In a shock upset, Newcastle Knights National Rugby League NRL star Kalyn Ponga won the 2023 Dally M Medal from Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson by just one point.
Ponga earned the maximum six points in Round 26 and, with many of the big contenders rested in Round 27, it was enough to overhaul Johnson for the win.
FINAL LEADERBOARD:
Kalyn Ponga: 56 points
Shaun Johnson: 55 points
*Scott Drinkwater: 50 points
Nicho Hynes 48 points
Harry Grant: 47 points
Daly Cherry-Evans 46 points
Addin Fonua-Blake 44 points
NRL Dally M Team of the Year
FULLBACK: Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
WINGERS: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) and Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
CENTRES: Stephen Crichton (Panthers) and Herbie Farnworth (Broncos)
FIVE-EIGHTH: Ezra Mam (Broncos)
HALFBACK: Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
HOOKER: Harry Grant (Storm)
PROPS: Payne Haas (Broncos) and Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
BACK ROWERS: Liam Martin (Panthers) and David Fifita (Titans)
LOCK: Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
Meanwhile, Knights star Tamika Upton won the National Rugby League Women NRLW Dally M Medal to cap her stunning season.
NRLW Dally M Team of the Year
FULLBACK: Tamika Upton
WINGERS: Jakiya Whitfeld and Julia Robinson
CENTRES: Isabelle Kelly and Mele Hufanga
FIVE-EIGHTH: Tarryn Aiken
HALFBACK: Ali Brigginshaw
HOOKER: Destiny Brill
PROPS: Sarah Togatuki and Shannon Mato
SECOND ROWERS: Yasmin Clydsdale and Olivia Kernick
LOCK: Simaima Taufa