Dally M Awards 2025 LIVE: Footy great’s wife breaks down over family tragedy as he wins a special medal

That’s Jimmy’s second Dally M after he won the honour in 2019, and he did it in a canter this year, far outpacing the rest of the field.

‘I really enjoyed this season, the players we had, the guys we lost, the players who came up,’ the Roosters skipper says.

His incredible form and leadership were a big factor in holding the Bondi side together through their rough start, and he was in white-hot form as they found their feet and started to steamroll some of the best sides in the comp.

Tedesco became a father for the second time just six weeks ago, and he credited his wife for doing ‘everything’ for him and helping him to be at his best.

The fullback just got up over her teammate Julia Robinson, with the race going right down to the wire. Both stars had immense games in the final round of the regular season, but the No.1’s hat-trick of tries couldn’t be denied.

That’s Upton’s second Dally M after she also took out the top honour in 2023. She’s the first woman to take the title more than once.

Wingers: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Xavier Coates

Centres: Kotoni Staggs, Stephen Crichton

Five-eighth: Ethan Strange

Props: Payne Haas, Addin Fonua-Blake

Second rowers: Eli Katoa, Hudson Young

Wingers: Sheridan Gallagher, Payton Takimoana

Centres: Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly

Five-eighth: Gayle Broughton

Halfback: Jesse Southwell

Props: Ellie Johnston, Jessika Elliston

Second rowers: Romy Teitzel, Yasmin Clydesdale

James Tedesco, Roosters: 56 points

Luke Metcalf, Warriors: 40 points (Metcalf was injured and will not accrue any more points)

Isaiya Katoa, Dolphins: 39 points

Now James Tedesco has been named NRL Captain of the Year.

He did a sterling job leading the Chooks, who struggled to replace injured half Sam Walker early on as they blooded rookies and looked shot at times. The team held fast and were one of the form teams of the competition heading into the finals, with fans given every reason to expect big things from the Bondi boys in 2026.

Big night for the Chooks so far, and it could get a lot bigger if the bookies are right about James Tedesco and the Dally M.

Isabelle Kelly has been named the NRLW Captain of the Year, another thoroughly deserved gong for the Tricolours.

The father of Canberra star Ethan has guided the reigning premier Roosters to their second straight grand final. They’re undefeated through 18 games, going back to last season – a mark any NRL coach would kill for.

His Raiders were the class of the comp all year, taking out the minor premiership before disaster hit them in the finals, losing to the Broncos and Sharks.

‘Sticky’ has said that he couldn’t have done it without the rest of the staff at the club, and his family.

‘I’ve got the best team in the competition and I love each and every one of them,’ he tells host Braith Anasta.

‘I don’t see this as an award for me. It’s for my team.’

The recently retired great has won the Ken Stephen Medal for his outstanding community work off the field. It’s a classy way for the former Manly star to cap off his final season as a player.

He has just paid tribute to his wife Karina, who became emotional as he spoke. Today is her son Logan’s birthday, and he took his own life aged just 20 in November 2023.

‘I’d like to particularly thank my wife, Karina. I know today is especially hard for you,’ Foran said.

‘Logan’s birthday, he would have been 22 years old today. Your love, strength and belief to keep going in tough times like these has been, and will continue to be, a guiding light.’

Toia was quality straight out of the gate in round one, and is a clear choice for this one after also excelling for Queensland in their State of Origin series win.

…Shalom Sauaso of the Brisbane Broncos, who has just thanked her teammates for treating her like a sister.

After round 18, here’s where the race is at:

James Tedesco, Roosters: 42 points

Luke Metcalf, Warriors: 40 points

Isaiya Katoa, Dolphins: 37 points

Julia Robinson, Broncos: 27 points

Isabelle Kelly, Roosters: 23 points

Jakiya Whitfield, Cowboys: 22 points

Now we get to the meat of the night. Here’s how the race for the Dally M looked when voting went behind closed doors at the end of round 12…

Luke Metcalf, Warriors: 31 points

Will Kennedy, Sharks: 29 points

James Tedesco, Roosters: 28 points

Terrell May, Tigers: 27 points

Isaiya Katoa, Dolphins: 23 points

And for the NRLW, which made the voting private after round five…

Isabelle Kelly, Roosters: 23 points

Jesse Southwell, Knights: 17 points

Julia Robinson, Broncos: 16 points

Jakiya Whitfield, Cowboys: 15 points

Rachael Pearson, Eels: 13 points

Pictured, top to bottom: Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake and partner Ana; Roosters star Robert Toia and partner; Souths forward Jai Arrow and partner Berina; and Broncos star Romy Teitzel, the top pointsscorer in the NRLW this year.

The toughest halfback in the NRLW will be one of the lynchpins for the Broncos when they play the Roosters in the grand final. Here she is with her wife Kate Daly.

Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly and Parra winger Zac Lomax have won the Provan-Summons Medal, which is awarded to the stars who best demonstrate sportsmanship and the true spirit of the game.

The first gong decided tonight was the Headline Moment of the Year, which went to the Raiders’ insane win over Penrith in round 25, which was dubbed the ‘Miracle in Mudgee’ after the Green Machine fielded a Nathan Cleary field goal attempt that hit the post in extra time and raced down the field to score a try.

The NRLW Try of the Year has been awarded to Dragons rookie Indie Bostock, and Warriors star Ivana Lauiti’iti took out the NRLW Tackle of the Year.

Mark Nawaqanitawase’s incredible four-pointer against the Dogs is the NRL Try of the Year, with Ethan Strange of Canberra taking the NRL Tackle of the Year gong.

The Bulldogs boss has been in hospital since Monday, and is reportedly awaiting test results around a heart condition. You can read all about it below…

Pictured top to bottom: Storm winger Xavier Coates and partner; Dogs star Matt Burton and partner Zoe; Broncos gun Kotoni Staggs and partner Brittany Becht; and Souths five-eighth Cody Walker and his wife Nellie.

Last year Bulldogs lynchpin Stephen Crichton made waves when he wore Yves Saint Laurent sneakers to the Dallys. This year he’s gone for a more traditional choice with his footwear, but is still catching the eye with his traditional Samoan necklace. He’s pictured with wife Leona.

No run-of-the-mill black tuxedo for Broncos enforcer Payne Haas, who is pictured below with his partner Leilani Mohenoa.

Chooks fullback James Tedesco is the best chance of winning the big award tonight, according to the bookies. He’s pictured with his wife Maria, who gave birth to their second child six weeks ago and is dressed by designer Nicky Apostolopoulos of Velani Couture.

The Roosters gun – who is half of one of footy’s foremost power couples along with her Manly star partner Tommy Talau (pictured together, bottom) – will be turning plenty of heads with this outfit.

Kieran Foran retired this year after playing 318 NRL matches in a storied career that also saw him represent New Zealand 31 times. He’s pictured with his wife Karina.

It looks like Newcastle star Yasmin Clydesdale (top) and the partner of Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa are wearing the same frock, just in different colours…

It’s been a painful few weeks for the Raiders stars. They finished minor premiers, then lost one of the craziest games in recent memory in their first finals match against the Broncos, followed by another defeat at home by the Sharks to bundle them out of the race to the grandy in straight sets.

Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly was supposed to rest for a few weeks after suffering an oral fracture that left her with a splint on her teeth when she copped an accidental elbow last month, but she returned to help get the Chooks into the grand final and was all smiles at Randwick Racecourse tonight.

The Parramatta winger has been tied to a move to the rebel rugby union competition R360, but he has played down the rumoured switch after being quizzed on the red carpet.

‘I’m contracted at the Eels for another three years and I’m loving every second of it,’ he said.

You can read all about the bombshell news here…

Pictured top to bottom: Sheridan Gallagher (right) of the Newcastle Knights and her partner; Alexis Tauaneai and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa of the Bulldogs; and Emma Manzelmann of the Cowboys with partner Hayden Bell.

Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa is regarded as one of the biggest up-and-coming talents in the game, and he’ll be vying with Nathan Cleary and Jamal Fogarty for the Halfback of the Year award.

Lara Pitt (top) and Jessica Yates (bottom) brought a touch of class with their outfits, with Yates going for a classical Hollywood look.

Indie Bostock was seen struggling to keep her eye-catching dress in place as she and partner Tevita Naufahu made their entrance.

Peck is in the running for the most eye-catching outfit of the night so far. Her man, Canberra Raiders star Young, was involved in one of the most controversial moments of the year when he was sin-binned for chirping at Brisbane’s Reece Walsh in the Raiders’ stunning loss in their first finals match.

Dolphins star Tevita Naufahu arrived sporting a bulky knee brace that combined well with his tux. He was accompanied by St George Illawarra NRLW star Indie Bostock.

Sharks skipper Tiana Penitani-Gray is one of the most high-profile faces in the NRLW, and she came within a whisker of leading her side to a grand final berth against the Roosters last Saturday night.

Lily Pickles, the girlfriend of Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth, caused a stir at last year’s Dally Ms when she stunned in a custom gown by Oglia-Loro Couture. She’s no less glamorous tonight.

Chooks star Jocelyn Kelleher will be facing off against the Brisbane Broncos in the grand final at Accor Stadium after her team’s thrilling one-point preliminary final win over Cronulla last weekend.

The biggest names in the women’s game are outnumbering the blokes on the red carpet so far. Here’s (top to bottom) Payton Takimoana of the Warriors and Wests Tigers second rower Montana Clifford.

He has taken the Panthers to four straight premierships but has never won the Dally M Coach of the Year award. That won’t be changing for Ivan Cleary tonight, and footy fans are not happy, Jan.

Other big names who rocked up early include (pictured top to bottom): Roosters star Naufahu Whyte and his partner; Fox Sports stars Eloise Sohier and Jake Duke; and Wests Tigers prop Terrell May and Lottie Lilo.

Thanks for joining us for Daily Mail Australia’s coverage of the 2025 Dally M Medal ceremony.

Stick with us for the next few hours as we bring you all the best and worst dressed WAGs from the red carpet, updates on the vote count and all the awards on rugby league’s most glamorous night.

And to get us started, one of the first arrivals is Channel Nine star Taylor Haynes, who features regularly on the Today show (pictured below).