Nathan Cleary faces stiff competition from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Fisher-Harris and Tom Trbojevic for the race for the Dally M Medal.
With the votes now going behind closed doors until the end of the season when the winner will be named, Cleary is four clear of RTS with Fisher-Harris another vote adrift, followed by Trbojevic.
Cleary, RTS and Tommy Turbo didn't receive any votes in round 12 but Fisher-Harris picked up two in Penrith's win over Canterbury for the Kiwi prop to continue to keep pace with his more-fancied contenders.
Indigenous Round featured a bunch of upsets with lower-ranked sides getting up - Wests Tigers knocking over the Dragons, Souths doing likewise to Parramatta, the Sharks smashing the Gold Coast and Newcastle edging out Manly.
Dally M leaderboard
For the full list of all 2021 vote-getters, click here
| Nathan Cleary | 21 |
| Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | 17 |
| James Fisher-Harris | 16 |
| Tom Trbojevic | 15 |
| Latrell Mitchell* | 13 |
| William Kennedy | 12 |
| James Tedesco | 12 |
| Ryan Papenhuyzen | 12 |
| Adam Doueihi | 11 |
| Ben Hunt | 10 |
| Scott Drinkwater | 10 |
| Benji Marshall | 10 |
| Reed Mahoney | 10 |
| Daly Cherry-Evans | 9 |
| David Fifita* | 9 |
| Mitch Moses | 8 |
| Cody Walker | 8 |
* Players listed with an asterisk are ineligible to win Dally M Awards due to suspension. Points penalties for suspensions will be applied at the end of the season to determine the final Dally M Medal leaderboard.
Round 12 snapshot
All the scorelines, highlights, Dally M votes, injuries and judiciary news from the 12th round of the Telstra Premiership.
Broncos v Storm, Thursday 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium
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- Match report: In-demand Hynes stars as Storm thump Broncos
- Injuries: Payne Haas (knee)
- Judiciary: Felise Kaufusi (tripping)
- Dally M votes: 3 - Brandon Smith, 2 - Nicho Hynes, 1- Jesse Bromwich. Judge: James Smith
Match Highlights: Broncos v Storm
Cowboys v Warriors, Friday 6pm at QCB Stadium
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- Match report: Holmes cooking: Valentine kicks Cowboys to win over Warriors
- Injuries: No major injuries reported
- Judiciary: Adam Pompey (crusher tackle), Reece Walsh (striking), Mitchell Dunn (dangerous contact - head/neck), Jazz Tevaga (dangerous contact - other)
- Dally M votes: 3 - Scott Drinkwater, 2 - Val Holmes, 1 - Reece Walsh. Judge: Steve Roach
Wests Tigers v Dragons, Friday 7.55pm at Bankwest Stadium
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- Match report: Laurie sizzles as Tigers douse Dragons
- Injuries: No major injuries reported
- Judiciary: Luciano Leilua (shoulder charge), Tariq Sims (dangerous contact - head/neck)
- Dally M votes: 3 - Daine Laurie, 2 - Luke Brooks, 1 - Luciano Leilua. Judge: Andrew Johns
Match Highlights: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Panthers v Bulldogs, Saturday 3pm at BlueBet Stadium
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- Match report: Panthers finish with a flurry to beat gritty Bulldogs
- Injuries: Brad Deitz (hamstring)
- Judiciary: Isaah Yeo (high tackle - careless), Will Hopoate (contrary conduct), Moses Leota (high tackle - careless), Jack Hetherington (high tackle - careless)
- Dally M votes: 3 - Stephen Crichton, 2 - James Fisher-Harris, 1 - Brian To'o. Judge: Corey Parker
Match Highlights: Panthers v Bulldogs
Rabbitohs v Eels, Saturday 5.30pm at Stadium Australia
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- Match report: Gagai, Johnston bag hat-tricks in big win
- Injuries: Mark Nicholls (head knock)
- Judiciary: Ryan Matterson (high tackle - careless)
- Dally M votes: 3 - Dane Gagai, 2 - Cody Walker, 1 - Damien Cook. Judge: Roy Masters
Match Highlights: Rabbitohs v Eels
Roosters v Raiders, Saturday 7.35pm at Central Coast Stadium
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- Match report: Suaalii on the board, Manu on the march
- Injuries: Isaac Liu (eye), Corey Horsburgh (wrist), Bailey Simonsson (head knock)
- Judiciary: Ryan James (contrary conduct), Jordan Rapana (high tackle - careless)
- Dally M votes: 3 - Joey Manu, 2 - James Tedesco, 1 - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Judge: Greg Alexander
Match Highlights: Roosters v Raiders
Sharks v Titans, Sunday 2pm at Coffs Harbour International Stadium
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- Match report: Johnson's 200th a winner as Sharks savage sorry Titans
- Injuries: AJ Brimson (knee), Beau Fermor (hamstring)
- Judiciary: Match review committee to announce findings on Monday
- Dally M votes: 3 - Shaun Johnson, 2 - Matt Moylan, 1 - Aaron Woods. Judge: Ben Hannant
Match Highlights: Sharks v Titans
Knights v Sea Eagles, Sunday 4.05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
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- Match report: Hobbled Frizell on report: Blues berth in doubt as Knights upset Manly
- Injuries: Josh Schuster (leg, training mishap), Zac Saddler (facial fracture), Ben Trbojevic (head knock), Tyson Frizell (ankle), Tex Hoy (head knock)
- Judiciary: Match review committee to announce findings on Monday
- Dally M votes: 3 - Tyson Frizell, 2 - Daniel Saifiti, 1 - Daly Cherry-Evans. Judge: Chris Heighington
Match Highlights: Knights v Sea Eagles