Dally M Medal wrap: Gun No.1s get off to a flyer

Freakish fullbacks Kalyn Ponga, Tom Trbojevic and Ryan Papenhuyzen are off to a flyer in the race for the game's most prestigious individual honour in 2025.

The three No.1 guns each polled the maximum six Dally M votes as their sides opened the season with victories - the Knights in a tight one, the Sea Eagles and Storm in a canter.

Ponga ran for 201 metres and had two line breaks and six tackle breaks in Newcastle's tense 10-8 win over Wests Tigers on Friday night.

The 2023 Dally M winner was at his dynamic best as the Knights fought back from 8-0 down to run down a committed Wests Tigers outfit.

Among a host of stars for Manly at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night it was 'Turbo' shining brightest with eight tackle breaks, two try assists and 206 metres fom 23 runs.

The winner of the 2021 Dally M Medal, Trbojevic was unstoppable at times as the Sea Eagles ran in seven tries to open their campaign in style.

Not to be outdone by his fellow fullbacks, Papenhuyzen stepped up in scorching conditions at AAMI Park on Sunday with two tries, three tries, five tackle breaks and 153 run metres as the Storm made it 23 consecutive victories in Round 1 matches.

Raiders fullback Xavier Savage and Rabbitohs No.1 Jye Gray also got in on the action with five Dally M votes, while Panthers supremo Nathan Cleary and Broncos forward leaders Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas also polled five votes.