (Brisbane Broncos)
- 1995: Laurie Daley (Canberra Raiders)
- 1994: Cliff Lyons (Manly Sea Eagles)
- 1993: Ricky Stuart (Canberra Raiders)
- 1992: Gary Freeman (Sydney Roosters)
- 1991: Michael Potter (St. George’s Dragons)
- 1990: Cliff Lyons (Manly Sea Eagles)
- 1989: Gavin Miller (Cronulla Sharks)
- 1988: Gavin Miller (Cronulla Sharks)
- 1987: Peter Sterling (Parramatta Eels)
- 1986: Peter Sterling (Parramatta Eels)
- 1985: Greg Alexander (Penrith Panthers)
- 1984: Michael Potter (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- 1983: Terry Lamb (Western Suburbs Magpies)
- 1982: Ray Price (Parramatta Eels)
- 1981: Steve Rogers (Cronulla Sharks)
- 1980: Robert Laurie (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- 1979: Steve Morris (St. George Dragons)
Dally M Team of the Year and other honors
In addition to the Dally M Medal, the awards night will also recognise the NRL Team of the Year, which will feature the best players in each position based on their performances throughout the season. Other accolades include Rookie of the Year, received by Sunia Turuva of the Penrith Panthers in 2023, and Coach of the Year, received by Andrew Webster of the New Zealand Warriors.