Rugby League News | Raidercast

Wed, 30th September, 2026, 21:42 AEST
Cleary completes golden set with Dally M triumph
Nathan Cleary won the 2026 Dally M Medal, despite an ankle injury, finishing 14 points ahead of Braydon Trindall. Tamika Upton also won.
The Canberra Times
Nathan Cleary has completed rugby league's boxed set, with the Penrith star claiming his maiden Dally M Medal after romping to a dominant victory at the NRL's gala night.
Unable to attend the awards after his horror ankle injury in Penrith's preliminary-finals loss, Cleary finished 14 points clear of Cronulla half Braydon Trindall.
Tamika Upton also claimed her third Dally M Medal as NRLW player of the year, defending her crown from last year when the Brisbane fullback became the award's first multiple winner.
Warriors mentor Andrew Webster pipped Justin Holbrook to be the NRL's coach of the year, while Canberra playmaker Ethan Sanders was rookie of the year.
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Tue, 29th September, 2026, 16:16 AEST
Why grand final run might not net Knights coach Dally M
Newcastle's finals success won't influence Dally M voting, but players believe coach Justin Holbrook deserves recognition. Nathan Cleary is the favorite for player award.
The Canberra Times
Newcastle's fairytale finals run won't be factored into Dally M coach of the year voting, but Knights players insist Justin Holbrook should still take the prize.
Holbrook's magical first year at the Knights could be recognised at the NRL's gala event on Wednesday night, as one of several key prizes up for grabs.
Nathan Cleary remains favourite to take home the top individual players' honour, albeit with the Penrith superstar unable to attend given his horrific ankle injury.
Panthers teammate Dylan Edwards, North Queensland's Scott Drinkwater and Sydney Rooster James Tedesco were the other players in the hunt when voting went behind closed doors after round 12.
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Tue, 29th September, 2026, 14:32 AEST
Dally M 2026 crystal ball: Winner, surprises, team of the year
The NRL's 2026 Dally M Medal ceremony will see Nathan Cleary favored to win, with key awards being debated.
Zero Tackle
The NRL's 2026 Dally M Medal ceremony will take place on Wednesday evening, with two Penrith Panthers stars the clear front-runners.
In the lead-up to the ceremony, we asked our team here at Zero Tackle to name their winner, their runner up, and all the key awards, before picking a team of the year.
Nathan Cleary is the cleary front-runner to take out the overall award, but there were a number of mixed views on who would crack the team of the year, and sweep the other awards.
Justin Holbrook has been largely backed in for team of the year, while Ethan Sanders is the lead contender to take out the coveted rookie of the year award.
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