Tamika Upton's legacy has grown as she outdid her own unprecedented record of two Dally M medals with a third as the NRLW's best player.
The Barada fullback went back-to-back at Wednesday night's ceremony, with Sharks half Braydon Trindall finishing second on the men's tally behind winner Nathan Cleary.
Upton's third Dally M repeats her successes in 2023 and 2025 in seasons where she went on to add a premierships with the Knights and Broncos, respectively.
Brisbane take on the Roosters in Sunday's grand final.
With another Dally M, Upton becomes the first women's player to receive the honour three times, having already been the first to earn two 12 months ago.
Upton was also named fullback in the NRLW team of the year earlier in the night.
"I feel like I play footy for fun, and I'm constantly learning. So that's what's keeping me in the game at the moment, and that's what's driving me," she said after receiving the award.
Upton also paid tribute to her family and supporters, the Broncos, her teammates and opposition players across the competition.
"It feels pretty crazy accepting this individual award in a team sport. So I couldn't do this without my teammates...Like I said, I play footy for fun, but I'm hoping I make a few people proud along the way," she said.
In the men's count, Panthers halfback and wide favourite Cleary accepted the award and delivered his speech from distance as he recovers from a gruesome leg injury suffered at the weekend.
Cleary led by three votes with as many rounds left in the regular season, with Trindall closely behind.
Despite missing the final fortnight of the season with injury, Trindall held on for silver.
Your 2026 NRL Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year - Braydon Trindall #DallyM #NRL pic.twitter.com/qPtp1TiGGn
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2026
The half starred for the Sharks across the season.
Wiradjuri man and departing North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater finished in sixth, with Trindall's halves partner and 2022 Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes just outside the top ten.
In the NRLW team of the year, Indigenous stars Shaylee Bent and Olivia Kernick joined Upton in the lineup at second row and lock.
Kernick's Roosters are vying for revenge in the weekend's grand final after being run down by the Broncos in last year's decider.
The duel Indigenous and Māori All Star was named Dally M winner in 2024.
In the men's team of the year, Selwyn Cobbo was named on the wing, and Trindall was Dally M five-eighth of the year.
Souths winger Alex Johnston not only was presented with the Ken Irvine Medal as the competition's top tryscrorer in 2026 — shared with Penrith's Thomas Jenkins (30 tries each), he also took home try of the year for his record-breaking effort, beating Irvine's record, against the Roosters early in the season.
Your 2026 NRL Kia Try of the Year - Alex Johnston #DallyM #NRL pic.twitter.com/iirELQ2S6Y
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2026
After the Broncos line up against the Roosters in the NRLW grand final on Sunday, Newcastle aim to break a 25-year premiership doubt against the tri colours in the men's premiership-deciding contest.
