Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has won the 2022 Dally M Medal – with the highest ever individual score in the history of the award.
Hynes polled 38 points, taking out the Dally M Medal ahead of Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco (33 points) and St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt (32 points), becoming the first Sharks player since 2001 to take out the award.
Sydney Roosters halfback Raecene McGregor capped a wonderful season by being crowned the 2022 Dally M Female Player of the Year.
The biggest ever Dally M Awards - with a fully integrated NRL and NRLW presence throughout the awards for the first time ever - was held at Winx Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
A Dally M Female Team of the Year was named alongside a Dally M Male Player of the Year for the first time in the event’s history.
“We have the best athletes in the world, the most tribal clubs you could imagine, competing in the most entertaining competitions on the planet,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“The Dally Ms are all about the players. Millions of fans watch the Premierships because of them. Kids grow up wanting to play because of them. Communities gather at local parks every weekend because of them.
“Tonight we have celebrated what we love. Moments that captivated us. Tonight we have celebrated the spirit of rugby league encapsulated by the male and female athletes who make our sport great. Congratulations to all the winners.”
Hynes was also awarded the Provan-Summons Medal, for his post-match interview advocating for mental health following the passing of Paul Green.
Panthers Grand Final captain Isaah Yeo also capped a stellar night, awarded Dally M Captain of the Year and Dally M Lock of the Year. The Grand Finalists also boasted Viliame Kikau (Second-rower of the Year) and Api Koroisau (Hooker of the Year) in the Team of the Year.
McGregor earned three points across each of Rounds 2-4 of the NRLW Premiership to win the 2022 Dally M Female Player of the Year Award.
Grand Final Captains Millie Boyle (Prop of the Year) and Simaima Taufa (Lock of the Year) both became members of the first ever Dally M Female Team of the Year.
At just 17 years of age, Knights halfback Jesse Southwell won the Dally M Female Rookie of the Year Award.
And in another sign of the growth of the women’s game, Jada Taylor’s extraordinary try in the Under-19s State of Origin fixture was awarded the Peter Frilingos Headline Moment, alongside Queensland’s epic victory in Ampol State of Origin III.
Final Dally M Leaderboard
Nicho Hynes 38
James Tedesco 33
Ben Hunt 32
Scott Drinkwater 23
Dylan Edwards 23
Mitchell Moses 22
Daly Cherry-Evans 21
Isaah Yeo 20
Harry Grant 19
Cameron Munster 19
The full list of winners is:
NRL
Dally M Medal – Nicho Hynes – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Fullback – James Tedesco – Sydney Roosters
Winger – Joseph Sua'ali'i – Sydney Roosters
Winger – Alex Johnston – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Centre – Joseph Manu – Sydney Roosters
Centre – Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
Five-Eighth – Cameron Munster – Melbourne Storm
Halfback – Nicho Hynes – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Prop – Joseph Tapine – Canberra Raiders
Prop – Payne Haas – Brisbane Broncos
Hooker – Api Koroisau – Penrith Panthers
Second Row – Viliame Kikau – Penrith Panthers
Second Row – Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
Lock – Isaah Yeo – Penrith Panthers
Rookie of the Year – Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
Captain of the Year – Isaah Yeo – Penrith Panthers
Coach of the Year – Todd Payten – North Queensland Cowboys
Top Points Scorer – Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
Top Try Scorer (Ken Irvine Medal) – Alex Johnston – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Peter Frilingos Headline Moment – Jada Taylor/Queensland’s State of Origin win
Provan-Summons – Nicho Hynes – Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
DrinkWise Try of the Year - Scott Drinkwater - North Queensland Cowboys
YOUI Tackle of the Year: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
VB Hardest Working Player of the Year: Isaiah Papali’i (Parramatta Eels)
NRLW
Dally M Medal - Raecene McGregor – Sydney Roosters
Fullback - Sam Bremner – Sydney Roosters
Winger - Teagan Berry – St George Illawarra Dragons
Winger - Jaime Chapman – Brisbane Broncos
Centre - Isabelle Kelly – Sydney Roosters
Centre - Jessica Sergis – Sydney Roosters
Five-Eighth - Tarryn Aiken – Brisbane Broncos
Halfback - Raecene McGregor – Sydney Roosters
Prop - Caitlan Johnston – Newcastle Knights
Prop - Millie Boyle – Newcastle Knights
Hooker - Keeley Davis – St George Illawarra Dragons
Second-Rower - Keilee Joseph – Sydney Roosters
Second-Rower - Olivia Kernick – Sydney Roosters
Lock - Simaima Taufa – Parramatta Eels
Provan Summons Medal - Toni Hunt – Brisbane Broncos
Coach of the Year - John Strange – Sydney Roosters
Top Points Scorer – Zahara Temara – Sydney Roosters
Top Try Scorer – Jayme Fressard – Sydney Roosters
Rookie of the Year - Jesse Southwell – Newcastle Knights
Captain - Isabelle Kelly – Sydney Roosters
Try of the Year – Tarryn Aiken – Brisbane Broncos
Tackle of the Year – Tarryn Aiken – Brisbane Broncos