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Walsh at centre of bombshell Dally M call

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By Ben Talintyre,James Dampney

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11:33AMWednesday, October 1st, 2025

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Dally M Medal 2025 awards live: Calls grow for complete system overhaul, shock Reece Walsh call
Calls are mounting for the Dally M to be overhauled ahead of the 2025 ceremony, while a shock name has emerged as a top Dally M contender.
Ben Talintyre and James Dampney

less than 2 min read
October 1, 2025 – 6:51PM

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Oct 01, 2025

Gorden Tallis suggests Walsh could upset Tedesco

Calls mount for Dally M overhaul

Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of rugby league’s night of nights, the 2025 Dally M Awards from Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.
A host of awards will be handed out over the course of the evening, including the team of the year, best coach and best rookie, along with the coveted men’s and women’s Dally M Medal winners.
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Roosters veteran James Tedesco is heavily favoured to claim what would be a hugely popular second Dally M triumph for the 32-year-old, who also took the honour back in 2019.
Dropped from the NSW Origin side last year in favour of Panther Dylan Edwards, ‘Teddy’ finished second in the 2024 Dally M and produced another outstanding individual season for the Tricolours this year.

James Tedesco (right) is one of the Dally M favourites, while Reece Walsh is in contention for fullback of the year. Picture: NRL Photos
When voting went behind closed doors after round 12, the Warriors’ Luke Metcalf was leading the way with 31 votes, ahead of Cronulla’s Will Kennedy (29), Tedesco (28) and the Tigers’ Terrell May (27).
Sadly Metcalf suffered a torn ACL in round 17, effectively ruling him out of contention, with Payne Haas, Isaiya Katoa and Clint Gutherson among those expected to poll plenty of votes.
Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes, who will feature in this weekend’s grand final against the Broncos, claimed last year’s medal with 62 votes, just one ahead of Tedesco.
Olivia Kernick took home the NRLW award 12 months ago with 22 votes, two clear of Abbi Church and Lauren Brown.
There are sure to be plenty of twists and turns this evening, along with the red carpet arrivals, and we’ll have all the big moments for you live right here.

54 minutes ago

HIGHLIGHT

Gorden Tallis suggests Walsh could upset Tedesco

Ben Talintyre

Queensland legend Gorden Tallis believes the Dally M race isn’t as cut and dry as many think, tipping Reece Walsh as a dark horse for the top gong.

Walsh has been in stunning form at the back-end of 2025, and Tallis believes it is a good chance he could have tallied 36 points in the last six weeks alone, which would put him right in the mix with James Tedesco.

“I reckon the last six weeks when Adam Reynolds is out, it is fair to say he could have got six points every game or very close to,” Tallis said on NRL360.

If Walsh did in fact get the maximum votes for the last 6 weeks, that would see him total 36 votes there alone.

Oct 01, 2025

HIGHLIGHT

Calls mount for Dally M overhaul

Ben Talintyre

Ahead of the 2025 Dally M’s, calls are growing for a complete overhaul to the voting system, which the likes of former NRL player Denan Kemp have labelled outdated.

With the NRL cracking down on dangerous contact in recent years, there has been a surge in player suspensions.

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Current rules state that any player suspended for two or more games throughout the season is ineligible to win the Dally M Medal or earn selection in the Team of the Year.

This year, it has seen the likes of Harry Grant and Joe Tapine ineligible, two who would have mounted a strong case for Team of the Year selection.

10 minutes ago

James Tedesco on Dally M chances

Ben Talintyre

The overwhelming favourite to take out this year’s Dally M has arrived, and James Tedesco seems … quietly confident.

Speaking with Channel Nine on the red carpet, Tedesco said it would be ‘pretty special’ to join the likes of Smith, Cronk and Hayne to win the top honour twice.

“It’d be pretty special (to win it again),” Tedesco said.

