Upton makes history with second Dally M after dominant return for Broncos

Jarred Cross Published October 2, 2025 at 6.00am (AWST)

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Tamika Upton edged past Broncos teammate Julia Robinson to receive the Dally M Medal on Wednesday, becoming the first NRLW player to win the award twice. (Image: Steve Markham/AAP)

Tamika Upton is the NRL women's competition's first two-time Dally M medallist, edging out Broncos teammate Julia Robinson in Wednesday night rugby league awards night.

The Barada woman, Indigenous All Star and Jillaroos No.1 took home the NRLW's highest individual honour for the second time in three years on a night for fullbacks, with Roosters skipper James Tedesco handed his second Dally M with a 22 point margin in front of the NRL's next best.

It took Upton, 28, until the second last round of the home and away season to jump on top of the leaderboard after Robinson was rested against the Warriors in Round 10.

Both players had an argument to take home maximum points in the last week before finals, though Upton's hat-trick in a 50-4 win over the Cowboys was enough to help her make history by earning a second Dally M Medal.

She joins Johnathan Thurston (2005, 2007, 2014, 2015) and Cliff Lyons (1990, 1994) as Indigenous players to win the award multiple times.

In a dominant first season back in Brisbane, Upton scored 18 tries across 11 appearances in the home and away season.

Including Sunday's preliminary final win to qualify for this weekend's grand final against the Roosters, she averaged four tackle breaks, over one line break, a try assist and 133 running metres with the ball across 2025.

Upton won her first Dally M in a premiership year with the Knights, who she left to return to Brisbane for the 2025 season.

*Tamika Upton dominated the NRLW in her return season with the Brisbane Broncos. (Image: Dave Hunt/AAP)*

"I'm grateful for the teammates and the friendships that I got there (at the Knights) and was fortunate enough to be able to come back home, was welcomed with open arms by my teammates, more importantly, the club," Upton said.

"I've absolutely loved my time off the field, and I think that always shows on the field.

"When you're happy, you're playing your best footy.

"Love all my teammates. Can't wait to see my friends and family. More importantly, can't wait to get there on Sunday."

Upton finished on 35 points, followed by Robinson (32), Newcastle half Jesse Southwell (31) and the Roosters' Isabelle Kelly (29) - who was named captain of the year.

Last year's Dally M medallist and duel Indigenous and Māori All Star, Olivia Kernick, rounded out the leaderboard's top ten.

Both Upton and Kernick both earned their latest selection in the team of the year.

Your 2025 NRLW Dally M Medal Winner – Tamika Upton 🏅 pic.twitter.com/zrc2yXIKGf
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) October 1, 2025

In the men's count, Tedesco (67 points) did it easily for his second Dally M ahead of Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary (45) - who polled strongly in the back end of the year.

After sitting second with 29 points when voting went behind closed doors at the conclusion of Round 12, Sharks five-eighth Will Kennedy didn't feature in votes again until Round 21.

Late season performances saw him hold on to finish in 10th on the men's leaderboard.

Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs, who'll also feature in a grand final on Sunday, was rewarded for his season by being named in the centres of the NRL Dally M team of the Year.

Wiradjuri woman and Sharks second row Rhiannon Byers received the Veronica White Medal for rugby league's woman of the year in recognition of her work mentoring Indigenous youth with Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation.