Sydney to present Dally M awards to the best NRL and NRLW players — ABC News Australia

The Dally M Awards ceremony will be held in Sydney, Australia, to honour the best players in the men's NRL and women's NRLW. The awards presentation will begin at 6:30 pm Australian Eastern Time at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, on the shores of Sydney Harbour. Participants are expected to start arriving on the red carpet at 5:30 pm.

As ABC News Australia reports, Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary is the favourite in the men's category and could win the award for the first time. After Round 12, he led the count with 38 points. Cleary is in hospital following surgery for a serious leg fracture.

Contenders for the main awards

Cleary's closest pursuer was Warriors forward Jackson Ford, with 35 points. However, he suffered a pectoral injury in Round 16 and missed the remainder of the regular season. Other contenders include Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards with 32 points, North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater with 29, and reigning medallist James Tedesco of the Roosters with 27.

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In the women's category, Brisbane Broncos fullback Tamika Upton is the favourite and could win her third award in four years. After four NRLW matches, she had 12 points. Her rivals include Roosters playmaker Tarryn Aiken and Raiders fullback Sherridan Gallagher, with 11 points each, Brisbane halfback Jesse Southwell with 10, and Titans player Teagan Levey with nine.

Other ceremony honours

A player can receive a maximum of six points for one match, so the contenders' positions could have changed after voting became secret. The ceremony will also name the NRL and NRLW teams of the year, rookie, captain and coach of the year, and recognise the best try and best tackle. The Ken Stephen and Veronica White medals will be presented to male and female players who have made the greatest contribution to their rugby communities.