James Tedesco of the Sydney Roosters and partner Maria Glinellis arrive ahead of the 2025 Dally M Awards. Image: Getty

“The guys who have won this award multiple times are legends of the game, so to be up there would be pretty special. See what happens.

26 minutes ago

Last five Dally M winners

Ben Talintyre

2024: Jahrome Hughes and Olivia Kernick

2023: Kalyn Ponga and Tamika Upton

2022: Nicho Hynes and Raecene McGregor

2021: Tom Trbojevic and Millie Boyle/Emma Tonegato

Oct 01, 2025

When does the Dally M ceremony begin?

Ben Talintyre

The stars of the NRL and NRLW are already rocking up to Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney for the Dally M Awards evening.

But for the time being, fashion is the centre of attention as players and their partners rock up dressed to the nines.

However, let’s not forget what we are here for, the awards ceremony.

The red carpet is in full swing. Image: Getty

Here are the times for when it is set to begin:

8pm AEST: NSW, ACT, Qld, Vic, Tas
7:30pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
6pm AWST: Western Australia
10pm NZST: New Zealand

Oct 01, 2025

James Tedesco targets rare Dally M feat

Ben Talintyre

If, as expected, James Tedesco wins the Dally M medal for the second time, he will join a small but elite few to have won the prestigious award more than once.

Only Peter Sterling, Gavin Miller, Michael Potter, Cliff Lyons, Jarryd Hayne, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith have won the award twice.

Andrew Johns claimed the individual honour three times and Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston took it out a whopping four times.

Johnathan Thurston won the Dally M an incredible four times. (Photo by Cameron Laird/Getty Images)

So if someone is to stop Tedesco from winning it for a second time who could it be?

Oct 01, 2025

Full list of Dally M nominations

Ben Talintyre

Fullback: James Tedesco, Kaeo Weekes, Reece Walsh.

Winger (two winners): Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Kiraz, Xavier Coates, Xavier Savage, Zac Lomax.

Centre (two winners): Casey McLean, Herbie Farnworth, Kotoni Staggs, Rob Toia, Stephen Crichton.

Five-eighth: Cameron Munster, Ethan Strange, Matt Burton.

Oct 01, 2025

How does the Dally M voting work?

Ben Talintyre

For each match of the NRL and NRLW season, two independent judges hand out six points each on a 3-2-1 basis.

This means players can receive a maximum of six points per game, or anywhere between zero and five, in a controversial system adopted in 2023 that doubled the previous votes for each game.

Kalyn Ponga upset hot favourite Shaun Johnson for the 2023 Dally M medal. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

In that first year, Shaun Johnson was the hot favourite to claim the top honour, but Kalyn Ponga’s perfect six votes in the final round – when the Kiwi was rested – allowed the Knights superstar to grab the award by one vote.

Voting is public until round 12 before it goes behind closed doors.

Oct 01, 2025

Teddy can add to a glittering resume

James Dampney

At an age where most players are slowing down, James Tedesco kept producing the goods for the Roosters in 2025.

The powerful 32-year-old played every match this year, scoring 11 tries, producing 22 try assists and an NRL leading 164 tackle breaks.

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He also topped the competition with 521 runs and 4,862 run metres, averaging almost 200 metres per game, picking up his record-equalling fourth RLPA Players’ Champion award earlier this week.

That moved him level with Johnathan Thurston for the most RLPA awards, which are voted on by his peers.

Oct 01, 2025

NRL grand final just days away

James Dampney

There will be plenty of interest in tonight’s ceremony before focus shifts back to Sunday’s huge grand final between the Storm and Broncos.

Melbourne held off a gallant Cronulla last Friday night and earned some extra rest before Michael Maguire’s Brisbane side ended Penrith’s remarkable run of four straight premierships in Sunday’s second preliminary final.

While plenty of players can let their hair down at tonight’s season-ending event, those from the two grand final teams will be largely on the waters as they eye off the ultimate team prize.

Read related topics:Sydney

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